Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-04-14
A SHERIFF'S DEFIANCE.


That conditions are growing bet
ter in some sections of the South
land and worse in some others Will
hardly admit of a question The
telegraphic report which follows
demonstrates conclusively that the
sheriff of Franklin county. Mississip
pi believes that the United states is
part of Mississippi. instead Of Mis-
sissippi being a part OF the United
States. Here is the report:
Jackson. Miss. April S.-"Let
the United States government do it's
d--dest TO convict me. It won't
amount TO anything" said DR.. AL
Newman. the sheriff OF Franklin
County to-day. Sheriff Newman is
here TO be tried in the Federal Court
on an indictment charging him with
being the abettor in the Wholesale
whitecapping Of Negroes which has
been going on in Franklin County
for months.
The government employed detec-
uves TO run down the men who
whom were witnesses in the Federal
Court, and on evidence secured by
the detectives Sheriff Newman was
indicted
II am going to beat the govern
ment." the sherin declared 1T
can do it's worst and it can't touch
me. I am not afraid OF the United
states as long as I am in Mississip-
pi.'
Sheriff Newman has made arrange
ments with the manager of the Com
mercial Hotel for quarters for 200
citizens of Franklin County. who
are TO be here 20 testify in the cases
against him. These persons are all
friends and neighbors of sheriff
Newman. and he desires that they
shall receive proper accommodations
during their enforced visit to Jack
son.
After the exodus OF persons under
indictment and the witnesses who
have been summoned. 70 would not
be a difficult matter TO take a cen
sus OF Franklin County.
Here then is an open admission
that the residents OF the entire conn
~ OF Franklin are in open rebellion
against the authority OF the United
States. That Sheriff Newman IS
guilty Of contempt or court hardly
admits of a question. That he will
be backed by a lawless well-armed
mob does not admit OF a doubt
and demonstrates beyond a shadow
OF doubt that he intends TO be res
cued by his friends. even should an
adverse decision be rendered in his
case Where Is the white Juror or
the colored one either. VINO would
dare convict him? He has served
notice on mis- accusers and upon the
court. What will be done about itg
II a Supreme Court hesltates TO nun
ism persons guilty OF contempt
when IL is known that the reside
In Tennessee. will a District Court
quail in The face OF the threats OF
the lawless VINO reside in Mississip
pi? We shall see.
one thing we know. II the jurist
who is 10 try the case and he be-
longs 10 the aristocratic stock OF the
Southland. he will enforce respect
for his tribunal and meet Sheriff
Newman's threat. IL IL takes all of
the power vested in the United
states government to do It. Here
is a sheriff sworn to obey and en-
force the law. boldly defying the
very law he is pledged to execute
and there are some people who be
lieve that colored people stand a
show in locality of this kind.
Slavery still exists within tho
confines of this section and the tyr
amy exercised is worse than that
OF the ante-bellum days. Then they
had master to protect them and
TO strike or whip another slave
hoider's Negro was as great an of
Tense as it would have been to strike
another mans dog.
But matters are coming to a To-
Gus. Unlimited federation of evil
has brought forth unlimited def
ance. II the Sheriff of one county
In Mississippi can whip out that part
OF the United States government
that remains within its confines
IL VIII not be long before other
sections will be equally as positive
and emphatic in performing a SINH
lar task in the other common
wealths in that neighborhood.