Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-23
BLEASE OPENLY
VAUNTSHATRED
Of NEGROES
South Carolina Governor Charac-
terizes Blacks "0n Order of
Lower Animals"

COLUMBIA, S. c., Jan. 22.-Why
Governor Cole L, Blease granted par
d.ns. paroles and combinations of
-entence to hundreds of convicts last
wear is set forth in a message trans
uitted to the Legislature to-day. 1t
i. printed book of 3S3 pages. Since
assuming office, three years ago, Gov
arnor Blease has extended clemency
IN 9S2 cases.
The striking feature of the re-
expresses his opinion Of negroes, as
being ION the order of lower ami
mails"
The negro race" he asserts, has
absolutely no standard of morality.
They are, in that respect, class by
themselves, as marital infidelity
seems to be their most favorite pas
line. If every negro in this State
hat is guilty of bigamy or marital
intidellty is brought up and con-
yicted, labor will be much scarcer
than it is and many acres that are
now cultivated will be idle"
Commends Negro Whippers.
In reporting that he had granted
with much pleasure" full pardons to
,hree white men convicted of assault
and battery on two negroes, Govern
pr Blease states that the blacks had
been engaging in dirty and SANDER
Gus talk and Il party of white men
took these two negroes to the woods
and gave them what they deserved
genuine, first-class whipping"
These white gentlemen" the Gov
ernor says, did exactly right"
In telling of a parole granted to
sam Gaskins, a negro convicted of
manslaughter, Governor Blease says:
This negro, being engaged to a ne
gro girl, called to see her, and IN
.ooling with a pistol it went off and
billed her. 1t seems to have been d
4ry sad accident; however, after
second thought. possibly 1t was for
the good of humanity, for had they
married. no doubt they would have
ought forth more negroes to the fu-
lre detriment of the State"
Likens Negro to Mule.
Commenting on his action in COM
uuting the sentence of Stake Morris,
4 negro murderer, from death to life
Imprisonment, the Governor says:
This defendant was convicted of
ti.ling another negro. | am naturally
sainst electrocuting or hanging one
geglo for killing another, because, if
q man had two fine mules running
loose in a lot and one went mad and
licked and killed the other, he GER
ainly would not take his gun and
shoot the other mule, but would take
that mule and work it; therefore,
believe that when one negro kills
another he should be put in the pen
Tertiary and made to work for the
State"
Notwithstanding the coptemptuous
attitude which he assumes toward ne
groes as a class, Governor. Blease in
HE message expresses compassion for
Individual negroes vino he says have
been Ill treated in the penitentiary
and frequently gives as reason for
Iiberating black convicts that they
are white mems negroes"
Cites Prison Cruelty.
In telling of a parole granted to
simeon Ellis, a negro murderer, Gov
ernor Blease submits letters to the
effect that the negro was cruelty tor
lured by the penitentiary authorities
for speaking to the Governor one day
without the guards permission. MI
merous other cases of alleged cruelty
10 prisoners are cited by Governor
Bease in excuse of his extension of
cemency.
One reason given for the paroling of
j. Allen Emmerson, murderer, is
that the convict's sisters health has
been broken by the grief caused by
his Imprisonment.
Not infrequently the Governor in
MS report speaks scornfully or 6ngrily
of the prosecutors of the convicts
whom he has released.
In granting clemency to Bud Will
u.s. white man convicted on the evil
dence of private detectives of violat-
lng the liquor laws, Governor Blease
hercely denounces private detectives.