Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1942-10-24
Says3Lynchings
Will Lead To
Better Day Here
SAYS THREE LYNCHINGS WILL
LEAD TO BETTER THINGS
in STATE

JACKSON, Miss. Oct. 20-A COM
mittee of Negro Citizens of Jack
son, today, presented to Governor
Paul B. johnson, in his office IL
the new state Capitol Building
here, a letter on behalf of the
Paragon Brotherhood of the Pearl
Street AlIE Church, and its six
hundred members concerning the
three lynchings in the state DUR
ing the past week, and the ats
tudes and sentiments now preVe-
liant regarding its Negro Citizens.
Extending a most cordial re-
ception to the Committee, during
a conference which lasted nearly
an hour, the Governor assured the
committee of the sincerity OF his
efforts and purpose, as far as lay
within the powers of his office, to
bring those guilty of the lynchings
to punishment; emphasizing this
fact by saying that, in Jones Coun-
ty, he had caused the arrest OF
persons reputedly his political sup
porters, thought to have been i'm
plicated in the Laurel lynching.
Deploring the murder of the
Copiah County Jailer in what ap-
peared to have been an unprovok-
ed shooting by a Negro in Hazel
hurst last Saturday night, the Gov
ernor, at the sametime, pointed
out, in support of his stand against
lynching, that he had sent a group
of state police, especially sworn by
him to prevent lynching, to pro-
tect the Negro should he be cap
tured.
In revealing the presence or sub
versive activities in the state the
Governor stated that he had
brought this fact to the attention
of President Roosevelt during his
visit to the state a few days ago
and that since the lynchings some
positive evidence had been brought
to light.
With respects to the presence OF
harmful sentiments and attitudes
regarding the Negro problem in the
state the Governor reminded the
committee. of the responsibility OF
the intelligent leadership, both Ne
gro and white to work for a change
in these conditions.
In concluding his remarks, the
Governor said while the three
lynchings and present conditions
In the state presented dark pic
ture, it was his belief that they
would lead to far better condi-
ton than previously known in the
state.
The letter, presented on behalf
of the Paragon Brotherhood, at the
request of the Governor, was read
by Percy Greene, Editor OF the
jackson Advocate, and Field Secre-
tary Of the Organization.
+ Following the Governor, remarks
were made by DR.. S. d. Redmond
Rev. j. w. Hair, Presiding Elder OF
the Jackson District of the AME
Church, and Pastor Ben. j. Nolan
of Pearl Street AME Church. 9th
er members of the committee We're
DR.. A. M. Hair, and Joe Lewis
President of the PlaStererS ano
Cement F'inishers International OF
Miss.
The text of the letter is as fol-
lows:
His Excellency, The Governor
of Mississippi
Hon. Paul B. johnson,
State Capitol Building,
Jackson, Mississippi.
Dear Sirs:
The Paragon Brotherhood of
Pearl Street African Methodist
Church, Of Jackson, on the behalf
of its six hundred members here
by brings to the attention OF Your
Excellency their deepest concern
and alarm over the three lynch
ings that have occurred in the past
week and the attitude and Senti-
(Ccnt;nred on Pege ~