The Tupelo journal., 1904-01-15
Lynchinu SUGGESTION.

Referring to the enforcement of the
criminal laws of the State. the governor
writes at some length concerning his eff
forts in that direction. and says, in part,
after referring to recommendations in a
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-
ton on the part of the people. who to som
extent seemed inundated and unwilling to
act in the premises through mere considera,
ton 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 a
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
ence 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
1dcU ludl lOTly-ulue ituCulHSS LOT alleged
offenses running from larceny and SANDER
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 assassinated 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-
ton 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. / offer the court records,
which show larger increase of convictions
for all manner of offenses-including 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.
"Thi condition of affairs calls loudly
upon the legislature for courageous action,
uninfuenced by considerations other than
for the public good. l need not remind
you that governments become impotent and
society degraded when principles and JUS
IT, go 9Th p1s "a fAl - %Io .--.
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 W
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 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: I'm closing
| this, my last public communication as gov
| ernor, l desire to tender to the people Of
| Mississippi my earnest thanks for their
kindnes 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 suffrages elected me. l de-
sire also to make public acknowledgment to
the legislature, the State officers. their as
| s~ociates and employees, and to the judges
of the Supreme Court for the very valu-
| able assistance which they nave rendered
me. Confidently believing that 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,