Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-25
PROTECTION FOR THE HOME
Rural soIdicry Suggested ns Safe
guard Against Prevalent
Crime.

crimes WHlCu btbuu Win NlN 'NAA mus wa
Palmetto by incendiaries, the lynching a
month later of four negroes by the whites
OF that little town in retaliation, to be fol-
lowed ten days ago by the murder Of Alfred
Crawford and the criminal assault of his
wife, for which the negro Sam Hose was
burned al the stake yesterday has stirred
the people of Georgia and the south into
frenzied discussion of the social problem.
The question of protection for the white
women in the sparsely settled farming dis
tricts is the topic of the day, The Atlanta
Constitution today devotes page to a col
lection of opinions on how proper protec-
tion can be afforded to the women OF the
country. OF the matter Governor Gambler
has this to say:
THE question of protection for women and
homes in the country is one of deep inter-
est and which weighs upon my heart.
think the wsest plan for protection will
be for the legislature to take up the matter
and provide a sufficient state militia and
funds to be expended for a patrol in the
country districts"
Former Governor William j. Northen ex-
pressed himself as follows: My first sug-
gestion is that all homes be made miniature
arsenals, at least to the extent of one good
rifle and one good pistol; that women be
allowed to carry weapons and taught the
use of handling firearms, 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 brave woman in defense of
her honor, will do more to stop this awful
crime than all the lynchng that may occur
In a year. / would have every county sup
piled with at least half dozen well trained
bloodhounds. | would have an organization
OF at least twenty men in each county who
should have supervision of all lawlessness
and disorders in the country
WOman's Remedy.
Mrs. Louie NJ. Gordon, a prominent figure
in society, not only in Atlanta. but through
out the southern cities, favors the equipment
OF a company of militia by each county.
She says: "The Mexican government has a
kind of rural soldiery having the power to
hold 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 robbcries are
| scarce, and yet trains are loaded with silver
| and bullion. 1t seems it would be wise
| investment for our farmers to add fund
to what should be contributed by the legis-
| lature to provide an up-to date, well
equipped, sufficient military force for the
| counties well as cities and 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. II. FELTON,, who produced a sensation
| by her assertion at an agricultural conven-
! tion two years ago that thousand negroes
| should be lynched every week until the
| outrages stop, says she has no reason to
| change her opinion.
Attorney General Terrell favors a better
enforcement of the laws. He says THE
means of enforcing our criminal laws would
| be very materially improved If system of
| county police were established in every
! county in the state"
| Hon. S. NJ. 1nman, one of the wealthiest
| citizens of Atlanta, thinks trouble could be
| averted If employers in the country would
| investigate the character and antecedents of
the people they employ.
| Inspector General Obear: 1.-The sheriff of
| each county should organize regular posse
| Of competent and determined men who could
| be ready at a moments notice to respond
| to his call, and in addition thereto should
maintain a pack of trained dogs to follow
the trail when crime is committed in his
county. No expense or effort should be
spared to discover the criminal and bring
| him to justice.
women may assist in their own protec-
| tion 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 authorities in protecting them when
called upon"