The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-04-25
Stirred UP; in the South Over
Social Problems.
MANY OPINIONS EXPRESSED
On Recent Events Which led to tho
Atrocioas Affair of tho Burning Of
Hose ut tho Stake-Thc Suggestion
ofn Rural Police Force to Prevent
Such Crimes rs Hose was Accused


OF crimes which began in the burning
OF Palmetto by incendlaries, the lynch
inss month later Of four negroes by
whites Of that little town in retaliation
to be followed ten days ago by the mur-
der of Alfred Crawford and the ravIsh-
ing of his wife In the same locality, for
which the negro Sam Hose, was burned
at the stake yesterday, have stirred the
people of Georgia and the south into a
frenzied interest in the social problems
which the crimes reveal. The discus
sion OF the crimes and the remedy for
the lawlessness has reached all circles
and the question Of protection for the
white women in the sparsely settled
farming districts Is the topic OF the day.
The Atlanta Constitution devotes a
page to collection of opinions on how
proper protection can be afforded to the,
women Of the south. or the matter,
Governor Gambler has this to say:
THE question OF protection for
women and homes in the country is one
Of deep interest. and which weighs upon
my heart. I think the wisest plan for
protection VIII be for the legislature to
take up the matter and provide a sufii-
Client state militia and funds to be ex-
pended for patrol In the country dis
trlcts."
Former Governor William j. North
expressed himself Us follows:
MY first suggestion is that all homes
should be made miniature arsenals, at
least to the extent Of one good Winches-
ter and one good pistol; that women be
allowed to carry weapons upon their
persons, concealed. II so desired and
that they be taught the use and hand
ling Of fire arms. SO that they may be-
come their own protectors in the alb
sence Of the husband or master Of the
house. An occasional negro lying dead
In the back yard, shot by q brave
woman in defense OF her honor, will do
more to stop this awful crime than all
the lynchlng that may occur In a year.
I would have every county supplied
with at least half dozen we'll trained
blood hounds. I would have an organi-
za,ion OF at least twenty men In each
county who should have supervision of
all lawlessness and disorders in the
country"
Mrs. Louie NJ. Gordon, n prominent
figure in society, not only In Atlanta,
but throughout the southern cities, fav
ors the equipment Of company OF
militia by each county. She says: "The
Mexican government has Kind OF
rural soldIery. having the power TO hold
a drumhead court martial and to shoot
the criminal caught II he Is found
guilty. The percentage OF crime IS low
er in Mexico than in this country and
train robberies are scarce and are load
ed with silver and bullion. II seems It
would be n wise Investment for our
farmers to add Z fund to what should
be contributed By the legislature to pro-
vide an up to date. well equipped suili-
cient military force for the counties. as
well as elites and towns which the good
moral effect 1t would surely bring would
produce sense Of safety which would
drive fear awayfrom shrinking hearts"
Mrs H. Elton, who produced n scnsa-
ton by her assertion at an agricultural
convention two years ago that thou
sand negroes should be lynchcd every
week until the outrages stopped. says
she has no reason TO change her opln-
ion.
Attorney General Torrcll favors bet
ter enforcement of the laws.
Inspector General Obear said:
women may assist In their own pro-
lection by becoming familiar with the
Use of fire arms and having them ut
hand when the occasion demands"