Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-05-13


at length and in detail to two su-
perior court judges and solicitor
who a few days ago took him to task
for his published charges of mis-
treatment of negroes in Georgia.
thew having taken two of the cases
cited to themselves and their coun-
ties Governor Dorsey has given out
comics of his letters to the press
asking that they be given publicity
in an effort to apprise Georglans OF
the true status of affairs. He de-
tends the correctness of his position,
stands BY the most of the statements
made by him in the cases in contr0-
versy. His letter to the press and
that to the judges follow:
Letter to Press,
State of Georgia, Executive Depart
ment, Atlanta, May II, 1921.
Editor: | hand you herewith my
replies to two letters, one from
Judge Searcy, of Epson superior
court, the other from Judge Shurley,
of Toombs circuit addressed to me
IL governor, which recently appeared
in the public press.
These letters deal with matter OF
vital Importance to the people of
Georgia.
For this reason, I am handing you
copies of my replies with the re.
quest that they be given publicity.
Ninety-five percent cf the people
of Georgia are law-abiding. They be-
lieve in a policy Of justice and mercy
to the negro and to all others. In
this 95 percent, include the gentle
men to whom these letters are adj
dressed. The difficulty is that the
95 percent do not always know what
is happening throughout the state,
and what is being said with reference
to the state outside of its borders.
My only hope for the final solu
ton of the race problem in Georgia
and throughout the country is to fa-
miliarize this overwhelming MAORI
ty, who desire the enforcement of
our laws. with the facts.
For this reason, | ask the undi-
vidc1 help of the press in giving the
facts to our people and in appealing
tn. them to inaugurate and carry
through a policy of Justice. mercv
and mutual forbearance, which will
do more than all else in redeeming
the good name of Georgia, retaining
the labor so necessary to the develop
ment Of our state. and in SAVING our
people from the danger of mob law
and anarchy.
HUGH NJ DORSEY,
Governor.
Letter to Toorrbs Officials.
State of Georgia, Executive Deoart-
ment, Atlanta, May IL. 1921.
Hon. F. r. Shurlev. Judge Super
Tor Courts, Toombs Circuit, Warren
ton Ga.
Hon. NJ. L. Felts, Solicitor Gener-
al, Toombs Circuit, Warrenton, Ga.
Gentlemen: Replying to your let
ter of May 2, in which you express
resentment at my letter calling your
attention to the alleged mobbing of
Oscar Edwards, call your atten-
ton to the fact that mention of this
case had appeared in the press prior
to the publication of my letter In
my opinion, in view of the facts, |
should have been derelict in my
duty as governor if / had failed to
direct your attention specifically to
this case as it was reported to me.
One reason for this statement is
that in 1913 Spencer Evans, a negro
in Taliaferro county, appealed for
executive clemency. The AtIenta
Journal for Monday, March rs, 1918,
says:
''The negro was sentenced to &c
hanged last Friday on charge OF
criminal assault. Governor Dorsey
granted him a respite until Friday,
April 26. The lynching took place
a few hours after news of the respite
reached Crawfordville.
The negro who was lynched had