Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1921-01-15

I have practiced law in Georgia for up
wards Of % years, ever since I fin
ished lin the law school at Ann Arbor
Michigan. , ~. s.. - -.. 'F
The Chairman. When did you grad
uate? .-.e =. :
Mr.. johnson. Let mo see. i.
The Chairman. Just approximate.
~.
MT. johnson. About 1892 or 1898.
Senator Spencer. Then did you
move right down to Atlanta?
Mr.. johnson. Sir?
Senator Spencer. Where did you
move then?
Mr.. Johnson. ,Right straight back
into little country village of 1900
people.
The Chairman. Is that whore you
were born?
Mr.. Johnson. No, was born at
Augusta, Ga. educated In tho public
schools there, received my classical
training at Atlanta University at At.
lama, Ga, and took my professional
training at Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Senator Spencer. And now you live
whore?
Mr.. johnson. I went right straight
back to Jackson, Ca, and practiced
law right there In that country town.
Senator Spencer. that Ia where yoa
1.-Two now?
Mr.. johnson. Yes, sir; and then I
came back to Atlanta.
The Chairman. You live in Atlanta
now, do you not?
Mr.. johnson. Yes. sir; and l want
to say that I feel absolutely that /
bave the confidence and respect OF
every member OF the Georgia bar of
espectubiiily.
Senator Spencer. now, toll us what
per cent, lin your judgment, of the
colorcd vote OF Georgia that is eligi-
ole to vote is allowed to vote?
MI. johnson. Wal, there Is, in my
judgment, Senator, about S5 per cent
OIL the Negro vote In Georgia outrage
ousiy suppressed and disfranchiseo.
not under the forms Of the aw, but
by means Of brutal force and intimida
ton. N,.,s.# : -
senator Spencer. That Is, IS per
cent in YOUR judgment out of every
lou coiored men jim Georgia, who by
r'eht ought to vote, are kept from yot
ing?
Mr. Johnson. Yes, sir. We have In
the State of Georgia about 400 QUO
or 100000 Negroes, under the cen.
eus Of 1910 and we have about 700.
WV white people. There are about $50,
Wv or $4,000 more white folk in
georgia than there are black folk,
that Is, prior to the hSsira, mean
he mighty exodus.
senator Spencer. That is, in tie
Vast two or three yearsq
Mr.. johnson. The last three or
four years.
seNator Spence. Yes.
hr. Johnson. Growing out OF tho
state being honeycombed with blood
tuft' lynchAngs, and the insineration
OF human beings. for all manner Of
onenses, such &c disputlns a whito
saaa'H word.
The Chairman. You cay that many
co ored people arc aeaving Qeorgia?
Nj. johnson. Yes, cir. For the last
tour or five days I have taken it up.
ON myself. while In this town, to 10
down. here to the Polk Street station
where the Dixie Flyer comes in, and
where the Seminole Limited comes in
at the Twelfth Street Station he, 9
and whore the Royal Palm Limited
comes in, that comes from the heart
OF the South; and every time they
hlrn a human being in Georgia YOU
find tho poor peopl eof that race fill
ec with apprehension, travelling TO n
kindler shore. And in the last ,svca
days during which I have been here
there has not been day in which
there were not from 100 to 200 com.
ing into this town seeking refuge
from their tormentors.
Senator Spencer. What class of pco
pie are those generally?
Mr.. Johnson. Senator Spencer, to
my certain knowledge, some have
heen men Of the finest character that
l have known since I was q boy, men
who have been farmers, who have
lived on their farms, who owned them
and cultivated them, and others who
were tenants for farmers and wh,.
tofled for such wages as their employ
ers chose to give and were paid off
when their employers chose to my
them off. But beyond all that take
f"r instance, an incident which &C..
Cured at Milan. in Telfair County,
Ca, the case OF old man Washington,
IS or 70 years old, who lived across q
little old ctounry way in that turpen-
tine town from q family Of a woman
and two girls. The father had died q
year before-this occurred only seven
CT eight months ago-and when the
father died Of pneumonia there were
T." o sons, one Of whom died Mt Camp
Wheeler just shortly after the death
Of Congressman Gardner, at Macon.
In the service Of his country, and the
other boy was then wounded in the
hospital In Argonne Woods. One night
three drunken white rufflans went to
that homo. unprotected az it was by
reason OF the two sons having been
given 10 their country, and God AL.
mighty having taken the father--with
out any protection--three drunken
white rufffans went there at night 70
take those girls out, demanding them
to be Victims OF their dust. And when
nknw