The Burke County news. [volume] (Morganton, N.C.) 1899-1901, 1899-06-02
Leaves Negro Problem to Wiser
Heads Than His.
OLD MAN VERY BUSY JUST NOW,


L reckon there are enough pDllUso-
piers to solve the race problem and
save the country without further as
sistancc from inc, aud sH | will swear
off for the present. don't care much
whether the negro goes TO Africa or
Arizona or stays here. If he stays
here h has got to stop his devilment
or take tAe consequences. and I'm
willing to trust me people on that
lire. But Of all the absurd remedies
that nave been proposed none are more
SO than q change 0: venue and a trial
IN five days in some distant equity.
County Ines do not bound the fierce
Indignation Of a people Mortified and
enrnged over such 1iendish work as
that OF Sam Holt and Will Lucas.
And besides, just think Of the machin-
cry that has to be set in motion to
summons and convey thirty or forty
witnesses to a distant county, and even
then perhaps nc trial or n mock trial
that d~isregards the forms Of law and
the rights of the criminal. No, tina:
Is no remedy.
But I've sworn off. Let the wise
men settle it, tho L confess l was
surprised when I read that Gov
ernor Gambler had just discovered
that education was the only remedy
that would stop the commits
J sion Of these heinous crimes. Accord
, ing to statistics of New York and Mas
sachusetts, taken from their State pris-
n and published to the world, edu-
cation fosters and increases crime not
q little, but immensely. The COVER
nor's theory has been long since ex-
ploded. And right here in Georgia the
uneducated negro before the war and
for a few years after was moral and
law-abiding aad now there are 1900
in the State and county chaingangs,
IS per cent. Of whom can read and
write.
But [ forbear. I had rather rumi.
nate about pleasanter things, though ]
must protest against this utterly un-
tenable basis of all the negroes being
good negroes excepting 5 per ceut.
Mr.. 1nman started it, aud I see That
Bishop Gaines takes comfort from it in
his beautiful aud impressive sermon Of
last Sunday. 1t is q delusion and q
snare. Nearly 5 per cent. Of their vot
ing population are now il the chain
gangs, and 1t is safe to say that j
every one who steals was arrested ,ant
punished it would adj 10 per cent
more TO the black army of convicts.
Petty larcenies are common in every
household where they are employed
but they are not brought to cou:t
These little pilferings are crimes, hu
the crimes are condoned-overlooked-
for they hsve some good qualities
aud their service Is needed. 1t is
race trait aud develops with cduca
ton. especially among the youngc
negroes. The records of the court
prove that the percentage OF smni
larceny and burglary grows faster tina
their population increases. City ne
groes and town negroes are more al
d'cted to 1t than country negroes, 10
they have more education aud NOR
opportunities. The fear Of the law a
it is DOW does not detea them. Th
fear OF the lash would. But We ca
worry along with their little pilferinG
on the priaciple that a cook 70 ono
had declared to me when l reprove
lcr for stealing: You don't miss VIII,
| takes" 1t 10 the greater crimes IL,
nov give ou, people deep concern al
these will be Quickly and terribl
%aveaged. Our people. especially ii
; country people. are in desperate ca
) nest, aud neither law nor lawyers d.
the horns Of the altar will protect
: brute in human form, Wheeler he |
> white or colored.
? But what makes nv thoughts al