The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-06
WOMEN LEAVE HALL. AS bLEASE BEGINS. SPEECH ON MOB LAW. South Carolinian Rebuked By Governor Gilchrist
 of Florida
M'GOVERN APPROVES
 OF THE INCOME TAX
Has Succeeded in Wisconsin-Miss Mary Johnston Addresses Confer ence on Woman's Suffrage.
 Herrick to Speak Today

Richmond. Va, December 5.-Fully half of the 50 women in attendance at the conference of governors this aft ernoon hurriedly departed from the meeting when Gov. Cole L. Blease, for the second time defending the policy Of lynching negroes guilty of criminal assault, shouted, Ito h. with the constitution"
 Governor Blease's declaration was made in response to a question asked by Gov. Joseph N. Carey of Wyoming Governor Carey desired 10 know if the South Carolina executive had taken an oath to uphold the constitution and laws of his state, and if these laws did not protect negroes as we'll as whites.
 T will answer that question:" re- piled Governor Blease. When the con- stitution steps between me and the de- fense of the virtue of white women of my state, 1 will resign my commission, tear it up and throw it to the breezes As l have said before to h-- with the constitution
 When several women present arose and left the hall Governor Blease ceased speaking. Among the women who made their exit were the wives and daughters of several governors at tending the conference.
 Gilchrist Rebukes Blease
 Gov. Albert w. Gichrist of Florida took exception to Governor Bleases remarks. Rising to his feet he de- elared "the first thing that indicates manly man or a womanly woman is thoughtful consideration for other peo- ple.' His remarks were greeted with cheers from the audience
 Referring to the lynch law doctrine Gov. John F. Shafroth of Colorado said: One mob can do more injury to society than 20 murderers. because iynching permeates the entire commit nitx and produces anarchy. The in- huenee of mob rule Is nest reprehen- sible. When laws are made it should be the duty of the governor to en- force them, whether he approves or not. When the law prescribes hang ing for an offense and a man Is found guilty, he should be hanged whether white or black, and there is no excuse for mob laws. l conceive it to be our duty as governors to declare for law and order"
 During the afternoon session papers were read by Governors T. l.. Oddie of Nevada and James H. Hawley of Idaho on uniformity of divorce laws. This subject was under consideration when Governor Blease spoke. After defend- ing the law of South Carolina where no divorce is permitted, he proceeded to discuss the race problem and declared sl~.. s..g~ .... by the superior race. Governor Blease also again defended hia pardon rec ord.
 No Lynching in Six Years
 Gov. w. W. Kitchin of North Carolina announced that there had not been a lynching in that state in six years, and expressed the belief that there should be convictions in practically every case where there is lynching.
 Governor Mann of Virginia stated that he would call out every militia man in the state if necessary to pro- tect man under arrest and give him a fair tial
 Movements for the improvement of agriculture were discussed by Governors Adolph O. Eberhart of Minnesota, Herbert S. HadIey of Missouri, w. H. Mann of Virginia. George w. Donaghey of Arkansas and
 
 law problems were also spoken of by Governors Joseph M. Carey of Wyo- ming and Simeon k. Baldwin of Con necticut.
 Miss Mary Johnston, the novelist. ad dressed the conference on equal suf- frage.
 It was announced that Ambassador Myron T. Herrick will be one of {he speakers tomorrow morning on the sub ject of rural credits. He. will person. ally represent President Taft.
 McGovern Approves Income Tax
 Gov r. F. McGovern of Wisconsin. in an address on The State Income Tax" declared that the Wisconsin in come tax had succeeded as striking1v as the old personal property tax failed in compelling persons of means to nay
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