The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-08-24
Appoints Court Of Inquiry for
Affair al StateSbOTO
NO EXCUSE FOR MOB'S ACT
Governor Of Georgia Says He Left the
State Under the Apprehension That
There Would Be No Troub-
Ie at Statesboro.

Atlanta, August 2s--On his return from
ST. Louis today. Governor Joseph NJ. Ter
rell, held conference with Sampson w.
Harrison. adJutant general Of Georgia, IN
which the recent statesboro lynching
was discussed. The conference terminated
with the appointment of court OF In
quiry to investigate the conduct Of the
militia from which the mob took the
prisoners.
The court is composed of the following
gentlemen:
Col A. r. Lawton. (retlred) OF savan-
nah. president; Col. W. e. Wooten OF
Albany: Lieut-Col. W w. Barker of At
lanta: Maj. r. L. wyliy of Thomasville.
aud Capt. Warren Grice of Hawlxinsvilie.
After the appointment of this court
Governor Terrell. issued the following
staten ent:
II was greatly surprised and shocked
over tho Statesboro occurrence had
been advised of the necessity of sending
to statesboro, during the trial of the
murders Of the Hodges family. a military
guard for the preservation OF peace and
order. which 1 did Before my departure
for st. Louis, I was informed that tho
trial was proceeding orderly and that no
whore was there any evidence whatever
OF an intention on the part of those pres
ent TO interfere with the regular ad-
ministration OF justice. The Judge, ths
sheriff and the commanding officer all
reported that quiet and order had mark
ed the proceedings and that no outbreak
was In the least apprehended.
Felt Greatly Relieved.
Il felt greatly relieved over the sltua-
ton and left the state for st. Louis on
official business connected with The Geor-
gia exhibits. L was proud to know that
the people OF Bulloch and surrounding
counties were just and brave enough to
give to the wretches, though guilty of
robbery, arson and many times murderers.
fair and impartial trial and let the
law take Its natural and orderly course
l was therefore not prepared to believe
as true the news which received en- route
of the action Of the mob, so horribly re-
voting and sickenlng In It's details.
II have been greatly mortified over the
crime OF this mob. l take comfort In the
fact that 1t did not represent the senti-
ment of this state, for its action Is con-
demened by large majority of the people
Of the state and as for that matter, of
Statesboro and Bulloch county, the scene
of the crime. No defense can, and no
apology should be made for this action
OF the mob. 1t should be denounced by
law-aDiding citizens everywhere. The
wretches whose lives were taken deserved
death, yet 1t is unquestionably true that
no man who took part in the homicides
had the right to infict 1t. The crime
against these negroes Ia of but small I'M
portance compared with the great crime
against the law. The law has been whip
peu, overcome and trodden under foot by
the mob The negroes may not have, de-
served better but surely the law did.
Regrets Inability Of Military.
'I regret exceedingly the military did
not preserve the peace. They were sent
there to see that the law was enforced and
that peace was preserved at all hazards
They represented with the civil authorf-
ties the majesty of the law and when
the civil and military authorities failed
to enforce the law. whether or not it was
their fault and the mob succeeded, then
there was a triumph of lawlessness over
law. I do not censure either In the alb
sence OF thorough investigation.
I'm accordance with the report and REQ
ommendation of the adjutant general I
have ordered a court of inquiry composed
of fair, conservative and competent off,
GERS to Investigate the action and con-
duct OF the military on that occasion.
shall request the civil authorities. the
court so outraged. to do it's utmost to
bring the offenders against its dignity and
the majesty of the lay to speedy and swift
Justice"
The court of inquiry will convene on
Thursday In Savannah.