Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-01-20
THE TERRoRs OF MOB LAW.

lRichmond, Va, Times, Jan. l8, 1900. I
We take the following from the adj
torisl columns of the Roanoke Times:
From Newport News now comes the
report that the lynching OF young
Watts IN that city for an alleged Grim.
anal ass ult, few days ago, was ali q
horrible mistake. From the state
ments now made IL looks as il Watts
were the victim OF q woman's desire to
hide her shame The whole affair is
most revolving, yet it is an instances of
the miserable effe,ts OF mob violence
loo often have communities allowed
themselves TO be wrought up and led
into the commission OF deeds that thew
could not but regret upon calm refisc-
ton. In the case of Watts, If the
above statements are true, all Of the
facts would have come out in the
course of q fair trial and the Iynehinc
OF an innocent man avoided. or course
there are times when men are so much
worked upon by the horror OF the
crime committed that they can hardly
be expected not TO lose their heads q.
yet there are no cases in which the ex-
ercise OF the law would not be q better
coarse. The Watts instance is q strik-
ing example OF the result of over zeal.
QUE law and order committees.
We make this the occasion for relat-
ing a most remarkable Incident which
has recently oomc TO our kncWled ee.
hon, w. w. Baker, member OF the
House OF Delegates from chesterfield
county, gives US the story and in the
interest of law and order authorized
US to use it. In she same spirit ana
Tor the same purpose we publish it.
Some time ago citlzen of Chesterfield.
upon the complaint OF Q married wo.
man: WAS arrested on charge of
criminal Assault. The woman was
heard TO scream and the man was seen
10 run from the house. There was no
question es to his identity, because he
was well known to The community.
The woman declared that he had as.
saulted her and even went 80 far "a 20
show hnger prints upon her throat.
There was great Indignation in the
community and party was organic ed
TO lynch the man. But fortunately for
him, special grand jury was sum-
moned anu immediate steps taken TO
nave the case regularly tried in court.
Ar. Baker was foreman of the grand
jury, and although the evidences
against the man seemed to be concIu-
slve, ne determined to do everything
IN his power 10 get &C the facts. The
woman TOLD straight forward story.
and ID we have already said, exhibitsd
nnBer marks on her throat which, abe
declared, were inflicted by the prison-
or. After her testimony was gwen.
Mr.. Baker Impressed upon her the fncr
that this mans LIE was in her hands
shat II he wss guilty of the terrible
crime OF which sne had charged him
he deserves 10 Do hung, buI that il he
was not guilty she would be guilty. of
murder Ia swearing away his life. The
woman hually broke down and con-
isssed shat she hsu sold her story in
order to conceal her own shame and
me bruises on her throat were made
Dy her indignant husband because of
her infidehsy. Or course she grand
Jury uid not return true bill ana the
incident was closed
This shows how dangerous mob law
10. Human liberty and human life
are Precious and the organic law of the
land provides that whenever q man
has besn accused OF q crime he shall
have fair trial before q Jury OF has
peers and shall have the privilege OF
introducing testimony IL his own be-
helf. It IS the business of our courts
TO thoroughly investigate all such c,s.
30 and ascertain The exact truth. but
she mob does not pursue such q course.
The mOb acts upon Impulse and often
upon OK parto evidence and never
gives the accused che opportunity of
Introducing testimony TO prove his in
lucence. Nhen the mob rules no
mans life is safe, for the mob hangs
men upon she mere suspicion.