Cayton's weekly. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1916-1921, 1919-04-12
LIFE FOR BUNDY

Illinois was disgraced by race riot at East
st. Louis. TO fully understand the cOndi-
tiOns out Of which the trouble grew it is
necessary to take comprehensive view of
the rottenness of civic conditions in that un-
fortunate city. For years vicious political
machines, both Democratic and Republican,
had dominated it's municipal affairs The
law was constantly suspended by those in
authority, and because of the laxity of law
enforcement low dives sprang up without
number, disreputables from the surrounding
country swarmed in, and all this, added to
the supineness of the police force, made
situation that was well nigh volcanic in it's
possibilities.
The Labor Unions inspired by the situa-
ton, thought the time ripe to settle long
standing grievance with the employers of
labor, who from time to time had been
charged with importing large numbers Of
our workmen from the South Our people,
seeming trouble, commenced to arm them
selves and to make such preparations for
defense as were thought necessary. Among
the leaders of this defensive movement was
DR.. Leroy Bundy, a practicing dentist.
1t is not our purpose here to defend the
life of DR.. Bundy nor his methods in deal
ing with the situation prior to the riot It
practices were not altogether commendable
The fact remains, however, that in playing
the part that he did he acted only as any
other sensible, far-seeing man would have
done under like circumstances. He knew
conditions as few other men in that section
knew them. He knew the mob spirit of the
white man. whether the mob comes from
Texas or Illinois, and when he saw the storm
gathering he prepared to fight
Any other red-blooded man would have
done what Bundy did. He exercised right
that is as old as the centuries-the right
of self-defense. We have had too much
supineness on the part of our people in such
crises, and it is decidedly refreshing to find
a member Of our group who knows his rights
and is not afraid to defend them. The
proneness Of our people to move along the
lines of least resistance to forms of outlawry
such as characterized the actions Of the East
ST. Louis mob encourages and feeds this
form of evil
There is but one way to deal with a mob
that is to prepare for it, and when you
see 1t IN action move to meet it with every
weapon at your command. We have found
from bitter experience, and this case is no
exception, that cannot depend upon the
police, the possee of the sheriff. or the mi
lltla. II Bundy felt that the forces of con-
stituted authority could not be depended
upon to safeguard the lives and property
OF our citizens, was he not then justified
IN taking the steps that he did?
All in all, one must regret that the gov
ernor of the state, who was undoubtedly in
touch with the situation, did not take
prompt measures to forestall the trouble.
We are informed that his adjutant general
had been on the scene for several days for
the purpose of keeping the chief executive
of the state informed as to conditions A
little exercise of executive backbone at the
proper moment might have resulted in the
saving of many lives and in preventing the
destruction of thousands of dollars worth
of valuable property. 1t might have kept
the great state of Lincoln and Grant from
stepping into the same column with Texas
and Mississippi.
This was not DONE and black and bloody
l.: