The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-04-24
IN A FRENZY.
Georgia People Are Wild Over
Recent Crimes
Committed by Negroes and Are
Bent on Revenge.
3 LYNCHED ALREADY.
And the Mob Is in Pursuit of
Others.
Mrs. FELTON, Still Favors Kill
ing 1000 Week.

Atlanta, Ca, April 24.-The series of
crimes which began with the burning
of Palmetto by incendiaries, the lynch
ing month later of four negroes by
the whites of that little town in retail
alton, to be followed ten days ago by
the murder of Alfred Crawford and the
criminal assault of his wife, for which
the negro, Sam Hose was burned at the
stake yesterday, has reused the people
of Georgia and the south into a frenzied
discussion of the social problem re-
vealed.
The question of protection for the
white women in the sparseIy settled
farming districts is the topic of the
day. The Atlanta Constitution today
devotes a page to a collection of opin-
ions on how proper protection can be
afforded to the women of the country.
OF the matter, Governor Gambler has
this to say:
THE question of protection for wo-
men and homes in the country is one of
deep interest. I think the wisest plan
for protection will be for the Iegisla-
ture to take up the matter and provide
a sufficient state militia and funds to
be expended for patrol in the country
districts"
Former Governor William ]. North
expressed himself as follows:
My first suggestion is that all homes
should be made miniature arsenals at
least to the extent of one good Win
chester and one good pistol; that wo-
men be allowed to carry weapons and
taught the use and handling of fire
arms, so that they may become their
own protectors in the absence of the
husband or master of the house. An
occasional negro lying dead in the back
yard, shot by a brave woman in defense
of her honor will do more to stop this
awful crime than all the lynching that
may occur in year. I would have
every county supplied with at least half
dozen well trained blood hounds. 1
would have an organization of at least
20 men in each county, who should have
supervision of all lawlessness and dis
orders in the county,
Mrs. Louis Gordon, a prominent fig
ure in society, not only in Atlanta but
throughout the southern cities, favors
the equipment of company of militia
by each county. She says:
THE Mexican government has a kind
of rural soldiery having the power to
hold a drumhead court martial and to
shoot the criminal caught if he is found
guilty. The per cent of crime is lower
in Mexico than in this country and
train rObberies are scarce and yet
trains are loaded with silver and bull
lion. 1t seems it would be a wise in
Vestment for our farmers to add fund
to what should be contributed by the
legislature to provide an up to date,
we'll equipped sufficient military force
towns which with the good moral effect
it would surely bring would produce a
sense of safety which would drive fear
away from shrinking hearts,"
Mrs. H. FELTON,, who produced a SEN
SatiOn by her assertion at an agricul-
tural convention two years ago, that a
thousand negroes should be lynched ev-
cry week until the outrages stop, says
she has no reason to change her opinion
Attorney General Terrell favors a bet
ter enforcement of the criminal laws.
He says: THE means of enforcing
our criminal laws would be very ma
terially improved if a system of county
police were established in every county
in the state.'
s. NJ. Inman, one of the wealthiest
citizens of Atlanta, thinks the trouble
could be averted if employers in the
country would investigate the charac-
ter and antecedents of the people they
employ"
iff of each county should organize
regular posse of competent and de-
termined men who would be ready at a
moments notice to respond to his call
and in addition thereto to maintain a
pack of trained dogs to follow the trail
when a crime is committed in his coun-
ty. No expense nor effort should be
spared to discover the criminal and
bring him to justice.
women may assist in their own pro-
lection by becoming familiar with the
use of firearms and having them at
hand when the occasion demands. 1t
is not the duty of the military to hunt
criminals but to assist the civil authori-
ties in protecting them when called
upon"