The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1920-02-19
MURDEROUS SPIRIT
RUNS OVER STATE
WILLIAMS SAYS FIGURES SHOW
HOMICIDE DAILY.
Also Many Thefts
Ninety-four Commitments for Homi-
eide in 80 Counties in Three
Months-Other Statistics.


Crimes of the gratest nature have
shown a marked increase in number
In South Carolina during the quarter
ending December 81, 1919, accord
ing to a report issued by the state
board of charities and corrections
Ninety-four commitments for homi-
eide were issued in 3S counties.
The report as given out by the
board of charities and corrections is
rs follows:
"The state board of charities and
corrections has completed it's analy-
sis of the crime statistics of South
Carolina for the quarter ending De-
cember 81, 1919. This analysis shows
reports from 81 per cent. of the coun-
ties. There are no reports from Cal
houn, Darlington, Georgetown, Hor-
xy, Lexington, Marion, Pickens and
Richland.
"a startling condition of affairs ex-
lists in this state. The gravest crimes
have had a marked increase over the
preceding quarter. 1t was expected
that crimes would~>decrease in the
face of prosperity among people and
because of the leadership of the gov
ernor and his helpers for diminu-
tion of felony. However, despite the
efforts of the constituted authority
and the vigorous protest of the press,
life and property have been violently
assaulted.
The last quarter shows "a commit
ments for homicides in 3S counties
This is more than homicide day
Perhaps in no other part of the civil
lied world, where war and tumult
does not exist, is there so high a per-
centage of homicides. During the
quarter Immediately after the war,
when passion was running high and
the war fever had not abated, the
number of homicides in this state
was 81. Popular interest was kindled
by this revelation and great ankle
ty about the condition of affairs was
shown. Now peace seems to have
settled down on the state, and yet a
murderous spirit is running uncurbed
through the land. Were all those
that were killed by their fellowmeh
Tn South Carolina in the peaceful year
1919 stood up in Main street with
their hands stretched out touching
one another the line would extend
from the Jefferson hotel to the State
house. Were the cofins Of these peo~
pie that were killed at the hands of
their fellow citizens piled one upon
another. the grewsome stack would
be over twice as high as the tallest
skyscraper in the state.
Property Suffers.
mot only human life has been held
tightly, but property has also fa:red
Ill at the hands of the lawless. The
number of those committed for lar
ceny was 304. The highest number
committed prior to the December
quarter was 204, which were COM
mitted in the June quarter. Burglary
has also thriven, the report shows
that 90 commitments were made fol-
this crime. The increase of thieves
and rogues can not be accounted for
on the grounds of want, for the state
was never more prosperous than it
is now. There is plenty of work to
be had, and at good wages too.
"The violations of the prohibition
law were As. The officers of the law
have pursued with great energy those
who distilled alcoholic liquors, but il
seems that wherever rabbit can ex.
ist a still is set up. Every brush
heap is an object of just suspicion.
= Gives Other Statistics.
'It may be of interest to know that
besides the crimes enumerated in the
preceding paragraph there were 81
commitments for forgery, 139 forE as,
sault, sc for vagrancy, 81 for fraud
seven for arson and sixteen for rape
There were 1,765 commitments; not
an excessive number, yet composed
of such ugly elements that its evil
character startles US.
"The underlying cause of this evil
state s the utter contempt that many
of orr people have for law. They
do not feel that the state Of South
Carolina has any power to curb them
in the'r evil passions or Their un-
righteous greed. The courts of justice
are challenged, the sovereignty of the
state s fouted. ard the prote tion Of
life and property is menaced."