The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-12-22
late WASHINGTON
NEWS GOSSIP

WASHINGTON, D. c.. Dec. a.
Pho Dyer anti.lynching bill, 30.
called, now pending in the House
Of Representatives Is brlm full Of
possfbilities for one OF the most iE-
ferasting debates that has been had
IN that body for some time. That
was indicated by the preliminary
discussion which ensued on the
adoption Of tho rule 10 govern its
confederation, With what great i'm
portance It is regarded was also in
dictated by the ample time allotteG
for its discussion by the rule, ana
other provisions OF the latter. Inc
groundwork has ben laid for a gIea.
debate, and all signs point TO tke
expectation being realized
The ceRstitutjonality OF the Dyer
bill, its proponents claim, Tcst3
souarely upon the fourteenth
amendment which says tina tho stats
'shall deprive any person Of life,
liberty or property without due pro.
cess of law; nor deny to any per:
-soa within its Jurisdiction equal
protection of the laws. : The con
sttutIonslity or lack of il, is to be
one OF the PRINCIPAL points around
which the swift current Of discus
sion is TO eddy
This bill defines mob as riot.
ols assemblage Of five or more per.
SOFAS. and proposes 10 prevent lynch
ing IN by giving the Federal juFIs,
diction in all cases Of lrnchinR. l2l
by pupIsh4ng stale and municipal
officers for not protecting ALLEGED
criminals from m0bs, ~ by pun
ishing those who participate In
lynchinE, and ca by compelling the
county In which the lynching occurs
or counties through which tho az
legged criminal may be TRANSPORTER
10 pay $4,000 for tue benefit OF tn"
yictim's family.
Fhe report of the judiciary com.
p,ittee accompanying tn" bill coz
tains some startling facts. It states
theft in the 80 years from 1852 to
1918, 1924 persons were lynched.
al whom 2,522 we're negroes. aud q
these so were women. The NORTH
had 2Ie. the West 166, Alaska and
unkpown localities Is. and the
South had 1884. From iSS9-1es3,
Sfve year neriad, there were S5a
lynchIugs, and ncach five yea7
nsrfod thereafter the NUMBER
Steadily Increased. until during the
9ariod OF 1e1+19iS it had fallen 10
825 or a decrease in 80 years Of
6i.s per cent. Only 10 per cent.
al the S,224 persons lynched in TUG
last 30 gears have been tor lhe
crime Of rape, Campbell, OF Kansas
stated to the House when he MS
t:sussed the rule adopted to govern
Ate bill in the House. One lynch
ing IN 1890 occurred i'll West W.
Rinja, according to the committee,
The debate on this bill will show
study and preparation. 1t has al
ready shown it in its beginning.
The best talent in the House vii!
be heard, and the constitutional
phases OF the bill will be discussed
hv the ablest constitutional law
vars In tina tbody. At least Two Of
! Inc representatives from West VIZ
TInia will be heard in SET" speech
ss-Goodykaontz of the t'ifth. ana
Echols OF the Sixth district. 5h2
FORMER was prominent and active in
fhe consideration Of the bill When
Il was before theh judiciary commit.
toe, Of which he is member. And
Mr. Echojs showed his interest. and
soretoid his intention of address
Ing hi.,,self 10 the bill when II came
fTI In ;hg Jpuse, by attending the
sase;o, 81 th4 committee and fol
lowing tila discussion there vita
fcrppu!oEs attention 'takiAs c"pl'"'
notes.