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wt * f " i * ' < m f* > Uihf $ambn*g Sjrralb ->* ' ^ 'C * $2.00 Per Year in Advance : BAMBERG, S. C., THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1919# f Established w 1891 ? . ? i " r~ ., BYRNES TAKES UP - NEGRO QUESTION SENSATION CAUSED BY SPEECH IX HOUSE. V . " Calls For Action South Carolina Representative Declares Race Antagonism is Fostered Through Magazines. !?> ' r Washington, Aug. 25.?Declaring v; ' , that he had become convinced that V . Via mho oTifooTinicm nnw mnrnfpstine1" VUV 1C?W C*A-4 "V/ " wv?0 itself throughout this country is being ci?bulated through negro newspapers and magazines and that he had called for action by the department of justice, Congressman Byrnes, South Carolina, today addressed the ^ v house on this subject. The following is part of his speech, until stopped by Republican members who would not let him discuss the matter fur ther. "The recent race riots in Washington and Chicago ..and many other similar disturbances throughout the * country have caused the press to ^ speculate as to the underlying causes . of the conflict between the races. It W&jK + < v ^ is manifest that, when sanguinary conflicts take place in cities so widely separated and within so short a , * time, the cause is general and not v. - . local. The white man who reads the newspapers of the country knows that .. nothing has been done to change the attitude of the white man towards the negro race. .On the contrary, the very V generous si^port of the war by the negro caused the white people of the nation to entertain for him only the best of good feeling. For this sudden change in our relations then we must look to negro leadership to ascertain whether or not efforts have * been made to disturb the harmonious relations heretofore existing in this ^ country. I recently noticed in the f j press a statement quoting a professor : '* 7 at'Howard University (negro) as saying that after a trip through the i South he was convinced that there was imminent danger of the South becoming a 'little Russia.' Coming from Sjouth Carolina I think I know something of the negro and I was \ convinced that there" was absolutely ^ no foundation for the opinion of the professor of this negro university. In the South today the negro is prospering as never before in the history of his race. He is accumulating i-V-V' ' . money; he is purchasing land and through the assistance of the white man is daily bettering his condition. I^eft to ourselves there is no possiability of conditions arising in the South which would justify the de ^scription of a 'little Russia.' j "But the statement above quoted, together with the general speculation v * of the cause of the riots in WashingPton and Chicago, has caused me to inquire into the attitude of the negro press, and I have become convinced itself-throughout the country today is v due to the incendiary utterances of the would-be leaders of the race now being .circulated through negro newspapers and magazines. It is evident that the leadership of Morton and ethers, who, following in the steps of Booker Washington, preached conservation to the race, is now being challenged by a crowd of radicals who are appealing to the passions of the negroes and inciting them to deeds of violence. These radical leaders of |r- v, the negro race are urging their followers to resort to violence in order to secure privileges they believe themselves entitled to, and the recent \ . riots indicate that they are accepting thi$ advice. It is unfortunate * . that some negro leaders have changed their attitude^ inspired doubtless ** by the desire to promote the success ill A VIA/^iAaI 1 AO /I A foiT* lllllO / Ul LLiC i auiuii icaucio. n. lan muo" tration of this type of negro leader is W. E. B. Dubois, editor of the The Crisis, a magazine. Dubois has heretofore rendered great service to his people by intelligent leadership. He Required influence over many [ thoughtful negroes and, therefore, his capacity for evil is enlarged. The recent issiies of his magazine are filled with appeals to the prejudice and the passions of the negro which can have no other result than to incite him to deeds of violence. A fair example is an editorial in the May issue of The Crisis, page 13, where under the headline, 'Returning Soldiers,' he declares: 'We sing this ; country of ours despite all its better * souls have done and dreamed, is yet a shameful land. " 'It lynches?it disfranchises its ^ r .. own citizens?it encourages ignorance?it steals from us?it insults us.' "The espionage law still in force provides that 110 one shall wilfully print, write or publish any language intended to incite, provoke or encourage resistance to the United States, or who shall publisfy any abusive language about the form of government of the United States, shall be punished by a fine or imprisonment. If this editorial