Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-08

,ueu FdpiGly SINCE lS2G, tIic VI utdA
lynching. the State is credited by
Tuskegee Institute with swift pun
ishment of four white men who were
sentenced TO from 10 to Is years
for killing a Negro near Gastonia,
N. c.. in l941.
At least three of the defendants
in the Greenville Is. c. mass trial
were illiterate, a fourth acknowl-
edged second-grade education and
fifth had gone through the third
grade. Thomas Wofford, leading
defense attorney, observed later he
believed education for both races
eventually would be the solution to
lynchings.
In this connection, the Southern
Regional Council quotes statistics
showing that the IL States leading
in lynching since 1882 are the same
IL which rank lowest in education.
|, Here is the record:
Lynchings, 1882-l946-MiSsissippL
STA; Georgia, SIS; Texas, 4s8: LOU
isiana, 39l; Alabama, 346; Arkansas,
.2S5; Florida, 281; Tennessee, $50;
Kentucky, 205; South Carolina,
159; North Carolina, 90; Virginia,
80.
Education index Q946)-Missis-
sippi, So; Alabama, 70; Arkansas.
t73; Kentucky, IA; South Carolina,
rs; Georgia, IT; Tennessee, 80;
Louisiana, IS; Virginia, s6; North
Carolina, Sc; Florida. 81; Texas, 81.
(National average 1909
Anti-Lynch Laws Blocked
Proposals for Federal anti-lynch
laws have been bitterly opposed by
Southern Representatives and Sem
ators, often with resort to filibuster.
However, many sincere law-enforce-
ment officers doubt that Federal
statutes would greatly increase con-
victions.
These officials observe that even
III Federal agents brought charges,
and a Federal grand jury indicted,
defendants still would be tried in
their United States district court,
before juries chosen from their own
people.
| They agree, however, that Federal
statutes would greatly increase the
risk of complaisant sheriffs and
their deputies. who surrender pris-
oners without bona fide efforts to
protect them.
Other remedies have been pro-
posed, and in some instances sue.
cessfully tried. One Of these Is
citation for contempt Of court.
The United States Supreme Court
held Tennessee lynchers in con-
tempt when a Negro was slain In
1906 after the high court granted q
stay of execution. In 1901, Judge
Enson Of Alabama sentenced sew
eral witnesses for contempt in
refusing to testify in lynch in
vestigation.
Injunction Rarely Used
Another - infrequently used lis
the injunction. This was invoked
in 1922 by Judge Blanton Fortson OF
Athens, Ga, in restraining certain
named persons from further mob
violence against Negro.
| South Carolina officials believe
the Greenville verdict would have
been the same anywhere south OF
the Mason-Dixon line, except, pos
sibly, by a blue-ribbon jury. In
this connection, some Southern
authorities have suggested that
lynchings be investigated under
direction of the chief justice Of ths
highest appellate court, with a list
of jurors drawn from as many
adjoining counties as the court saw
fit. Prosecution would be headed
by the attorney general.
Quick change of venue for &C
cused prisoners, to avoid lynch ten
sion, also has been urged, along
with mandatory suspension of sher-
ifs from whom prisoners are taken.
One of the biggest obstacles to
any State prosecution, however, Is
the attitude of some local enforce
ment officers.
! Contrary to popular notions, less
than one fourth of the persons
were accused of assault on women.
The Southern Regional Council
lists the accusations as rape and
attempted rape. "a per cent; MUIR
der, 81 per cent, and all others, 80
per cent.
! Distributed By the Associated Press)