Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-01-14
.s47,o96,2Oo
Lynching Suggestion.

Referring to the enforcement OIL the
criminal laws of the State, the governor
writes at some length concerning his ef-
forts in that direction, and says, In part
after referring to recommendations in
previous message
believing that lawlessness 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 le-
gal remedies were inadequate, without the
stimulus of energetic and courageous ac-
tion on the part of the people, who to some
extent seemed intimidated and unwilling to
act in the premises through mere considera-
tion for good government, l recommended
the adoption of strong and radical laws
along that line for the awakening OF the
officials and the people to more strenuous
efforts in the enforcement Of the laws, as
means for the prevention of crime rather
than as a reward to the families of the
victims as some have seen proper to mis-
construe perhaps for political purposes.
.'The legislature took no action in refer
enee to the subject matter, and feel much
regret at having to report that the law
breakers appear to have taken fresh cour-
age since that time, as is evidenced by the
fact that forty-nine lynchings for alleged
offenses 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 lawlessness
known as 'whitecapping have occurred in
several counties of the State; houses have
been shot into at night and several negroes
thus assassnated by unknown parties,
which homicides are not included in the
number of lynchings above. These latter
instances of vengeance and assassination
can find no excuse, justification or pallia-
tion and augur much increasing danger to
the future success of the State and happi-
ness of the people. Be it 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 it 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, l offer the court records,
which show larger increase of convictions
| for all manner of offenses-incuding forty
| five 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
| ish the guilty If given an opportunity, and
| takes away all excuse of punishment by in
| dividuals.
.sThis condition of affairs calls loudly
! upon the legislature for courageous action,
| uninfiuenced by considerations other than
| for the public good. ! need not remind
| you that governments become impotent and
| society degraded when principles and JUS
1 1T 1ir,at tod TO ha mai mr.
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.
| Il submit the wisdom of a serious inves-
| tigation into the violent outbreaks of law
| 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
/ of the labor of the country. and the lives
and property of the people"
And in conclusion, he says; In 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
teharge of the difficult duties of the Office
| TO which their sufrages elected me. l de
/ sire also to make public acknowledgment te
! 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 TIT your de-
| liberations will be characterized by that
| wisdom. justice and conservatism which
| will rebound to the success of the people
and the fair name and progress of Missis-
| sippi, / have the honor to be,