which refers to this as a 'shameful land' charging the government with- lynching. disfranchising its citizens, encouraging ignorance, and stealing from its citizens, does not constitute a violation of the espionage'law it would be difficult to conceive language sufficiently abusive to constitute a violation. Believing this to be true I have called this editorial to the attention of the attorney general with the request that he have proceedings instituted against Dubois. Xo greater service can be rendered to the negroes today than to have them know that this government will not tolerate, on the part of its leaders, action which tends to array them against the government under which they live and under which the negro race has made greater progress than it has under any other government on eafth. Letter From Officer. "In the same issue of this magaI zine, page 20, is carried with the approval of its editors, a letter written # by a negro officer in France containing this statement: " 'I am beginning to wonder whether it will ever be possible for me to see an American (white) without wishing that he were in his satanic majesty's private dominion. I must pray long and earnestly that hatred of my fellowman be removed from my heart and that I can truthfully lay claim to being a Christian.' "But if the policy of these men and these newspapers is calculated to bring about race conflicts in ttiis country, what can we expect of the Challenge, edited by William Bridges, and of the Messenger, which boasts that it is the only radical negro magazine in America. The Messenger is edited by A. Philip Randolph, and Chandler Owens. It is printed upon paper of as fine, if not finer, quality than any magazine in circulation today. It does not carry a half dozen advertisements outside of its own. It is therefore, evident that it is being supported by contributions, from some source, and the material in the magazine is conclusive that the source from which the support comes is inimical to the existence of this government. It appeals to the establishment of a Soviet government. It praises the treatment of the negro soldier by the Germans, as contrasted by the treatment of the negro by the allied forces. It urges the negro to join the I. W. W., pays tribute to Debs and prays for the establishment of a Bolsheviki government in this land. "In view of these statements published in July and simijar publications, it is not very difficult to ascertain the source of the trouble that brought about these recent riots in Washington and Chicago, and threatens to disturb the peace of other large cities. (There can be no other result from the continued publication I ana circulation 01 tnese magazines.; "This is the propaganda being circulated among the negroes. It can only result in the shedding of blood, not only of the white man. but of many innocent ignorant negroes, who are misled by these men into committing acts of violence. If -the espionage law does not empower the department to suppress such publications, then it shotfld be4 so amended as to confer that power. I believe in a free press, but just as some of our people are unable to distinguish between liberty and license, there are those who are not able to dis! tinguish between a free press and a revolutionary press, whose object is to overthrow governments and destroy the happiness, peace and prosr*oritv nf mir npnnle. 1V V4. V-* "It took us a long time to realize the evil of the foreign language press, in which strange doctrines were being taught to those who came from other lands, but who are now included in our citizenship. We place them today under close surveilance in order that they may not menace the safety of our government by the circulation of revolutionary doctrines. Tn like manner must we prevent the T. W. W. from using its funds for the publication of newspapers seeking to bring about a revolution between the races of this country. "And the negro leaders may as J GOVERNOR COOPER ! DISCUSSES H. C. L. GIVES INTERVIEW .AFTEII ATTEXJ)I XG COX FEREXCE. People to Know Facts Says Xeed of Hour Is the Increased Production of Foodstuffs. ^ Washington, Aug. 30.?Governor Cooper, of South Carolina, who has been here for the past two days at-1 tending the governor's conference called because nf Pres;dpnt Wilcnn'c reference to cooperation between the federal and State governments in the high cost of living and general unrest problems, was asked this afternoon how the matters discussed at the conference affected the Palmetto State. The Governor replied: "The way it appears to me, speaking for South Carolina, and bearing in mind the duty and privilege of the people of South Carolina to serve the whole country in the emergency which is now world-wide, is that the need of the hour is an increase in the production of foodstuffs and conservative buying of the necessaries of life. "So far as I l$now there is no hoarding