Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1899-01-13
Message of Gov. Mount.

Condemnation of lynchings. nom
committal recommendations on the
controversy between state and non
state colleges. denunciation Of trusts
and lobbyists and legislation giving
he state board Of arbitration power
% enforce its decisions, were the fea-
lures OF the biennial message delivered
10y Gov. Mount to the Legislature on
Thursday. Great prominence was
given to the subject of lynching, the
governor citing recent lawlessneSs IN
Ripley and Scott counties, and saying
among other things:
Ali sense of justice and safety re-
volts against the mob as tribunal for
prOnouncing judgments or administer
ing punishment. 1t cannot be argued
that lax enforcement of law justifies
manifestation of contempt of courts,
and disregard for the law. Any cOun-
ty that can organize a sentiment to
prevent lynchers from being punished
can also organize against crime and
punish criminals in court OF justice.
Where lynch lawlessnesss obtains,
there justice is dethrOned and courts
are myths. The constitution and
laws of the state would there be tram
pied under the blOOdStained feet OF
brutal and lawless men If mob vio-
lence is to go unpublished, then hate
and malice will sit enthroned, and
passion, fired by intOXicatiOn and gov
erned by a spirit of revenge, instead OF
evidence. justice and the law. will rem
der insecure life and property. The
anarchist would welcome such cOndi-
| tons and would then feel licensed TO
proceed TO even up things according
to his dwarfed sense of equity.
Stringent Laws Urged.
Every person charged with crime
| has the right. under the constitution
and laws of the state, to a fair and
impartial trial. For a better guaran-
| tee OF this right and to awaken a
| more lively interest in the counties
| against lynchings and white-cappings,
| recommend the enactment of a law
making the county responsible for
such conditions and liable in a civil
suit for damages. In the case of
! lynching, the nearest of kin should be
authorized to institute the suit, and
| for the offense of white Gaping the
| aggrieved party should have the right
TO recover damages. Any sheriff who
permits prisoner to be taken from
| his custody by a mob should be re-
| quired by law to forfeit his office.
Lax enforcement of laws eventually
results in the people taking the law
| into their own hands. All good citi-
zens should feel a keen interest in the
| enforcement OF the law. They should
be willing and ready to testify before
| the grand jury or in court or to sit
upon juries. The judge who will al
low technicalities and dilatory motions
to delay or thwart justice is in some
/, degree responsible for the terrible
crime of lynching, and the judge who
condones this crime and by word JUS
| titles such lawlessnesS has not the
proper regard for the high functions
| the bench.
In recommending the enactment CT
q strict primary election law the
| governor says:
The safety and perpetuity of free
| government is in the keeping of the
| people. If corrupt men are selected to
make laws. and if incompetent men
| are chosen to fill official positions, then
evil results are certain to follow. The
nomination for candidates for office
should be SO far removed as possible
from the dominance of political lead
ers and ring politicians, giving to al
voters an equal, free and untrammeled
| right to be heard in the selection o1
| candidates.
Previous to the reading of the mes
sage the republican organization states
were adopted by both branches of the
| legislature.