Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1946-08-17
SHERIFF BROWN and
RACIAL DISORDERS


Sheriff Leon Brown of Jonesboro, Arkansas set pot
tern for decency Of law enforcement in the South by dis
posing ntegentIy of racial clash there few days
ago.
The cose had to do with fight between several Me-
groes and writes Highway South Of Jonesboro the
night of August 5th Apparently the whites driving
ahead of the Negroes ghwoy and one OF the whites
fired several shots at the Negroes.
In short the evidence in this indicated that the
white men we're imposing the Negroes This OF course
resulted in clash between the white and Negro men, and
John Bennett Negro struck of the white with
hotchet in seIf-defense
The writer is not interested in the fight that occurred
between the whites and Negroes for is unfortunate that
such things happen but he is interested in the fact that
the sheriff upheld the law preserved order and melted out
Justice whom due regardless of race, creed
color Sheriff Brown sod that after thorough invesgo
ton he convinced that the Negroes bomeess and
that BENEFITS oction clearly of selfdefense
He therefore, released all six Of the Negroes and the
aggravated assault on the Negroes.
whites we're charged with assault with intent to kill and
Another fact in this case that is worthy of emulation
and which most law enforcement officers overlook that
Sheriff Brown was coo-heoded enough to conduct
thorough Investigation of the matter before ticking any
definite action.
We think that Sheriff Brown deserves commentator
and praise for his and fearless action in handling this
coe for doubt he had not acted wisely there might
have been serious racial disorders in that particular COM
munity We commend his action law enforcement Of
cer to officers of other Southern communities especially
those communities in which there to be series of
riots end racial disorders due to the fact that the officers
in charge apparently not carrying out their sworn
duties and obligations as law enforcement officers.
We are prosing Sheriff Brown simply because these
were Negroes involved for know that there Negroes
as well whites who have regard for decency
spect for the law of the land But want Sheriff Brown
to know that the thinking Negroes of Arkansas grote
full for his performance law enforcement officer as
relates other fellow Americans giving justice to those
who we're bomeIess in this case.
Only by officers of the law performing their just duty
as law enforcement officers can escape from the
clutches of Noz Ideals and the deceptive and dostordy
principles of the japanese which only served to wipe them
from the face of the earth.
America is to hold her place in world offoirs and in
human relationships, the work Of justice must begin in
her backyard This best be done by giving justice to
all Americans and by Furnishing all vioIotos Of the law to
the fullest extent, including lynch mobsters
Sheriff Brown has proved that minor racial fIy-ups
such happened in his community can be prevented from
growing into larger mshops by wise and careful handling
on the part Of the officers of the law
1t is our hope that other officers in other Southern
stotes will catch the spirit and vision of Sheriff Brown and
help curto the of rocio disturbances in this
try for Justice, as chory begins at home and spreads
abroad
Harvard Law School Graduate Is