The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-09-20
STRONG CHARGE BY
JUDGE PARTRIDGE
Discusses Negro Question Be-
fore the Grand Jury
BAD EXAMPLE OF WHITES
Thinks Much of the Crime Committed
BY Negroes Is Result of Elk
ample Set BY White
Men.
BAD EXAMPLE OF WHITES

Selma, September 19-(Special 1.-The
charge of Judge Daniel Partridge. Jr.
to the grand jury empaneled at noon To-
day has created nothing less than a sen-
sation. The court room was filled when
court was called to order, there being
many spectators present called by the in
tense interest that is felt over the charges
against the three white men who are in
jail for having participated in the lynch
ing of Edmund Bell one Saturday af-
ternoon near Sardis. on what Is commonly
called 1.-The Southside." There were many
others present who wanted to see how the
young judge would preside over the court
In his native county.
The grand Jury selected is as follows,
and consists of only five citizens of Sell
ma, the rest being from the country pre-
cincts: Herbert Brown, foreman; Jacob
Strom, Edward Graham, M. W. Nicholson,
Edward f. Smoke, Isom Pylant, s. s..
Bell, Frank Nunnelle. G. w. Skinner. j..
w. Majors, d. M. Nichols, w. j. Tern
plin. J. r. Stuart. s. M. Arlington, w.
p. Walker, o. NJ. Brazelton, w. A. Por-
ter and w. NJ. Hopkins.
Talks of the Negro.
Judge Partridges charge occupied fully
an hour and half and was devoted to
the condition which surrounds the atti-
tude of the whites toward the negroes.
His charge was a plea for better treat
ment of the negro and he scoffed at the
argument that was put forth of the BEN
eft derived by the negro from coming IN
contact with the white man, by the same
L. kl...k FUh
kills a negro he should be accorded I'M
munity from punishment.
He like.led the negro unto child and
asked what sort Of influence fatner
would have over a child though he read
him most beautiful theories of morality
and dprighteousness If hes walked IN
desolute ways himself and the child
knew 1t.
He urged that the time was now come
to put a stop to lawlessness and asked
the jurors what they thought of man
who with a political contest upon us,
with the north seeking opportunities for
criticism. would undo all that years had
accomplished and condone and assist in
the commission of the horrible crimes that
have shamed the south.
Due to ExampIo of Whites.
He wanted to know what sort of man
tic mind of the children of the age into
believing there was one law for the white
man and another for the negro. He paint
ed the faithfulness of the negro In the
war and at other times and pointed out
that his retrogression had been brought
about by the example set before him by
the white and the many acts Of cruelty
for which the courts had failed to pro-
vide punishment.
The charge was delivered without at
tempt at 1ratorical effect but In a calm
conversational tone and despite its un-
usual length was listened to with closest
attention.
After the adjournment of court little
groups of whites might have been seen
discussing the charge, some dissenting in
its wisdom some approving, some assert
ing that it would have the opposite effect
from what the young judge desired The
calm dispassionate view is that 1t was
the boldly spoken convictions of an hon
est heart without fear or care for Its
effect but with the hope 4hat 1t would
awaken the grand jury to the duty that
Is before it.