The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-09-26
Is there no play
Undeseyed Condemnation of JeIks.

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The New York Evening Post. usu-
ally Just, fair and well-informed. goes
out OF its way to attack Governor
Jell1s in this unwarranted manner:
I'VE have several times called our
readers attention to the action Of a
white judge and jury In Wetumpka, Ala,
In severely furnishing some Of their white
neighbors who caught and hung an alb
solutely innocent negro, because his
brother was by some accused Of shoot
ing at white man. It was most en-
couraging happening, for It clearly
showed that some white men in the south
realize that the lynching evil has got
TO be put down. we just had to stop it
in this county," said the fearless sheriff
who made the arrests. This incident also
Showed how easy it is to obtain informa-
tion even against white men when the
proper authorities set themselves TO the
task, and we took pleasure in commend
ing Governor jerks for his prompt action
in offering a reward and insisting on the
arrest Of the criminals. With deep regret,
therefore. we record the fact that. being
a candidate for reelection, Governor
jerks has undone this good work ana
nullihed the effect of the convictions by
pardoning every one of the five prisoners.
including the one sentenced for life. The
only reason offered by any one is that the
governor did not wish to have his po-
litical adversaries accuse him of having
put white men in Jail for killing mig
ger" On this ground he released muir
deTers as red-handed as have ever been
punished in Alabama. 1t is a disgraceful
and diseouraging outcome of brave and
righteous action"
The lynching in question was
wholly unjustiied-all lynchings are,
for that matter. Governor Jelks' ac-
ton in the matter, together with that
of the sheriff of the county and the
solicitor of the court. but more par
ticularly of Judge benson in whose
circuit the cases arose, have been
widely commended, and deservedIy SO.
and nothing whatever has since oc-
Cured to lessen the value of their
services in behalf of law and order.
1t is not true that Governor Jelks
has pardoned every one of the lynch
ers. He has not pardoned the lyncher
who stirred up the entire trouble, who
led his neighbors into it, who promoted
the wretched affair Tie is still In the
penitentiary serving life term, and
there he promises to stay.
The other lynchers from Elmore
were pardoned because Judge benson
and all others familiar with the cir
cumstances of the crime, thought they
had been punished sufficiently and
recommended clemency on the part of
the pardoning power. No one In this
state blames Governor Jelks for his
action in the Elmore cases. The re-
tention in the penitentiary of the man
most active and guilty In the lynching
referred to continues to be a reminder
to all intending lynchers that the peni-
Tertiary yawns for all such offenders.
II the Evening Post would contrast
the condition of public sentiment on
this subject in this state at present
under Governor jerks with the condi-
ton that existed before he came into
Office, 1t would begin to appreciate the
value of the change that has been in
augurated. Alabama has reached the
point where no lynching can occur that
is not followed by judicial investiga-
ton, and the trial of some participant
In it.