Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-17
ALL CIVILIZED STATES
SHOULD PITY GEORGIA
AND PRAY FOR HER"
Judge Sulzberger Expresses
Opinion of Frank Lynching
in Aforementioned
Remark

This was the comment Of Judge Maye
sulzberger expressed today In a messas
| to the EVENING LEDGER In answer to
request for an expression Of his opino
Of the murder Of Leo NJ Frank by
Georgia mob.
Leading citizens OF Philadelphia
judges. editors and merchants, joined to
day in bitter arralgnment Of the state o
Georgia and It's officials following receip
here OF the news Of the lynchlng o.
Frank.
The act was taken here almost
universally ne the final proof that former
Governor slnton was Justified In com
mutng Franks sentence to life inn
| prisonment. because of the feeling thas
the mob spirit had much to do VITA
Franks conviction
| Editors OF the Jewish publications
were particularly emphatic in their crit
iclsm of the Georgia state officials. The
significant statement was made by Ellis
A. Gimbel that the lynching OF Frank
was strong argument against locating
prisons in Isolated sections where they
cannot be given the protection that is
their due from the State.
The opinions follow;
RABBIS CALL IT OUTRAGE.
DIR. JOSEPH KRAUsKOpE, rabbi OF
Keneseth Israel Temple, Broad street
and Columbia avenue:
MY worst fears have come to pass
Leo Frank was convicted for another
mans crime and his death was clamored
for lest the guilty person should be
found and the bloodthlrsty prosecutors OF
an innocent Jew exposed. II the sus-
plcion still fingered in the minds OF think
ing men that Leo Frank might have
been guilty, the attempt at assassination
few weeks ago and this damnable
lynching has removed It,
Notwithstanding that Justices of the
Supreme Court OF Georgia and the Su-
preme Court OF the United States had
declared that Leo Frank had not had a
fair trial; Notwithstanding that the judge
who conducted the trial expressed the
same opinion; Notwithstanding that for
mer Governor Slaton, after thorough
examination of the record, was obliged
to commute the death sentence to life
imprisonment because he was uncon-
vinced that the accused was guilty; not
withstanding that almost the entire
church and press of the land Joined in
the appeal to the Goveror and applauded
his courage, Franks prosecutors meant
to have his life TO cover their own foul
deeds, and they got 1t.
Lasting shame on the State of Georgia! |
Once the death sentence had been COM
muted to life imprisonment the State |
owed him that life. Once his life was |
attempted they knew he was In danger, !
and should have protected him from it. |
There was power enough In that State to
protect him II II had wanted to save him
from the hand of the murderer.
I'VE cry out against the barbarity NJ |
European belligerents, but what of our
own barbarity, when such a lynching as
hat of Leo Frank, or any other lynchIng,
S possible within the shadow of the
the churches and the schools
I'VE began with lynching negroes Now
zones the crime against Frank, and there
8 no telling where lynchlng may end
CORNER Governor Slaton performed a
loble act in committing Leo Franks
Ieath sentence and giving him a chance
o vindicate himself. Governor Harris,
lis successor, owes II to the name of the
martyr to leave no stone unturned until
he original prosecutors of Leo Frank and
he perpetrators of this foul murder are
racked and brought to terms,
Thus alone can the country be con-
'inced that Justice stIll rules in Georgia"
)R. ELI MAYER, assistant rabbi of the
Rodeph Shalom Synagogue, Broad and
Mount Vernon streets:
at is, perhaps, best to say very little
t present in the matter OF the lynching
Il Leo Frank, AS an American l feel
hat an assault has been committed upon
he foundations OF our noble, united gov
rnment, built upon the Ideals that not
nly kings and rulers. but each and every
Individual Is legally entitled to life, lib
rty and the pursuit OF happiness. Win
he law take cognizance OF this assault?
AS jew, / am panied and shocked to
eel that not only the restraints OF local
nd national law, but the ,ove of Gods
aw spirituality and Justice are so little
a evidence In the action OF some people
n Georgia as to make II appear that
Judaism and Christianity have not been
triving enough to better men and con-
itions for these manyI centuries.
Whether or not the law vIndicates It's
majesty, we need to ask God for strength
o forgive. forget and improve"
OPINIONS OF EDITORS.
OHM ]. SPURGEON, Executive Editor
of the Public Ledger:
mot even the heroic action OF ex-
GOVERNOR SlatOn In saving Leo Frank ,
rom the death penalty has availed TO
ave the State of Georgia from a stain
he can never eradicate. Georgia stands
Isgraced and the United States shamed
efore the civilized world"
AMUEL c, WELLS. editor OF the Phila-
delphia Press;
THE lynching OF Leo Frank is a hor-
BILE crime and disgrace to the State
I Georgia"
In the absence OF william Perrlne. ss-
or-in-chlef OF the Evening Bulletin, this
atement was made by a member OF the
litOTial stan as rejecting the opinion or
lat newspaper;
The appeal to Judge Lynch IN the case
Leo Frank was not without notice 10
le State OF Georgla as the guardian and
iarantor Of his life. Not only the MEM
srs of the lynching party. but the prison
arden and the executive officials OF the
late who had authority over him. must
lare In the responsibility for this OUT
,ge, because OF their failure 10 anticl- {
ate and avert a rsiding party" !
ELK N. GERsON, managing editor OF
the Jewish Exponent:
This crime stamps indellble obioquy
1on the State OF Georgia, II outrages
Ie sense OF justice OF every right think
g man and community throughout the !
nd and emphasizes the sane Judgment
Ex-Governor slaton IN having COM
uted the death sentence passed upon I
rank, In that IL shows how far-reach-
g and desperate was the mob spirit ,
at 0Verawed court and jury and result-
In the conviction and sentence at the
ial {
Georgia Justice has been barred 10 the
res OF the world, and the State and ia
snunHihla OfiiceFB face arraf rnruant ~ |