Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1921-03-26
GEORGIAN DENOu|VCEs
MOB VIOLENCE
'" r.
~ Remarkable Statement and Protest.
Greed For Negroes Labor Results
in Cold Blooded and Atrocious Muir.
der.

Atlanta, Ga, Probably the most
| startling statement ever Issued by
any public official in the south came
/ recently from District Attorney AlAx-
ander Hooper. 1t is remarkable both
tor it's fearlessness and suggestivcnegs.
1t dehls with the terrible state Of af-
fairs in lawless regions OF Georgia
! and "in the name Of the just and
righteous God" he declares, i solemn
| ~ protest before the people OF !Geor-
g'a:" Says the statement, What I
| Said IN the papers, Thursday, about
the mstreatment of Negroes In Gcor
gta was mild statement Of the facts.
III three separate matters that have
been brought to my attention since
mat day my complaint has been illus
trated and emphasized. In one OF
them greed for Negroes labor liz
charged to have resulted in q cold
bloodr' and atrocious murder.
Il Go not speak of this positively,
however, as yet, because in that parti
cular case, while am having u care
full investigation made, the official re
port Is not yet in hand. T wish to call
attention however, to complaint
made to me yesterday and the circum
stances of 1t and principally In the
hope the publicity may prevent a
threatened crime. Five Negroes, oil
apparently wcll.behaved ana industry
Gus farmers, each working his own
little farm, within so miles ot Allan
ta have been warnri by night riders to
leave the neighborhood. They come
to appeal to me for protection. THY
have been to the governors office but
as he was not In, a Secretary referr
ri them to me. I can, OF course, do
nothing. There Is no violation OF tho
Federal laws in what is threatened
Tho circumstances of the case and
matters which have heretofore come
70 my knowledge IN the same locality.
lead me to entertain the belief that
IN this particular case, the i;adcrIy-
ing purpose Is TO force the Negroes
TO sell and sacrifice their little homes.
was much mortified in being COM
PEELED to say that It was out OF my
fowdr TO extend them any protection
but was far more deeply mortified
In no. being able to answer this cues
non when they came back, after con
ference to Solemnly and seriously pro
pound: well, we have our wives
al our children ard our homes. If
tlfe night riders carry out their
thrcaS and come back "a attack us,
what do You advise us to do AS an
officer OF the United State could
not answer that question. The govern
ment cannot legislate in such cases,
ana has not attempted to do so. The
| onense is against the laws, of tho
state. cannot meddle in it. But(
believe my state and are Inundated.
AS an individual I know what would
do. But if I advised these Negroes so
know the consequences that would
follow to them and was and am
Inundated beyond expression, be-
cause could do nothing but advise
them to so to the sheriff and ask pro
lection. The people Of Georgia have
| no conception OF the mcanness and
cruelty with winch helpless Negroes
are Being treated. wish could make
the state to see and know the horrible
things that are being done and whl0h
come to my knowledge almost daily.
In the name Of a just and righteous
God I solemnly protest before the
people OF Georgia"