in our State, and I am not expecting any prosecutions there by the federal government. While conditions in South Carolina may be entirely satisfactory, there is unqestionably a very unsatisfactory condition in our section of the United States. I think the government will give the people full information as to the reasonable cost of production; then public opinion will furnish the remedy. Take the matter of shoes, for example. It is generally reported that a pair of shoes that is sold by the retailer for $15 is produced and delivered to the retailer at a cost of $7.50 to $9. I do not know whether this is true or not. If it is, the fact should be ascertained by the government and the government should let the people know it. "Whenever there is a combination or agreement between individuals or corporations to maintain unreasonable prices on any of the necessities of life, and by reason of any such combination or agreement they are in a position to maintain any such fixed prices, a proper case for prosecution is presented. It is quite evident that the original producer of the raw/' material is not responsible for excessive prices. The difficulty will be found somewhere in the process between the original producer and the consumer." Governor Cooper called on the North Carolina delegation at the capitol. Adjutant General Moore was present at the same time and the question of the National Guard was discussed to some extent with the delegation. This problem as it affects South Carolina and many other States has been fully presented to Secretary of War Baker by Governor Cooperand nther State executives who are here. Pending Mr. Baker's consideration of the matter, the Governor preferred not to comment for publication upon it. well re&lize at once their responsibility. Ninety per cent, of the people of this country are white, ten per cent, are black. The negro problem , is no longer a Southern problem, if the negro in recent years has emigrated from the South to the North, and the Anglo-Saxon of the North today has towards the negro the same feeling as the Anglo-Saxon of the South. For years it was truly said that the North had the principles, but the South had the negroes. Today the North also has the negroes. I and with the coming </f the negro, I many of those principles have departed, People of the North have come to realize that in the absence of the negro they could believe in political and social equality of the races, but that whenever the negro in any large number come into a community or State, that belief is swept away by that which is greater than constitutional or legislative enact-, ment: namely, a new instinct of a human being. We can provide employment for every negro who in re7 cent years ieft the South, but if they have been inoculated with the doctrines being preached through the negro press of the North and astertain any desire for social or political equality we have in the South no employment for them and no room for them. "It is stated that in inducing ne-1 i ) i KEEPS UP AVERAGE. Slate's Homicide Record Excites Williams's Comment. Secretary G. Croft Williams, of tlie State board of charities and corrections has been studying the prevalence of crime since the war. He says he is astonished to find that in the North and the West homicides have dec-rased since the armistice was signed. Air. Williams has received a letter from the secretary of the State board r * of charities and corrections of New Hampshire, in which was the following statement: "The situation in New Hampshire does not appear to be the same as in South Carolina. The only indictments for homicides in this State for the past year have been for deaths caused by the recklessness of automobile drivers, while the number of commitments for other offences has been materially reduced." There are not a dozen counties in South Carolina that could show so good a report as this. "From the press dispatches." Mr. Williams said. "I conclude that we continue to keep our average of one homicide a day in this State. Many of these homicides are of a brutal and revolting character, showing a state of mind that is depraved and beyond all call for the common good. A new factor in the growth of homicide is the number of accidental killings, these are usually committed by young boys that are allowed to toy with deadly weapons. "Why is it that South Carolina must have a killing a day when New Hampshire can thrive without a killing a year? Is it that we have some superior stuff in us that is manifested in this manner, or is it because of a different kind of machinery for the gaining of justice, or is it the prevalence of a false notion that honor is test satisfied at the end of a pistol? Whatever may be the cause, the number of persons that hav& died as a sacrifice to prejudice, passion and vengeance is beyond all reason. Ar* South Carolinians of such a miserable breed that it is necessary for 4 J * 1 1. 