The New York herald., 1921-06-26
ASKS CONSTABULARY
TO END LYNCH LAW
Gov. Dorsey in Retiring
Points to Mob Violence
in Georgia.
LOCAL OFFICIALS LAX
State Troops Might Aid Dry
Cause and Collection of
Motor Fees.
HARDWICK IN DEFENCE
Stands By Farmers and De-
nounces Agitation Over
PeOnage of Negroes.
HARDWICK IN DEFENCE

Special Despatch to THE NEW YoHK HEaaLp.
1 ArLANrA, June 25. Denouncing
Iynchings and other crimes Of violence
against negroes and declaring that
there have been fifty-eight cases Of
lynchings in Georgia since he became
Governor, Hugh M. Dorsey, in retir-
ing from his position, yielding the reins
OF power to Governor Thomas w.
Hardwick, has recommended to the
Legislature certain radical changes in
order to remedy the situation. In his
first address to the people Hardwick
has defended the State. which, he de-
clares, has been unjustly and without
reason attacked, and has promised that
he will "vindicate the majesty and i'm
partiality of the law and not write any
pamphlets
while we have mad ffty-eight vic
Tins of mob violence who were not ac-
corded trial under the law. or lynched
after such trial. we have hundreds who
participated in these murders who have
never been brought to justice, and in
many cases no effort whatsoever made
to apprehend or punish them," said Mr..
Dorsey.
There are many instances Of out
rageous lynchings that could be pre-
vented. Certainly there are instances
where the perpetrators of such crimes
could be. if the matter were properly
investigated. brought to justice. When
Information of impending mob violence
is brought to the attention of the execu-
tive, he should not be handicapped by
having to await call for military as
sistance from local authorities, but
should be authorized and indeed it
should be his duty TO see that officers
get in immediate touch with the situa-
tion and take whatever precautionary
measures are advisable.
Urges state ConstabuIary.
"rhe financial condition of the State
will not now permit, but as soon as that
can be changed and adequate funds pro-
vided a State consta abulary should be
established. Such constabulary should
be subject to the orders of the Chief
Executive not only in cases of emer-
gency, but for the enforcement of all the
States criminal laws. Much could be
done by Governor through this agency
70 cneCk All 1OffnS OF crime, ana eSpe-
cially could the violation of the prohibi
tion laws be greatly curbed. Such a
force could also compel the payment of
automobile license fees and thus in
crease the States revenues.
'Many sheriffs are wholly derelict in
their duties in this respect. The law es-
tablishing such a police force should of
course, guard against It's becoming a po
litical machine in the hands of the exec
tttfx hut u lie hn oGiI
plished. Many of the other States have
already established such constabulary.
and where so established they have been
found efficient and wonderfully helpful.
after n mob crime some official
should be charged with the definite and
specific duty of ascertaining as to
whether or not the peace officers of the
community in which the crime was COM
mitted have fully performed their duties.
Such peace officers should be accorded a
full and fair hearing; but in the event
II should be ascertained that they were
derelict In the discharge OF all duties
which the situation imposed upon them.
they should be subject to immediate re-
moval
"A method should be provided
where a State Grand Jury, that is. one
composed of citizens selected from all
sections of the state under proper rules,
regulations and safeguards, and aided
and assisted by special prosecuting
attorney, might make a full and COM
plete investigation into the crime, and
have authority to return presentments
against those participating in the mob
violence. Those thus indicted should be
tried at such place as would be most
conducive to the ascertaining OF the
truth. and before a jury likewise drawn
from the entire State. While this is
drastic, still I submit that the nature
Of the offence against the sovereignty.
peace, order and dignity of the State
is such as to warrant these measures.
"I have concluded that there is little
reason to expect county Grand Juries
and local officers to adequately deal
with the mob murderers of their COM
munities. They are too numerous"
DepIores Pconnge Charges.
Gov. Hardwlck in his message said
"The Georgia farmer bravely and
manfully has gone energetically about
his business and is now cultivating a
crop to help clothe the world n crop
that may cost him twice as much as
II brings on the market. He has taken
care of the negro. fed him. clothed him,
sheltered him, doctored him and now
In year like this, when he has made
every Imaginable sacrifice to help the
negro. TO De charged on nlSn authority
with holding the negro In peonage, is
almost more than he can bear. Such a
burden. at this particular time above
all others. should not have been i'm
posed upon him. Il is an outrageous.
unjustified and unJustifiabie proceeding
"There Is no real basis in truth and
In fact upon which the accusation can
rest. assert, measuring and Weighing
my words. that there Is no State in this
Union, and no country in this world,
having within its limits anything like
sn even division of Its population be-
tween the white and black races in
which the relations between the two
races are more harmonious than right
here in the State OF Georgia. There is
no State or country In tho world in
which n good, law abiding. peaceful
negro can live with moro security TO his
life, his property and his rights than In
the State OF Georgia.
Georgia Of course is not free from
crime throughout the world there IL
that seething unrest that always follows
in the wake of n great war. but be-
lleve and venture TO assert that the in
crease in criminality that Is general
throughout the world is less In this State
than IL Is in practically all OF the others.
We of course have our criminals. both
white and black, but the percentage OF
fl