The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-08-24
NEGRO EDITOR
ON RIGHT TRACK

A. w. Burnett. the negro editor OF The
Atlanta New Era, newspaper published
for the negroes of the city had a woman
Of his race arrested last Thursday on the
charge Of acting in a disorderly manner
on the streets.
lie called for an officer and accom-
panied the woman to the police barracks
and had himself subpenaed as a witness
He said he was not only acting for tie
good of the town. but for the good. of
his race, as it was such characters, he
believed. as the woman he reported who
are causing the negro race more trouble
than anything else.
Burnett made O round of the resorts
frequented by negroes of dlsreputable
character last night and the first wo-
man he saw who appeared to be acting
in disorderly manner he had arrested.
He says since the new vagrant law has
been passed he will make it his bust
ness to protect the better class Of ne
groes against the lawless and profligate
Burnett saw Lulu Osborne. a woman
notorious In police CIRCLES. standing in
front of a saloon near the corner of
Decatur and Butler streets and thought
saloon. Burnett went hurricdly after an
officer and the woman was soon behind
the bars
Burnett repeated in court Friday MORN
ing under oath what he said at the po-
lice barracks Thursday night, when he
had the woman arrested.
Lulu Osborne denied she had acted In a
disorderly manner. but the positive testi-
mony of Burnett made the recorder pay
little heed to her plea Of not guilty.
It was something unusual to see a ne
gro appear in court as the prosecutor of
n woman of his own race. and the trial
was commented on by those present and
favorably to the negro editor.
The Osborne woman was arrested
Thursday night on complaint of Burnett,
who reported to the police that she had
been cursing and using indecent languag sc
on the streets.
II am here" said Burnett In court.
'to prosecute a woman of my own race
and color. We. of the better class of
negroes in the south feel that the worth
less negroes are mainly the cause Of our
people having so much trouble and of be-
ing unjustly criticised. Several Of us In
Atlanta have decided to assist the officers
of the law in prosecuting negroes who
will not work, but who hang around or,
the streets, a menace to society and to
our race. When are judged as a
race, the white people look upon us as
a whole, and the licentious element
among the negroes communicates the
whole race. "A little leaven leaveneth the
whole lump If we can only stop the
prohigate Of our race from defyfng So
ciety and good order. We Will take IL
great step toward placing the negro
race in its proper sphere before the
world IT is this sentiment which brings
me to this court today to see that JUS
tice is neted out to this negro WON
an for conducting herself In manner 10
bring reproach upon my people.
Burnett then told about hearing the
woman curse and use the most indecent
language on the streets where people
passing might have heard her.
The woman was fined $lo75 for mel
conduct on the streets She could MOI
pay the fine. and was sent to the STOCK
adc for three weeks
Acting Recorder Girardeau compliment
oG Rurnctt on the stand he had taken
and said that the police would SreatlN
appreciate the efforts of any good nesrot;
who wished to give their race a chahct
10 show the people they dld not coun'e
nance the misdecds of those VINO Vioiate'
,1,a lou and 1ptip1 society.