The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1915-01-22
ALABAMA COVER.
NOR SCORES
LyMCHERS
n Caustic Statement
Takes Mob Lynchers
to Task---Calls Them
Cowards Who Are
Unwilling to Face
Real Danger

MONTGOMERY, ALA Jan. DE
cIar ng tnar the men composing the MOB,
which early on the morning Of January
4th, to'k two Negro prisoners from the
Elmore County jail and shot them &
death, had brought reproach upon the
STATE, and that such men never hesitate
20 bring the blush OF shame IN every hon
est and patriotic citizen of Alabama, Gov
% Neal, last night, said that all of the
power OF the executive office, as long a.
he !. governor will be brought to bear in
establishing the guilt and guaranteeing
the punishment Of the lynches.
The Executive announced that he had
as quickly ss possible ordered a special
. ssion OF the Circuit Court in Elmore
County TO make inquiry into the lynch
ing. Every possible effort will be made
70 bring the guilty parties tn Justice, he
declared The Negroes werr lynched ON
SUSPICION. ssid the Governor, adding
hat there WAS not sufficient evidence for
any jury 10 have fonnd them guilty OF
participating in the assassination Of r.
A Stiilweii. in connection with winch
crime they were being held
These Negroes were iynched on sus-
picion. and 50 fs a. sm informed there
was no sufficient evidence on which any
jury would have convicted them for the
crime OF which they were charged. They
were charged with the murder OF one r.
A stillwell, and were in custody of the
law, and they were awaiting their trial.
There was absolutely no Justification
for this lynching. n those who were
executed by the mob were guilty, speedy
trials could have been secured and their
guiit established under the due and or
derry processes of the law. Thos- who
have undertaken TO perform the func
tions OF judge, jury and execntioner have
brought nIerited reproach upon our state
The history Of everv state in the Union
shows that mob or lynch Law does not
check ibut only increases crime. There
Is absolutely no justification for lynch
law in Alabama.
MUST HAVE PROTECTION.
IL is folly for US to expect those rom
other st.tes or countries TO locate in Al
ALBANIA until we can assure every person
within our domain of the inst and equal
protection OF the law. II the sheriff con-
niyed st the commission OF this crime
sm powerles To punish him by impesch-
ment becsuse bis term Of Office expires in
a lev days. This dastsrdly crime, com
mutssi jnst upoD the rvr IL the ss~rnl,-
J az or the stste i.>xisstnr- s~ceDtnst.S
The importance Of their making such
measures ss may he necessary n make
the lynching impossible in Alabama.
The men who lead mobs are generally
those who have no respect for law or
authority, who are cowsrdly and unwilI-
ing 10 face real danger, and yet by their
Isviess acts, do not hesitate 10 bring the
biush Of shame 70 every honest and pa
triotic citizen Of the state.
The people Of Alabama must under
stand that their protection comes not
IRON . mob OF cowzrdly lyncbers. infiu-
snoed by passion or prejudice, but only
from the majestic supremacy Of the law
under which alone their rizhk of person
or property can he protected.
Il am grsti6ed 10 know that the en-
iightened public sentiment OF the state
no longer tolerstes mob or lynch Law. II
crimes are committed, they can he pun
ished. ~ the c"urts and the sdministra
ton Of justice should not be entrusted D.
q band Of co~arily mi-cresnt-. ~bo are
wiling. IN order " grstify their preipdice
or passion 10 bring ruin and confusion to
the state"