| Case(s) | |
|---|---|
| Source Type: | Newspaper |
| Author: | n.a. |
| Publisher: | The Times-Democrat |
| Place of publication: | New Orleans, LA |
| Date of publication: | 5/7/1904 |
| Transcript: | Special to The Times-Democrat. Montgomery, Ala., May 6. – Moved by recent lynchings of negroes in Baldwin and Autauga counties, Acting Gov. Cunningham to-day gave out a strong public statement, defining his views on mob law. He declares that if it becomes necessay to clear up certain points of law and to suppress lawlessness he will call an extra session of the Legislature. At the same time he issues a circular letter to the circuit judges of Alabama, requesting their support in punishing guilty persons and asking advice as to the best methods to pursue. There is a conflict in the statutes providing for special terms of court, the circuit judges holding that the Governor must order special terms and the Governor holding that he is without authority to do so. He accompanies his letters with an opinion from the Attorney General, wherein the attitude of the Governor is sustained. Gov. Cunningham also wrote Circuit Judge Anderson again, urging that he convene a special term of the Baldwin county court to investigate the lynching of Reuben Sims, the negro who murdered C. D. Cole, a prominent citizen, three weeks ago. Judge Sayse will convene the Circuit Court of Autauga county to inquire into the lynching of Gaines Hall, a negro, last Saturday. Hall assaulted a white woman. |
| Citation: | “To Suppress Lawlessness; Governor of Alabama Declares Lynchers Must Be Punished.” The Times-Democrat (New Orleans, LA), May 7, 1904. |