The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-26

the results have shown. As for the
sheriff, he probably had the sentiment
Of the community behind him, and is
prepared TO receive the abuse which his
neighbors are willing to accept with
him. Nobody viii directly suffer The
law was dehed, two men were hanged
without trial and the people may retur-
to their homes. there to remain until
there is another cry for blood.
The people OF the South realize how
much Of a reproach lynchtng has grown
to be in their section of the country.
Several state governors have under
taken to seek solution for the evil. and
do not hesitate TO call attention to the
fact that maintaining mob law is certain
to have bad effects in driving capital
and investors out Of the South and in
course of time may bring about a con-
tinuous reign of terror. endangering
every person who may have enemies or
who may be suspected Of crime. 1t Is
not denied that malefactors often get
only their Just deserts from the mob.
but there is fun appreciation OF the
fact that a community which empowers
the mob TO take the place of its courts
VIII in the end harbor low state Of
public morality. create disrespect for
law generally and gradually undermine
the safeguards enacted for the protec-
ton OF life. liberty and property.
The governor of Mississippi has had
this matter brought to his attention by
repeated lynching bees in his state. and
in his last annual message suggested
remedy which, while 1t might not result
In the punishment of guilty parties
alone, would, perhaps, in the course of
time render lynching unpopular. His
idea was to pass a law giving large
sum In the shape OF damages to the
family of any person hereafter lynched.
the money to be paid out Of the treasury
of the county where the outrage oc-
ours. 1t is the governors theory that
mob law Is generally administered by
people Of standing in the community,
and he thinks IL each taxpayer found
that every lynching affair meant a con-
siderable sum out Of his individual
pocket this class would in time refrain
from participating in mob violence and
eventually prevent others from doing 1t.
He also recommends the passage of
a law. which IL 1t had been on the
statute books of Virginia would have
prevented the crime of Saturday. 1t ls
that the office OF sheriff or a con-
stable who allows prisoner TO be taken
from him by mob shall at once be-
come vacant. This, he believes would
nerve those officials up to a proper dis
charge of their duties and make POSI-
tive dereliction and half hearted resist
ance matters OF less frequent occur
renee.
Both of these laws would be easy OF
enforcement and might be followed by
good practical results. II they were ef-
fective in Mississippi they would be
elsewhere and their enactment might
do no harm in states which pretend TO
be made up Of law-abiding people and
yet suffer mobs to wreak vengeance
upon suspected persons. 1t is dino
TO punish lynchers, for the reason that
It is too often asking the people TO in
fllct punishment upon themselves. II
they are TO be restrained by law 1t
would seem that IL might be done by
some heavy peeuniary penalty inflin--
ed indirectly according to s.atut.
such as the governor Of Mississippi pro-
poses.