Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-28
tspecial to vlrgininn-pllot.l

rs.
Richmond, Va. March 27.-Judge w.
Samuel Goodwin and Commonwealth's
Attorney w. NJ. Powell. of Greensville
county, came TO Richmond to-day for
the purpose of consulting with the Cow
ernor in regard to melting out punish-@
ment to the fifteen hundred persons
concerned In the double lynchlng ut
Emporia OH Saturday, b
The two officers were not much irl-
clincd at first to discuss the matter.
but when they finally relaxed, some
very remarkable allegations were made
AS the Governor unloaded his RESPONSE
bilty on the Judge and the Sheriff, SO
the Judge passed 1t along to the mob.
A DRUNKEN SHERIFF.
Judge GOODWIN admitted, after long
and close questioning. that the civil
authorities were powerless and that
Governor Tyler would have been justi-
fled in declaring martial law. Judge
GOODWIN also stated that certain
phases Of the affair had not been put
into the Governors possession. That
he was not notified that Sheriff Lee was
drunk. In any other way that 1t was
necessary for him to appoint deputy
sheriff. #
GOVERNOR NOT NOTIFIED.
The Governor was not told that
threats had been made to dynamite his
tGoodwyn's) house; that the lives of (,
the commemorative Attorney and
Sheriff Lee were threatened If the
troops were not withdrawn; that the
wires were to be cut. and portion OF
the railroad track was to be torn up
and such other means resorted to suffi-
cient to interrupt any and all commu-
nication with the outside world.
Neither was the Governor notified
that the lives of the troops were threat
ened and that any one who dared
raise n hand To assist in any way the
removal of the prisoners was In danger.
Neither was the Governor told of the
absolute inability of the civil authorI-S
ties to restrain the angry mob, or to
enforce the execution OF the laws of the
Commonwealth.
DAMAGING ADMISSIONS.
These facts. taken together with
those with which the Governor was
made thoroughly familiar, Judge Good
wyn acknowledged, We're sufficient to
have him exercise the authority vested
in him to declare martial law, and
make the civil subordinate to the mill.
tary. Had he done this. no charge OF
the uSurping of his prerogativeS could
have been made.
Judge GOODWIN was asked why the
Governor was not told of the threats OF
=.ha-moh- Ha-Eanlied-tha at such-az
time and laboring under such excite
ment. that 1t was impossible for every.
threat to have been remembered Or
communicated to the Governor
Then the telegraph Office was con-
trolied by the mob and it was, as has
already been stated, necessary for him
to request the Governor to use anotheri
telegraph line to avoid the interrogation
and delay OF messages
The mob was in control" he adj
mitted. 1--WE made all kinds of prom
ises to the mob" said Judge GOODWIN.
land assured them that there would he
no escape for Cotton if they would only
allow the law to take It's course as
sured them that would call an extra
session of court and try him at once.
This would have been done YESTERDAY
had even gone so far as to promise
them to begin work on the scaffoId
Monday. which was yesterday.
II called the conference of the rem
resentatlve citizens of the town. =
asked them TO decide what was to be
requested OF the Governor and the.
troops. They assured me that thevi
would use their influence with the moi
to secure trial for the accused if thn5
troops were withdrawn 80
They knew of the plans that had
been made to shoot down members Of,
the mob. or their recognized leaders
and did they represent themselves a.
moh?" he was asked 49,
They appeared as individuals Thev
were not members of the mob. ana
do not hink any one could sneak fer
the troops Ii any attempt was made Ia
remove the prisoners.
Continued on Page 6.