Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-01-16
Lynchine Suggestion.

Referring to the enforcement of the
criminal laws Of the State, the governor
writes at some length concerning his cf.
forts In that direction, aud says, in part
after referring to recommendations in a
previous message
"Bclieving that lawlessncss in the main
was greatly on the decrease, but finding
the above named species Of crime to be on
the increase furnishing encouragement and
excuse for other breaches of the law
against which the courts and ordinary lc
gal remedies were inadequate, without the
stimulus of energetic and courageous ac
tion on the part Of the people, who to some
extent seemed intlmldated and unwilling TO
act In the premises through mere considera
tlon for good government recommended
tie adoption Of strong and radical laws
along that line for tnt awakening OF the
officials and the people to more s'renuous
efforts in the enforcement Of the laws, as
means for the prevention OF crime rather
than as reward to the families Of the
victims, as some have seen proper to mis-
construc perhaps for political purposes.
"Thc legislature took no action in refer
ence to the subject matter, aud feel much
l'El'l ~ hhNlhR W ''p'lA Nhhl lu'
breakers appear to have taken fresh cour-
age since that time, as Is evidenced by the
fact that forty nine ynchings for alleged
ofrenses running from larceny and slander
to rape and murder have occurred in the
State since the adjournment of the legisla
ture in 1900 In addition to this startling
record, other outbursts of awessness
known AS 'whitecapplng' have occurred in
several counties Of the State houses have
been shot into at night and several negroes
thus assassnated by unknown parties,
which homcideS are not included In the
number Of lynchings above, These latter
instances of vengeance and assassination
can find no excuse, justification or paliia.
tlon and augur much Increasing danger to
the future success of the State and happi-
ness of the people. Re 1t said to the credit
Of the judges and district attorneys they
have In every instance measured fully up to
the duty Of their positions, holding special
terms Of court when 1t seemed necessary
and showing a readiness at all times TO
meet any and every emergency which con
fronted them, If further proof of this fact
be demanded, offer the court records,
which show larger increase of convictions
fvc persons convicted and hanged on the
gallows, eight of whom were white men.
This four years record of legal hangIngs,
exceeding perhaps the records of any two
decades, gives ample guarantee of the eff
cheney and certainty Of the courts to pun.
lsh the guilty II given an opportunity, and
takes away all excuse of punishment by in,
dividuals.
"Tbis condition OF affairs calls loudly
upon the legislature for courageous action,
unlnfuenccd by considerations other than
for the public good, need not remind
you that governments become impotent and
society degraded when principles and JUS
ticc are subordlnated to the narrow puf
poses Of partisan policies SO often agitated
by selfish men who would poison the body
polite with prejudice and destroy its bust
ness If necessary to accomplish their own
selfish ends.
II submit the wisdom of a serious nycs
tigation into the violent outbreaks of lew.
lessness In the State, including whitecap,
ping in some of the counties particularly
in portions Of Lincoln, Franklin and Amite,
and recommend the passage of such laws as
your judgment approves for the protection
and property Of the people
And in conclusion, he says; I'm closing
this, my last public communication as gov
ernor, ] desire to tender to the people Of
Mississippi my earnest thanks for their
kindness to me in the past and the support
which they have accorded me in the dis.
charge Of the difficult duties of the office
to which their sufTrages elected me- de.
sire also to make public acknowledgment to
the legislature, the State officers, their as
sociates and employees, and to the Judges
Of the supreme Court for the very valu-
able assistance which they have rendered
me. Confidently believing that your de.
llberatlo1s will be characterized by that
wisdom, justice and conservatism which
will rebound to the success Of the people
and the fair name md progress of Missis.
slppi / have the honor to be-