The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-24
GOVERNMENT TAKES ACTION.
Rewards offered for the Arrest of
the Members of the Mob.


the Members of the Mob.
Washington, Feb. 2S.-.The postofflce de-
partment and the department of justice
took action to-day in regard to the killing
Of the colored postmaster, Fraser b. Ba-
ker, at Lake City, s. c., yesterday, by
mob composed of white people.
At the postoffice department this sum
mary killing of one of the appointees Of
that department was officially resented in
the shape of rewards offered by the post
master general early in the day. The dis
continuance of the office was also order
ed.
Before taking these rigid steps, the At
torney General was conferred with, and
he, too, promised to take the matter up
for official consideration, which he did
during the day.
Postmaster General Gary took up the
matter with Fourth Assistant Postmaster
General Bristow, the first thing after he
reached his office, and 1t was decided to Of
fer a reward of $500 for the arrest with
proof to convict, of the members of the
mob who shot Postmaster Baker and $500
for those who set fire 10 the postoffice.
The office at Lake City was ordered dis
continued indefinitely. The nearest office
is now three miles away. This action was
taken 10 PUNISH tne people OIL the Hllle
town who have boycotted the office ever
since the negro was appointed, and some
Of whom have repeatedly shown their dis
like for the negro official by demonstra-
tons of various natures, some of them be-
ing attempts to mob him.
Even before this last fatal demonstra-
ton the postoffice officials had been Sc
riously considering the step of closing the
office. One of the inspectors sent there by
Ts.-, ITr,V,a 4 i
that this was the only way in which TO
end the trouble, so it is said. and it is be-
lieved by some that the likelihood of the
discontinuance of the office was the last
straw that broke the camers back and
caused yesterdays outbreak of the law
less element at the place.
When Fourth Assis tant Postmaster Cen
eral Brstow was asked whether the dis
continuance of the office at Lake City
was permanent or temporary he replied:
I'VE may take them back into the Union
later on; it's owing TO Developments"
Attorney General Griggs took the mat
ter UP during the day and telegraphed to
United States District Attorney Lathrop
of South Carolina, asking him to aid him
ell he possibly could in bringing the gull
ly parties to justice. The federal govern
Inent, of course, has jurisdiction only C
punish the breaking open and burning of
the postoffice and the Interference with the
United States mail. As TO the killing of
Baker, the state of South Carolina has the
jurisdiction to punish the murderers, but
the opinion is expressed by some of the
post officials Assistant Postmaster Gen
eral Tyner in particular, that the perpe-
traitors of the crime can never be convict
ed by a jury in South Carolina, which
would probably be composed partly OF
some of the members of the mob itself
The postofice department may dispatch
inspectors to Lake City when the excite
Inent dies away to work up the cases fol
the United States, not being able TO trust
the local officials to this work on account OF
the fact that they are so well known il
the community. Then it is thought that Il
would be hazardous for them to attempt L
make that section their home after testi-
flying against the mob.