The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-07-08
THEN He GOT OFF LIGHT
THE MAYOR THOUGHT $40 FINE
ENOUGH.
THE WITNESS WAS A NEGRO Girl
She Replied 10 an improper Question from
Lane by discriminating Both Her
self and Him. Much.
indignation.

Dave Lane. Il negro lawyer, was yes
terday the principal figure in a most dis
graceful scene in the mayors court.
In fact il was the most outrageous
professional conduct that a lawyer III
Raleigh has ever been guilty of. and 1t
made the blood of those that witnessed
il boil with indignation.
This thing OF carrion was employed as
attorney in a case against three negro
women-Sally Blacknall, Mamie Black
nall and Carrie Cope. They were cnarg-
ed with disorderly conduct. Whey
Chamblee, IL negro girl in short dress
was States witness. Lane asked her
an improper question-how she made her
living. She hesitated. The attorney in
sisted. She answered by discriminating
both herself and him. He arose, an
preached the witness and asked her to
repeat her answer. She did SO. The
words were hardly out her mouth before
Lane struck her a blow ON the cheek.
almost knocking her down.
''I'll have to fine you ten dollars for
that, Mr.. Lane quietly said Mayor
Powell. This case is at an end, as you
don't appear in it any longer. | dis
charge Carrie Cope and fine Sally and
Mamie Rlacknall $7.25 EACH
Lane protested that he had been in
suited The mayor told him protest
would do no good, that he must pay
his fine or go to Jail.
Alright I'll pay it, impudently re-
torted this disgrace to the bar, counting
ont five silver dollars.
MIR. Mayor. haven't got quite
enough. will step down to my office
and bring it up" he continued
MIR. Chief. will you send man with
him:'' asked the mayor.
NO, / will not replied Chief of
Police Mullen. You'll not leave this
room till you pay that money. If yon
leave. it will be to go to jail
''Wcll, give me check retortcd the
negro. siouching up to the mayors desk.
The Mayor complied. Lame wrote out
the check then tore it up. and called over
his shoulder to one of his friends in the
crowd to lend him So. The man said he
didn't have it.
''Well,' continued Lane. Ego up to
Mr.. Montague's office and tell him to
send me So
And with hands in his pockets he
staggered up and down in front of the
Mayors desk. The money came; he paid
it with the explanation that his temper
had gotten the best of him, and march
ed out with the air of Il conqueror.
Immediately the witness who had been
struck by the brute came forward and
swore out warrant against him for as.
sault and battery.
This case" chirped the Mayor, lis
set for 4 o'clock this evening"
But it was not allowed to wait so long
Lane heard of it, came up and submit
ted. The Mayor fined him SD He APP
pealed on the ground that the fine was
excessive. Instead of sending him to
Jail or making him give bond the Mayor
released him on his own recognizance.
If mans ears ever burned when peo-
pie were saying things about him, Mayor
Pcwelfs must be in a crisp this morn
ing
The greatest Indignation was expressed
on all hands, and by people of all classes.
conditions and colors, at the conduct of
the negro and the tender manner in
which the Mayor treated him thereafter.
The colored people feel especially out
ragged at the entire proceeding.
Fore God / jes' wish Marse Bill Russ
had been in dat cheer. Dat Dave Lane
Niger wouldn't never seen de light 'er
day no more 'ccpt though de bars
said more than one that had hitherto
been Lanes friends.
mere is none that better realizes the
truth OF this than Lane himself On
more tllan one occasion, in this very
court Mayor Russ has sharply called
nm down for attempting to brow-beat ii
witness. Mayor Powell should have
done the same long before the proceed
II
But he didn't
After it was done he ought by all
means to have imposed punishment in
some measure commensurate with the
crime-thirty days in jail at least But
now that such punishment was not in
fiicted the only thing that will save the
reputation of the court and its presiding
officer in this matter is to forever debar
tins negro from practicing in it.
ne cancerouS carcass of this Lane
is not worth the free advertisement it
has here received. but that fact must no.
allow it to 90 untouched of the dog
whip of exposure.
1t is an affair. not Of one attorney and
enc witness-and they negroes-but of
the legal profession and Of all witnesses
rights of lawyers ard the safety of wit
nesses upon the stand. And he that
considers II a small matter, to- be hut
lightly punished, is not the proper per
son to preside over legal investigations
or render judgments thereon.
HE sanctity of the witness stand and
1ne safety Of him who is called upon to
give evidence on oath must he preserved
at all hazards.
NOW thls witness was not on trial. The
answer to the question asked could in
no way affect the lawyers client. Was
u 10 impeach the Testimony of this par
tlcular witness: In doing this he would
have impeached his own clients. for thev
belonged TO the same class-all women
OF bad character. And what is more
the evidence was that this lawyer-foul
disgusting thing that he is-was with