The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1902-10-16
MASSACHUSETTS, AN ASYLUM FOR
SOUTHERN NEGRO CONNECTS.
Wilmington Messenger.

Some time ago when Governor
Davis OF Arkansas, agreed to pardon
a negro convict, who had applied for
executive clemency, on condition that
he would go Immediately to Massa-
chusetts and make his future home
in that state, he was denounced by
the press in some sections OF the
country and ridiculed by that OF
Others. He received cOmmendatlOn
from IA few newspapers. Governor
Davis object III attaching this con-
dition to the negrO's pardon was to
give the New Englanders an oppor-
tunity OF exercising that philanthro-
pic disposition toward the baser
class OF negroes that they were con-
tinually claiming existed in their sec
ton in contrast to his treatment at
the south.
Judging from the recent action OF
Governor Crane, OF that state, he IS
inclined to fall in line with the idea
OF Gov. Davis and make his state a
home for the negro criminals OF the
south. 1t is sincerely hoped he will
continue to act upon this and let 1t
be generally known that all negroes
who commit crimes in the south will
be given safe asylum in his State. Ii
this news could be spread broadcast
among this class of our negroes, and
the state authorities here would ex-
ercise IL little discretion in the matter
of making arrests Governor Crane
would be enabled to carry out his
cherished ideas to a pretty full ex-
tent. This plan would save the
southern states tremendous expense
i'll the way OF trials and supporting
in prison these negro convicts and
would rid them OF many an Oblec-
tiOnable citizen. Instead of having
the criminal turned loose upon the
people as soon as his term OF i'm
prisonment expired, to prey upon
their goods and chattels or put their
lives i'll jeopardy, he would be gotten
rid of for all time to come.
In one case at least, Governor
Crane has acted upon the suggestion
OF the Arkansas Governor and
thrown the protection OF his State
about IL negro criminal from the
south. A negro named MOnrOt
Rogers, being charged with burning
il dwelling house in Durham county
in this state, fled to Massachusetts
| where he was arrested. Requisitior
| for his return made by Governor Ay
| cock has. 50, far. been refused, anC
the officer sent to bring the prisoner
back has returned without him
| Rogers does not deny his indemnity
and admits that he committed the
arson. The only opposition to his
return is the pretended belief that he
will not be permitted a trial, but viii
| be lynched as soon as he reaches
Durham; and this the governor 0
| Massachusetts pretends to believe
and says he will not order the mans
return until he is convinced there il
no danger of this. This is so pre-
pOsterOus, so absurd Il reason tC
| give for refusing eXtraditiOn of the
criminal who cOnfeSSes to having
committed Il capital crime that one
is greatly inclined to doubt the sin
| cerlty OF the governor or to charge
him with gross ignorance. 1t may
be pure spite and determination tt
i'll every way possible thwart The
officials OF southern states in theil
endeavors to punish negroes who
| commit grave crimes and to prOtec1
the latter in their Expectations upon
the property of the white people.
| II Governor Crane has made up hi:
mind to refuse eXtraditiOn for negro
criminals from this State we say LEI
as many Of our criminals of that race
as possible escape to his state. lie
it be known that if they go there NJ
attempt will be made to bring then
| back.
| Whatever may be Governor Crane!
motives, his action is gross libel OF
the people OF this state, whose courts
are as clean and where Justice is ~
evenly meted out as in those of hi
own state, and our people are as up
right and law abiding.