The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-09-26
LYNCHINGS AND
THEIR PEDIGREE
BEGINNINGS OF THE EVILS
FOUND IN PRIVATE PROSECUTION
OF CRIME. SAYS REV. DIR.
WILLIAMS.


Law-The officials Lax and Sleep
ing ComfortabIy-The Lineage OF
This Latest Outbreak Traced Step
by step From the First Great
Cause.
From the subject THE Pedigree of
Lynch Law" Rev. A. NJ. Williams,
pastor of Trinity Methodist Church,
last night discussed lynching and its
causes, with especial reference to the
result of constant waiting for indi-
vidual prosecution. instead of action
on the part of the authorities. The
text was taken from l Timothy is:
But we know that the law is good If
a man use it lawfully" Among other
things he said
THE increase of lawlessness in our
country is startling. Wise observers
have been declaring that we were in
an epidemic of crime. The contagion
seems to spread. The situation is suf-
ficiently alarming to call for the most
earnest study, the best directed effort,
and the most strenuous treatment.
The body polite is diseased and the
rational course to pursue is to do away
with the causes of the disease. 1 pro-
pose to discuss one that has been over
looked, but that I am sure accounts
largely for our unfortunate condition.
The treatment of crime has been
too much an individual matter rather
than a public concern. When law has
been violated the authorities have de-
pended on the interested party to pros
L.
pie and they are taught by object les
sons that law is a convenience of
which private parties may avail them
selves if they desire to prosecute. This
has degraded criminal law from a
public duty to a private quarrel.
Criminal law defines the rights of
man as members of a community, de-
clares what is injurious, and provides
means to protect the public. But our
policy reduces criminal to the same
class as the civil law. murderer
runs at large if his victims friends
do not urge his prosecution. The pros
ecution of burglary and other crimes
is left to the injured. Notwithstand-
ing our elaborate and expensive police
system, the vindication of law is left
to the affected individuals.
Illustration of Conditions.
The condition is illustrated in many
ways. Prosecuting attorneys in this
latitude refuse to use the agents in
their hands to detect crime
Retail merchants invoke the aid of
the authorities to suppress a competi-
ton violating the Sunday laws, and
are told to make the cases them
selves. The policy lottery evil is de-
nounced and the powers that be ex-
press willingness to raid, provided
private families do the detective work
and insist on action.
The saloon laws of Georgia are de-
fed, with police connivance. Only last
Sunday night a scene occurred on
West Broad street. A drunken man
was arrested in front of a saloon. with
its side doors wide open and men GO
ing in an out as freely as on any
weekday The drunken man was in
convenient to the private saloonkeeper
and so the law interferes. The law
breaking liquor house. however, that
tanked up the poor man, goes free.
No private citizen to put ii on the
docket and the policeman does not do
The Inevitable Results.
Under these conditions is II any
wonder that it falls into contempt?
Is it any wonder that there should be
resentment toward 1t as a personal
antagonist? Is it a marvel that there
should be a feeling of popular discon-
tent, manifesting itself in unwarranted
forms, but legitimate consequent of the
surrender Of the laws dignity :?
There are many ways in which the
results are manifested. First 1t rem
ders void a large class of very neces-
sary laws. laws for the prot ection of
society, the young, and the home The
proper theory of society is that the
police and court officers representing
the whole people will see that these
laws are enforced. These fat and WELL
paid functionaries get snugly fit in
their places and snooze away. When
demand is made that they should
make proof of their office the cry is
uttered, let interested parties complain
and prosecute and we will act.
The remedy is to return to the old
and proper theory. What is every
body's business is nobodys business.
The right remedy is TO demand that our
mayors, policemen, solicitors and bail
iffs detect all crime and enforce all
law. Turn the rascaIs out who do not
do so, turn them out either by the bal
lot or impeachment.
Emcient Punishment Needed.
Second The faithful demand for
the full enforcement of law, the impo-
sition of efficient sentences, the perse-
Nerance In demand that the sentence
be fully executed, lead to a charge of
persecution. Personalism has been so
woven into our penal methods that
prosecution and persecution are con-
sidered Synonymous.
Cad Bryan is a case in point. Those
who insist that this persistent defer
OF law and corrupter of morals shall
actually serve his sentence in jail are
painted as malignant BY the way, 1t
is reported among the heather and
Gashmir saith it, that the aforesaid
Bryan has been seen I'm Savannah sew
eral times since his hasty exodus
Personally ! would rather do him
favor than an injury. but | must
contend for the sacredness of law.
The North aud the south.
There is no good in such COMPARE
sons. rs are frequent of late. between
the North and the South In regard 10
lawlessness. Our whole country is
sick with the disease II is futile
to contend which is most Ill, and poor
consolation TO recognize the similarity
in symptoms.
But which. however. shows the bet
ter record in treating the policy lot
terry and Furnishing the gambler New
York or Savannah? al Adams has
nearly served his term in Sing Sins
while Odell and Bryan hout Georgia
Jails In the face In their freedom Sim
cere and strenuous enforcement Of law
by the duly constituted authorities
without regard 10 persons. absolves
Distressing Stomach Disease