Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1908-05-22
One Hundred Sign Resolution.

Wv AAuHNlCO SlSu NCSOlullOLI,
Praised by Superintendent of
Public Safety John l.. Hamery, who
appeared before them, for the work
they are undertaking, one hundred
negro citizens of Des Moines last
night pledged their assistance to the
police and citizens at large in the
general campaign to curb crime.
Strong resolutions were adopted
in the executive session and one
hundred names of law abiding ne
groes were signed to them.
Addresses were made by R. NJ
Hyde, II. McCraven, Jesse Graves,
Oscar Lee, S. f. Graham, J. S.
Delinger, J. c. Williams, e.. S.
Ruff, Rev. o. A. Johnson and S.
Joe Brown. The resolutions we're
presented by S. Joe Brown. Rev.
T. l.. Griffith was elected chairman,
S. Joe Brown secretary and r. N.
Hyde treasurer. An executive
committee was sppointed, composed
of these officers, together with H.
McCraven, Rev. f. P. Geiger, J. c.
Williams and DR.. John H. Williams.
Strong Resolutions.
The resolutions, which announce
the purpose of the negro citizens,
are as follows:
"Whereas, The city of Des
Moines seems to be in the throes of
criminal epidemic; and whereas,
of the many crimes committed re-
Gently, anumber are alleged to have
been committed by negroes; and,
whereas, it is reported through the
public press of the city, that on &C.
count of these facts certain citizens
have organized themselves into a
vigilance committee to assist the
department Of public safety in the
enforcement of the laws OF the city
and state, and, whereas, no member
OF our race, so far as we have been
able to learn by diligent inquiry,
has been invited to become a mem
Der of said COMMITTEE" and, where
as, we the negro citizens of Des
Moines are in hearty sympathy with
any movement that has for its pur-
pose the enforcement of law and
order; be it therefore
"Resolved, That we, the negro
citizeus of Des Moines. in general
mass meeting assembled, do hereby
resolve ourselves into a vigilance
committee and tender our services
to the superintendent of public safety
to co operate with his department in
any manner within our power to the
end that the guilty of our community
may be punished and the innocent
protected regardless of race, nation
ality or sex; be it further
"Resolved, That it is the sense
of this meeting that the ends of JUS
tice would be more speedily and
more accurately met if; when crimes
are alleged to have been committed
by negroes, the department of pud-
lie safety would see to it that one or
more of the negro officers who arc
members of the regular police de-
partment are detailed as a member
of the party in search of the offend.
er, for the reason thatgthe negro off
icer will better know the resorts
where negro criminals are likely to
be found, from our residences OF
our best and most highly respected
citizens; be it further
"Resolved, That the chairman OF
this meeting appoint a standiug ex-
ecuii1e committee to consist of seven
me embers, including himself, which
executive committee shall have au.
thority to act for this body when j,
is not in session and shall as soon as
is practicable call upon the superin-
tendent of the department of public
safety and present to him copy of
these resolutions, toge ther with the
names and addresses of as many OF
the negro men of this community as
shall subscribe to the list of the
members of this vigilance commit
tee. ,"
Trij|0WS GrnenhOnSn |