New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-31
A SUBSTITUTE FOR LYNcHING.
SOMETHING LIKE A DRUMHEAD COURT IN CASES
OF ASSAULT By NEGROES

SOMETHING LIKE DRUMHEAD COURT IN GASES
OF ASSAULT By NEGROES.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir. The question Of lynching In the South. While
local in some OF its aspects has important bear
ing upon our National life and good repute' and Is
being discussed in all SO ,tions Of the country. The
cases growing out OF assaults upon women may
well be treated as class by themselves. justfying
p severity and promptness Of treatment when
would not be conceded were any other crime dealt
with outside the law.
Attempts have recently been made at meetings
held in the North 10 give an impression that the
stories are exaggerated that real cases Of outrage
are few. and that innocent negroes are purposely
accused from race prejudice. careful study OF
the situation conviuces that such IS not the case
and that the crime. as the generation or negroes
u no have grown up since the war has come into
rranhood has been and is on the Increase The stua
ton AT the South IS peculiar and difficult the
homes are scattered and often remote from any
nelghbor. and that the head Of a family cannot go
away without apprehension that the women OF MS
household may be assaulted IS an intoleraole state
OF things-one that no community should leave any
thing undone TO put end to. How TO do II Is the
CRYING question Long experience has shown that
the ordinary processes OF law are inadequate ana
ineffective Swift punishment is Justly demanded
and under the methods of the courts and the long
established usages Of the law, which In their anx-
ietv 10 protect the individual have come 70 make
conviction OF criminal extremely slp bs ana
IN as the only alternative. and while Doubtless
Northern communities. under the same SlIc I'm.
stances would have done the same thing, the tect
that innocent persons are s0nieLlnIes 49, NJ
shocking exhibitions OF brutal ferocty ana crGeiy
and that all disregard oL a", srPpe-aai -
where human life Is concerned tends 70 aenor az
a people and put them back into DarDaris,h itahSs
II most desirable that some means should be fOund
70 DO away with r. What can ne done Wnere a
iow has been continuously and Systematically dis
regarded and overridden In a community Tor long
period of time Il IS sate 10 assume OIa. ~ -
quate and useless. and that such y me cass a.
regards assaults on women IN the soutis anu 1ieiI
punishment Is plainly eVldTn' ana one tesuls "a
violence and lawlessness II nas Deen sussSSssteu
that an intermediate way might De devised ~ilcn'
while preserving the forms and autnorIty OF Isw'
would deal with the crime Sharply ana ptOiuPCy,
and serve as a bridge back 70 the old methods
when circumstances become more favorable.
The plan Is thus outlined Let the Governor OF the
State appoint IN every township an officer whose
duty II shall he whenever an assault taxes place
and n accused person Is captured al once 70 take
charge Of him and call in six men at the place OF
tho assault or capture may be most convenient,
ana proceed forthwith 70 try the case, allowing
-ence and execute sentence on the spot In case
~ doubt the prisoner 10 be turned over 70 the
rude form OF justice, ana such Tribunals "ouiu
doubtless make mistakes, but Il Is worth consld-
ering whether some such plan would not De vastly
better than what goes on now ana seems sure 70
continue unless some remedy Is devised IL would
undoubtedly save some innocent lives, would IN
sIrA punishment under a sense OF public RESPONSE
SI..,. ~, tbose who administer H. which cannot be
the case with a mob. and would preserve 70 some
extent respect for the law. which the MOB always
considered justified by the exceptional circumstances
OF war We have here conditions which must os rec
oznized as exceptional and Of an aggravated nat
,JTa II NAV be OF use 10 discuss the question
whether something Ike a drumhead court Will be
know Il Is the only suggestion that has been made
looking 70 amelioration OF state or Things
which is reproach to our ct eylzai u qopxrSs
Washington d C.. May .. 1899.