The northwestern bulletin., 1923-07-07
Timely Topics
BY Georqe w. Holbert

In submitting these articles to the
readers of the Bulletin, feel it but
just to explain that they are the per-
sonal opinions of the writer and in
no wise are to be construed as the
policy or attitude of this paper on
public questions. The BULLETIN
has an editorial staff that is fully
qualified to express the opinions and
policy of Bulletin on all such ques-
tions. Probably the most important
event in the-interests of the race of
recent occurrence was the launching
of the Urban League in st. Paul.
When we become more conversant
with it's workings and realize some
thing of it's civic, economic and indus
trial value, our people will fully sup
port it. I am sure. There is some
misunderstanding at present as to the
proper methods of organization, but
1t is hoped that all the factions may
get together harmoniously and let
personal ambitions step aside for the
good of the race in general.
Last week a Negro was arrested in
Savannah, Ca. charged with the usu-
al crime against white woman. In
accordance with the usual custom
mob of about two thousand formed
to have their little "iynching bee."
But the sheriff, whose name was Mer-
ritt "a most appropriate one) gath
ered his deputies together and told
them (the mob) to go home, as there
would be no lynching. They thought
1t was the usual official bluff that is
so often pulled down there, and
would not stop. When they had
crossed dead line" which the sher-
iff had designated he opened fire.
When the smoke had cleared away,
one of the mob was dead and num-
Der wounded and the sheriff still had
his prisoner. The governor then dis
patched some state troops and Savan-
nah was placed under martial law
for a period of three days and no one
was allowed on the streets after 8
P. NJ This incident Is related be-
cause ii shows that lynching can be
prevented when those in authority
make up their minds to that effect
and have the courage to perform
their official duties. Praise Is due to
Governor Hardwick and Sheriff Mer-
ritt for their vigorous stand for law
and order. or course, all good citi-
zens, both black and white, sincerely
regret that someone lost his life, but
IL somebody has to be killed in order
to preserve the dignity of the courts
and uphold the honor and good name
of the country, it's probably best that
1t was a member of the mob, for as
a general rule the kind of men who
compose mobs can generally best be
spared from community. Just how
much the work of the N. A. A. c. P.
and the recent propaganda in the in
terest of the Dyer anti-lynching bill
had to do with the awakening of
these officials to their duties is open
to conjecture.
Speaking of the N. A. A. C. p,
what's the matter with the Twin
Cities branches? In spite of the in
terest that was apparently aroused by
the visit of Congressman Dyer. there
has been scarcely any increase in the
membership of either branch. What's
the reason?
: In the death of former Congress
man F. C. Stevens, who passed ava,
last Sunday, our race has lost ,
champion and true friend Throughout
his entire term as member of Con
gress. He always espoused any caus,
for the just treatment of the Negro
2 For a number OF years he kept ou
own Mr.. Fred McCracken as his pri
vate secretary. In spite of the criti
cisms and overtures of his colleagues
he steadfastly refused to remove thi
member of the. race from the import
= ant position which he continued b
hold until Mr.. Stevens passed out o
: Office. Negroes throughout the coun
try will feel that in the passing o
l former Congressman Stevens tn
: race has lost champion and a pei
, sonal friend. Peace to his ashes!
Il Negroes OF Minnesota should Civ
careful study to the coming sens