The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-02-13
LYNCHING IS
 CONDEMNED Gadsden Bar Association
 Takes Action. REMIssNEss OF OFFICERS
Declare Steps Should Be Taken for
 Investigation.
sioodhue Asks Why Alarm Was Not Given That Murder Might Be Prevented Or the Criminals
 Identified.

Gadsden, Feb. -(speciaL)--Th Gadsden Bar Association of all law yers in the city. held meeting at the court house this afternoon for the purpose of condeming Sundays lynch ing. Strong resolutions denouncing the murder of Richardson and condem- ming the mob spirit and promising loyalty to the Governor were passed by a unanimous vote. Some vigorous speeches were made by Judge J. A. Bil- bro. A. F. Goodhue, W. J. Boykin and others
 When the committee presented the resolutions Chairman O. R. Hood nov cd their adoption and made a short talk along the line of the sentiments the resolutions expressed. The last two paragraphs, howevee, we're not in original draft but were submitted. as amendments by Judge BiIbro, accepted and adopted. 1t was stated and generally understood that the resolutions as to loyalty to the Governor had no reference as to Gov ernor Jeik's action in the Johnson case since the bar itself differed on that point and more particularly oe- cause that was not part of the busi- ness of the meeting nor did 1t proper iy enter into the proceedings, accord ing to expressions of the speakers.
 Gadsaen Bar Indignant.
 Members of the Gadsden Bar, especially those who were nearas where Indignant that the county should have ben. outraged by the murder of Richardson, and there finally crept in a criticism of officers who surrendered fo the mob. Mir. Gcodhue was frank and open in a statement that he desired to press an investigation as to whether the sheriff, police or any fss Nr 1aNfx A that it should be known what the sheriff did from the time of, the as- sanlt on the Jail tip to next morning at s7 o'clock It should be brought out, he eaid, why the sheriff did not give an alarm ring the fire bell or something of the sort. Tke same ap- piled to tke policeman. Why didn't he give sn alarm, so that the lynchers might be either prevented from com hitting crime CT detected and indenti- fled. Mir. Gopdhue said that he wished the sheriff had been present to note his assertion; thas the sheriff and his deputies ought not to speak of the lynching in light manner and should feel that they too. had been outraged.
 Judge Bilbro declared that all the mob spirit affected. that far were agl- tators, and that every one who added fLe to the flame was guilty as an &C., complice in the lynching of Buck Rich aTdSOn. He Qlu not UT GNtti tlmate that an officer had been derelict in his duty. but he said the law re- uuired the sheriff to protect prisoners, even up to point of giving his own life to do so.
 MT. BOykfn Speaks.
 MT. Boykin explained and justified his connection with Johnson case. He said that it had been brought to him that statements had been made that some negro organizations had sent in money and paid him to take the stand he did. This he indignantly denied and explained that he saw Johnson only once and never spoke to him or had any communication with him at any
 Rev J. w. Newman and Rev. H. T. KeRIey were called upon and approv- Cd the sentiment of the meeting as did Mayor Smith
 E. w. Whipps. President of the Com rnercial Club, was called upon to con vene that body at once to take action on the lynching and he agreed to do so. AL. people are stirred up over this matter. They are determined to have the out side world understand the true sent ioent of the community and 1t was particuIarly stated that the unalter- ative determination of the Gadsden bar is to uphold the law should be under stood In Etowah County itself.
 The meeting of the Bar Association was the initial movement of the civic courts of the city and the county in this matter.
 The Resolutions Adopted.
 The resolutions are as follows;
 'Dhereas, early Sunday morning a mob, said to be composed of twenty five or thirty persons. took from the iail of this county a negro, Bunk Rich ardson and lynchad him. and,
 Whereas, the matter of whether or nof he had committed or had any con- reotion with the commission of the murder of Mrs. Sarah Jane Smith had been investigated by the grand jury of the county, which body tailed to find evidence to the fleet that he had committed the crime failing to prefer an indictment against him and
 whereas, he was being held in jail to await the action of any further grand jury on newly discovered testi- mcny, and
 q fuIl. complete and adequate code of laws for a speedy and fair trial and m adeauate punishment of criminals committing the crime of murder, and
 ''Whereas :nese laws have been wholly ignored and trampled into the dust by this mob in the lynch:ng of tbis man without trial, and
 ;'Whsreas, the lynching of a person hv a mob is nothing less than murder in its vilest form and is destructive to all law and order as well as of tho great and saving teachings and princi- naIs of Christianity. now therefore, 1Re if resolved by the Etowah Bar As sociation that the lynchiIg of Bunk richardson is greatly deplcred and eSould be condemntd by all law abiding citizens of the county. that the murder of this man be and Is here .bv condemned in unmeasured terms; that all law abiding citizens of the county are urged tc cooperate with inc Bar Association in quenchins at once this unlawful and awful spirit of taking the life of human being without trial under the forms of law.
 Be it further resolved, That we call upon the ministers and all Christian people in this county to make use of every opportunity to preach and instill Into the minds of the people a law Abiding spirit;
 'BS 1t further resolved. That it is the