The Omaha guide., 1941-05-24
Sent To Prison Farm
for Protesting
Judges Use of
Word 'NIGGER'

roaded to the "Blue Jay" city phi
son farm here, Tuesday on trump
ed up charges of operating a news
paper without a city license and
contempt of court.
Arrested, jailed, tried in NUM-
cipal court before Judge /. MuEcy
Anderson, fined $500 cash and sent
to the city PRISON farm ali within
a period of a half hour was Spike
Washington, who for the past sew
EN- months has served as manag-
ing editor of the Florido Press, To-
cal weekly newspaper publication
and member of the Scott News
paper syndicate of Atlanta, one of
the most militant, progressive ard
~outspoken papers ever to be cir
culated in this city.
Two weeks ago the Florida
Press published an editorial urg-
ing in it that the prevalent use Of
"nigger'by police officers, white
witnesses and others in municipal
court be discontinued. The story
stated that the court had no dign-
ity and urged the judge elect,
Charles Miller, who defeated
Judge Anderson, in the recent
April primary election, to discoa-
tinue the procedure when he takes
over the bench on June 81.
Judge Anderson and the munie-
ipal Incense Inspector, J. Ray
Permenter, were furnished copies
of the Press in which the editorial
appeared and Immediately Wash
ington a sought to appear in
court. He was finally reached by
telephone and ordered to court on
Saturday of last week. He refus-
ed Tuesday morning two police Of
ficers were sent for Washington.
He was taken to Jail in the BLACK
Maria, the patrol wagon and APP
peared before Judge Anderson and
Mr.. Permenter with his counsel
who was hurriedly summoned to
court. Court for the day had adj
journed but the Judge held a spec
ial session for the sentencing of
this young journalist.
While counsel was arranging to
pay the 500, Washington was hur-
ried to the "Blue jay, where he
donned the prison garb, consisting
of a ragged pair of blue ~overalls,
an overall jumper with many rags
hanging frena It and hcas several
sizes too small for the prisoner.
Washington was arrested at 10
o'clock in the morning, without a
warrant, embarrassed and humil-
lated because he dared to write
the truth about a court which has
little respect for the colored citiz-
enry here.
The editorial which resulted in
this action follows:
LET'S DISCARD
NIGER JUDGE
"There are certain courtesies
and respects due even to dogs and
cats. Most of you will agree with
this. Since you do, you will fur
ther agree that there are many
not given that are due human be-
ings.
"Colored people are human be-
ings if our physiology is correct.
If our dictionary is correct colored
persons are human beings. Then
why shouldn't they be treated like
human beings in our local munic-
ipal court?
"There r certain things judges
of courts may do. He sets a pro-
gram by which his court is run.
There ri certain expressions he
asks officers and witnesses to re-
frain from using. His request
are granted usually.
soften we have heard the word
Niger" used in courts of our
city, mainly municipal court, when
reference is made to members of
our race. Judges in these courts
have permitted the practice until
the word is now a by word OF that
court.
Like a Boy Scout the first
act of our new young forward
moving and progressive judge, the
Hon. Charles Miller, should be the
| discording forever and ever of the
use of Niger in his court. AT
least we hope he does"
to Mr.. Hanger. general chairman