1 J _ i. A 1 1 ^ O tnem 10 oe siaugnuerea ai uus rate: It is time that we face this question honestly and ask ourselves what we should do about it." RELIC OF BYGONE DAY. Yest Seventy-Six Years Old Owned By Barnwell County Man. Barnwell, Aug. 28.?S. J. Carroll, who lives near Long Branch church, a few miles from Barnwell, is the possessor of an old vest, that is quite a curiosity to the people of this generation. The cotton of which it was made was grown near Reedy Branch church, this county, by the late Sam Williams, the thread being spun and cloth woven by his wife, who also made the garment. The cloth was dyed with home-made indigo dvgrstfd the color is remarkably well preserved. The vest is known to be at least 76 years old and is possibly older. It was given to Mr. Carroll by his mother and he prizes it highly for its family association. groes to emigrate from the South to Chicago, negro employment leagues have held hope of social equality, and negroes upon their arrival are taken to the "royal garden" where they are permitted to mingle with the debased white women who frequent that rej? r* *-> tr caii f t>_ Still. X UCiC IS ill! 1UUI1I 111 a 11,? ern State for any negro who has been entertained at the "royal garden." His return to the South with his boast of conquest can only result in exciting the lust of some innotent negro and causing his early death. For notwithstanding all of the efforts that have been made by the press and pulpit to discourage lynching, the fact remains that whenever a negro attacks a white woman in the South only extraordinary measures can avoid a lynching. I know that it is true lynchings have taken place for other provocations and that is the result of public sentiment sustaining mob law for any provocation. But the press and pulpit and leaders of the sourn have always condemned it, and in my own State T rejoice to say that few lynchings have taken place within the last decade. The peculiar thing to my mind is that while the negro leaders and many white men of other sections, join the leaders of the South in condemning lynching, they seldom join us in condemning th6 crime of the negro that provokes the lynching." This speech created a tremendous sensation in the house and leaders after other parliamentary tactics failed forced adjournment. CARMACK'S SLAYER VICTIM OF MURDER MOWN* J. COOPER IS MYSTERIOUSLY KIJjLEI) NEAR HOME. \ Murderers Unidentified Tragedy Recalls the Most Notable Trial in History of Yolunteer State. Nashville. Tenn.. Aug. 30.?Robin J. Cooper, a Nashville attorney, whose trial for the killing of former United States Senator Edward \Y. Carmack during the celebrated pistol duel between his father, Col. D. B. Cooper and Carmack, in 190S, attracted country-wide attention, has been murdered here under mysterious circumstances. Cooper's body was taken from RirhlanrT rrppk tnrln\T ennn uftor Viic blood-stained automobile had been found on a bridge near his home in the fashionable .Belle Meade Park section. The skull had been crushed, but there was evidence that a violent struggle had taken place before the fatal blow was struck. A coroner's inquest late today developed no clues to the murderer or murderers, but the police are proceeding on the theory that Cooper was lured from his home by persons determined to rob him. This theory is based largely upon evidence that Cooper drew $10,000 from a bank a short time before he disappeared last Thursday night. Lured From Home. The authorities assume that the young lawyer was lured from his home to the secluded bridge over the creek and there done to death. The condition of the clothing indicated that he had been dragged some distance before he was thrown into the water. Physicians who examined the body said the small amount of water found in the lungs was evidence that Cooper was dead when dropped into the creek. Mrs. Cooper, who is a daughter of Milton J. Smith, president of the Louisville and Nashville railroad, has been visiting relatives in Louisville. TCv.. and her absence accounts for the fact that the disappearance of her husband did not become known until today. There was no evidence that the Cooper home had been robbed after the murder and some doubt has been expressed that the murderers could have expected that the lawyer would have any great sum on his person. His empty pocketbook, however, was found in the bottom of the 'automobile. Governor Offers Reward. Governor Roberts has offered a reward of $500 for the arrest and conviction of the murderers of the lawyer. This was later supplemented by the offer of a similar amount by the family. The police admit that they have nothing on which to work in solving the mystery. The Carmack tragedy, the most notable in the history of Tennessee, grew out of the Carmack-Patterson race for governor in 1908, in which Col. D. B. Cooper, father of Robin J. Cooper, was one of Patterson's closest advisers. Tn the fatal encounter which oc currert on an uptown street or .