The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-04-05
Lawlessness in Page.


religious.
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LaWleSsneSs in Page.
We do not like to make criticisms at
long range, but II appears from the news
paper reports that a deplorable state OF
things exists In the vicinity Of Ingram,
Page county. Va. IN February last a.
negro named Henry Henderson was pass
ing through that neighborhood, when no
was set upon by crowd OF whites and
mercllessly chased, UNTIL In his despera-
ton, he jumped into the river and was
drowned. The incident Is recalled by
the finding two days ago Of the body Of
the negro, and a correspondent writing
from Luray explains the incident by
stating that there Is an unwritten law
in that section which prohibits any negro
from passing through" David Conner,
one OF the men accused Of the crime,
was arrested and tried. but owing to In
SUFFICIENT evidence was discharged. The
/ other persons charged with being in1pli-
Gated fled the county before warrants
could be secured FOR their arrest
We know nothing about the "rnwritten
law" Of that section, or why it exists
but we do know something about the. law
OF Virginia, and 1t is very clear that
some persons In the vicinity Of Ingram
have flagrantly violated the law by caus-
ing the death OF an innocent person, and
the law should be indicated. No COM
munity has any right to make and en-
ecute law which is in conflict With the
laws Of the Land. and this "unwrittenl
law, which seems to be in force in Page
county Is rs merciless rs though It mad
been made by a band Of savnges In the
wilds OF Africa. 1t is alleged that the men.
who chased q this poor negro into the
river stood BY and watched his death
struggles without offering any assistance
whatsoever. We do not know this to DO
true, but 1t has been more than once
charged in public print There - Ger
tainly no denial that the negro was
chased to his death when ho had COM
mitted no orfensc whatsoever.
1t is said that upon the recovery Of
| the budy5,the@ Commonwealth's attorney
scene Of the crime and 1t is to tie hoped
that the authorities will exert themselves
to capture the men who caused the ne
gro's death and bring them to trialslt
is a shame upon our civilization that
such a heartless crime as this should be
perpetrated in Virginia, and it would be
u reflection upon our system OF justice
If the guilty persons should all escape.
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Separate Primary in Petersburg.
The city Democratic Committee Of
Petersburg have unanimously decided TO
hold n separate pria.dry for the noini-
nation of candidates for municipal offices.
The members Of the Petersburg commit
tee are wise. There is already abundant
evidence that thc state contest will be
lively and dlsquieting, and the CisY Conf
mittee of Petersburg desire to keep the'r
local contest out Of It. We Gelleve that
the same sentiment prevails in the Rich
mond committee We have number OF
| important local offices to fill. and there
|@is no sufficient reason why we should
mix up in ths State fight. The local can
| didates who pay the expenses are all IN
| favor OF separate primary. and there
is no reason why the voters should object.
1t is only a question of one days clec-
ton and few moments time for each
Voter.
| The marty authorities recognized the
principle involved In adopting the plan,
| ana provided that the committee In each
! and every city or county should nave
/ entire discretion in this matter, ana
should be permitted to call separate
primary If IN the judgment Of the CON-
mlttce It seemed desirable. II does seem
desirable, and is desirable, that our loca
contest In Richmond should be settlel
In a local primary, and We hope that ths
City Committee at its next meeting W" VII
co order Ngfa .t 1913