The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-03-29
Deccn1s Governor Tyler.

Editor of The Times.
Sir.-I have just read Governor Tyler
reply to his critics in yesterdays Times,
and consider it one of the ablest defenses
l have ever read. 1t is masterful, manly
and dignitied. It covers every point SO
thoroughly. that2to attempt to ADD any.
thing would be repetition.
Only by a bold usurpation OF an au-5
thorty which he did not possess. by the
declaration of martial law could he have
held the troops at Emporia against the
sheriff's orders, and the Information IN
his possession at that time did not warrant
his SO doing. Even Major Cutchtus did
not realize the full gravity of the s.tua-
ton, and The Times correspondent. who
was on the spot, seems to have had great
confidence in the county judge.
Three years ago, at d time or great
excitement. the sheriff of Fairfax Cuun-
ty telegraphed Governor O'Ferrall for
troops to protect a prisoner on trial 1t
was stated at the time that shortly after
the request was withdra wn, but the CON-
ernor insisted on sending the troops. Inc
presence of the troops came very ne {
precipitating the very trouble they were
sent to avert, and the Governor was very
severely blamed by those people who
thought he insisted OIL sending troops
after the request was Withdrawn
The difficulty with the Governors crit
les seems to be that they judge OF his ac-
ton from the standpoint of--15aturday
eveninS-not Saturday morning. Could
he have ,foreseen the consequence of with
drawing the troops. or could h. have
known of the Sheriff's condition, no doubt
his action would have been different
But can he be blamed for not knowing
more than either the civil or military
authorities at Emporia told him?
I read with surprise and regret Prof.
S.. c. A1itchells structures on the Cover
nor. l know Prof. Mitchell we'll, and adj
mire and respect him, but 1 think his
attack was an appeal rather to the pas
sions than to the reason of his hearers.
What connection has the Parker go 4
brick case with this lynching? The
learned Professor jumps at too many
conclusions, as do the several legislators
who informed him that they will remedy
existing defects in our law when the
next Legislature meets. Have these gen.
tiemen forgotten that, unless they are
hold-over Senators, they must first be
elected before they can iegislate? And
have they forgotten that during the Lun-
enburg troubles a futile attempt was
made to get the Legislature to pass a
law to enable the Governor Chen O't'er-
ralD to do whet Governor Tyler Is now
criticised for not doing? Would these
same gentleman be: consistent enough to
endorse President. Mckinley for Federal
interference in Kentucky. where he would
find more warrant for intervention than
Governor Tyler could find in this case2
ITO err is human, to forgive divine"
Not the least commendable phase of the
Governors position is his attitude to-
wards his clerical critics.
The tragedy is to be deplored; but fix
the blame upon the proper parties, not
upon a man who acted only In obedience
to the law. The tendency is to blame the
most prominent party in any way con-
nected with an affair OF this kind. but /
am confident that when public feeling
has subsidized, and mems sober sense OF
Justice asserts itself. the conduct of Gov
'ernor Tyler will be fully indicated in the
public mind.
ROBERT A. HUTCHINSON.