The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-12-07

equally enforced: that IL advocates
ali proper methods for strengthening
and simplifying cur methods OF ciNii
and criminal procedure. N
~This conference protests against
any disposition or utterances by
those entrusted with the execution OF
the law in any yof the States of this
Union which tends or could be con-
strued as tending 10 the encourhge-
rnent or justification Of mob Vio-
hence or interference with the or
derby processes of the law.
Governor O'Neal spoke in a low,
tense voice. though every sSiiaoie
was audible. and he was frequently
interrupted by applause,
Governor DonaEhey, speaking 20
the resolution. said; In private ife
and In public life Il Is known or al
men that | condemn mob law, but 10
come here and attempt TO birdie the
tongue of a. member OF this confer
ence would be q mistake. The res1-
fution is well meant, but / doubt
II viii have the effect intended. We
. are responsible to our own con-
ssituency for our utterances and tt
would he unwise for this conferences
to 60 on record.
Governor Mann 1Tered subst'~
f,,fe for Governor O'Neals resolution,
the one afterwards adopted, and il
met with a second.
kitchin Opposes II.
Governor kitchin spoke against
the adoption of any resolution AT an,
expressing the hope that il would be
withdrawn "In my Judgment the
resolution In entirely unnecessary.
doubt If single governor in the
Union holds the same views as the
governor of South Carolina, and IL -
clearly intended as a rebuHe TO MINI
II has been the boast 0f TINS con"
ference that il met to discuss prob
lens Of state in order that we might
get the benefit to he derived from a
free expression If each others views
"ff this conference is going 10 set
forth It's views on any subject ~ b
majority vote il II beginning 10 l"se
lis usefulness | am no defender tr
the governor Of south Carolina ne
~ able, ~9sht or wrong. to take care
Of himself ] believe 1t would be
wiser for the conference to take no
official cpgrizance Of the rttarance
of n fellow governor think we are
exceeding our Jurisdiction in so
doing. and could we justify q rcsoiu~
q taon of cenSgreE
We do not know the conditions
which constrain a man Of Governor
Eleasc's ability to reach the conciu~
sions that he has announced on mus
tioor / think it belitties the dignity
~ this body If governors, who, after
having taken the oath Of oihce 10 up
hold the law, tn go on record 10 nm
press upon the people the fact that
they are on the job
GeSernnr Hawley declared he was in
sympathy with the spirit Of the reso-
luton, but to pass such resolution
was to cast reflection upon feilo"
governor. and for that reason and II"
other he was opposed to IL.
sse.e r4s,.s- & l.rist 4eeskaesd tina
whether they passed the resolution or
Il not he wanted 10 go on record az one
81 who had carried out his oath TO uphoId
the Jaw regardless nf consequences.
Unfortunate But Necessary
a.s.sprtstsy Ma s.,ss.Fts believed was
unfortunate that such resolution
seemed necessary. and yet he thought
ii was niece sary. Governor kitchlh.
he said didn't think It was necessary
for the conference to 60 on record as
to it's position. and set he found II
necessary to state his own position.
Why wasn't II important then for the
governors as body To state their
position
1--WE can't afford TO he misunderstood
on so important "A matter, W" kho"
that there are people Who fayar mnb
law, but the governor of southern
Stale Is the last man who should give
EXPRESSION TO it. We should correct
the impression that has gone forth in
the reports Of the deliberations of this
body In the press of the country that
this body OF executives, whose hrsl
principle II Is TO uphold the law, com
dones such utteranccs az those voiced
BY the governor Of South Carolina.
Blease Gets the Fsoor.
Governor Blease. who had been sit
ting quietly listening TO the debate on
the resolution aimed as a rehuke at
him, got the floor.
First ne waved a letter in his hand
stating that it was the fourth COM
mnnication threatening his life that he
had received since he came TO Rich
mend. 1t was addressed in care oi
Governor Mann, he said.
The governor Of Virginia arose
promptly 10 say that he had not seer
the letter and knew nothing about
IT. ard Governor Blease continued.
The newspaper headlines he said
had done him an injustice, over the
story OF his haraneue on the subject
Of lynchburg Tuesday. bat he pro-
ceeded to reiterate what he uttered
tnen To the effect that hc would not
order out the militia Of his state "a
shoot down white men in defense of
a negro who had laid hands on a
white woman.
"If that he treason make the most
or IL, he shouted.
Again, the newspapers had mis-
quoted him in the implied reference
10 Jack johnson ana his white wife
Ia his speech of the previous day, but
his statement II what he had SAID
did not differ from the material
points Of the story. What he had
said he stated. vas that II depended
on the LEGALITY In South Carolina into
which johnson might land as TO
whether they would give him Il legal
trial. 'and / repeat 1t now he thun-
dsred
BIease Boiis Over.
The Palmetto governor apparently
boiled over as he proceeded.
II care nothing for your resolution,
he exclaimed deAan+ly Il win be
sworn in as governor Of the State Of
South. Carolina in January next To
ssrSe my second term. and on March
4, 1874 / Will so to the senate OF the
United States 10 represent the great
State Of South Carolina, and all your
resolutions won't keep me from H.
II never apo!ogized in my life for
any statement ] made and ] don
expect to pow. When all If you are
resting in the classic shades of pfi-
vate life, ! Will be enjoying the emolu-
inente If public office AT the hanGs o.
nay people
Kisses and slaughter greeted the
South Carolina governors boast.
n lffa