\asnville November 9, 1901. the son fired the shot which ended earmark's life and in the shooting was himself wounded. Father and son were convicted of murder in the second; degree in the lower court, but on the appeal of the case to the supreme court, the verdict was reversed as to the son, the judges standing 3 to 2. The verdict as to Col. Cooper was sustained 3 to 2, but before leaving the capitol the father was pardoned by Governor Patterson. The case against Robin J hooper, when it came up again in the Davidson county criminal court, was drop pen. Fatal Wreck at Allendale. Allendale, Aug. 30.?A. Goldman, a negro ex-soldier, was instantly killed. two white men were painfully injured and a second negro was, it is said, fatally injured when a log train composed of two trucks and an engine, loaded with logs, was completely wrecked at a lumber mill at Martins. Witnesses say the weight of the two log trucks pulled the engine down a grade which it had just climbed and this caused the wreck. APPLIES FOE $600 REWARD. Offered By State of South Carolina in 1877 for Five Men. Columbia. Aug. 30.?G. W. Fisher, of Tryon. X. C., inquired of the office of Governor Cooper about a reward of $300 offered by the State of South Carolina for the delivery of five men, alleged to have been implicated in the killing of James Ledford, at Landrum's Station. Spartanburg county, S. C.. June 12, 1S77. James C. Derieux, secretary to the governor has unearthed a proclamation issued by Wade Hampton, when Chief Executive of State, offering a reward of $300 each for the apprehension and arrest of John Weaver, Bud Casey, Frank Moss, William Ford and Henry Vernon, alleged to have been implicated in the murder of James Ledford. The proclamation was dated July 19, 1877, and was .signed by R. M. Sims, secretary of State. - The letter of inquiry for G. W. Fisher was written by George A. Cash, justice of the peace and notary public, of Trvon, X. C., and stated that Fisher captured William Beach and Frank Moss delivering them to the authorities of Spartanburg county and that he has filed application to receive his reward of $600, although he took the mattei\ up with former Governors Ellerbe and Heyward. The proclamation of Wade Hampton makes no reference to William Beach and Charles Beach, mentioned in Mr. Cash's letter as being two of the accused men for whom rewards were issued. DENTIST UNHURT IN ATTACK. l > Policeman Fires Five Times at Dr. Lucius L. Toole, Columbia. Columbia, Aug. 28.?M. C. Sligh, policeman at Bennettsville, Marlboro county, was lodged in jail, in Columbia tonight after firing five shots at Dr. Lucius L.. Toole, Columbia dentist. All the shots went wild, as ^everal persons grabbed the infuriated man, who continued to firein the air and into the street. That no one was hit seems almost miraculous, as Keith's Theatre on the same block had just let out from the first performance and hundreds of people were passing, many of them directly by the couple along Main street. Apparently there was no occasion for the shooting. Dr. Toole and his family had been to the- show and were in the act of getting into their automobile when Sligh, who was apparently under'the influence of some narcotic or alcoholic beverage, began cursing Dr. Toole. A blow or two passed and Sligh drew his pistol and began firing. Sligh was lodged in jail, several serious charges lodged aginst him. He was formerly a member of'Columbia police force and a tendency to drink then was manifested, it is said. LOWER PRICES COMING. Vigorous Action Promised Against Produce Profiteers. Washington, Aug. 30.?Unless reductions in wholesale food prices re- i suiting from sharp breaks on the produce markets are passed on to iriffArnnt: prHnn will be 111C LUIiOllllitl I ? taken by the department of justice, it was said today.- Since most dealers now are cooperating in the campaign to reduce living costs, officials said the lower wholesale prices should be reflected on the retail market in the near future. Profiteering on sugar virtually has ceased, according to Judge Ames, assistant to the attorney general, in charge of administering the food control act. Eleven cents, he said, now is accepted as the just price by dealers throughout the country. CONDITION COTTON 58.2 PER CT. ? - C11 V Results Will iTonauiy^nnow unrgest Yield lied notion Ever Recorded. \ Columbia, Aug. 2S.?The American Cotton Association issued the fol- v lowing report tonight, placing the condition of the cotton crop on August 25 at 58.2 per cent. The government crop report, giving condidition on August 25, will be issued September 2. There was a difference of only .1 per cent, in the last American Cotton Association report and. the government report. ^ < ? There was one thing never held against Nero; he didn't take an en core. ' \ : :: -v ? ' . '.Cv5t