Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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i HE LIGHTHOUSE AND INFORMER. COLUMBIA, S. C. PAGE FOUR SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1954 telephone 1-7079 TELEPHONE 2-7079 Published by The Lighthouse Publishing Co., Inc., at 1507 Harden St., Columbia, S. C. MRS. A. W. SIMKINS Acting Editor Subscription Rates, must be paid in advan ce: 1 yr., $3.75; 6 moe., $2.50; 3 mos., $1.50 Price Per Copy—Ten Cents Advertising Rates on request: Represented nationally by Interstate United Newgpap era, Inc., 545 Fifth Avenue, New York City DEADLINES: News and stories by noonon Tuesay. Display ads, 10 A.M. Tuesday Entered as 2nd class matter in the Post Office, Columbia, S. C. under Act, Mar. 3,1875 Note: Checks, orders, etc. should be made payable to The Lighthouse Publishing Ce. CALL THE ROLL Gorernor James F. Byrnes claims that nothern interference in the affairs of his civilization causes unrest among the Negroes, who otherwise we gather, would be as contented as the cows that give Carnation milk. Let’s call the roll of those who are supposed to be upsetting the equilibrium of South Carolina Negroes: Walter White, executive secre tary of NAACP; born in Georgia, native of Atlanta; forged and puri fied for fighting under fire for the rights of his people by his youthful experiences in the Atlanta race riot; Thnrgood Marshal, "Mr. Civil Rights,” world’s foremost civil rights attorney and chief NAACP counsel; born “up-South” in Balti more; James M. Hinton, South Carolina NAACP conference resi- -THE GOVERNOR? Governor James F. Byrnes has worked up another tizzy in his series of tantrums over the full citizenship program of NAACP. In fact, it seems that the Governor is fast becoming as allergic to NAAC P as many thousands of South Carolinians are already allergic to him. Now, Mr. Byrnes has been suf ficiently specific to say that NAA CP, if saccessful in the Clarendon case, will begin “the end of civili zation in the South as we have known it,” the “we” being the dis ciples and constituency at large of Dixiecratism. The cat is out of the sack. That South which is mere imagery in the mind of the governor, “Byrnes South” which is not the present South at all, cherishes a rancid, fermented, maggot infested civili zation all its own. It wants no part and is utterly incapable of appreci ating any t part of the new world order of free men and enlarged vision. dent; born in Alabma, lived almost all of his life in the deep South. Modjeska M. Simkins, state NAA CP conference secretary; bom and reared in Columbia, South Carolina, where she has lived her entire life; child of parents of rugged, fearless character; forged for front line fighting when as a child she and her family were victims of mob violence in Arkansas. Lewis G. Byrd of Cheraw, con ference treasurer, native of North Carolina, and for years a resident of South Carolina; Dr. B. T. Willi ams, of Sumter treasurer of state NAACP legal defense fund; bom and reared in Elloree, South Caro- Albert C. Redd, executive sec retary, bom and reared in Colum bia. Now if one receives a blow on the head, it is unnecessary as well as assinine to send “north” to get someone to tell him that he has pain and that a “hickey” is rising ! CIVILIZATION The fast emerging world order, which is properly re-evaluating the respect and regard due all men re cognizes now that because of lyn ching bees, once openly condoned in the halls of Congress by Mr. Byrnes; because of the now pre valent wanton, unexplained, and often unpublished deaths of Ne groes; because of wage different ials due to color alone and with absolute disregard of the merit of minority workers, because of the denial to Negroes of certan job opportunities, even in tax-support- edcatagories; because of the cruel exploitation of sharecroppers, ten ant farmers, and Tobacca Road sters; because of schools that make the “separate but equal” claim a lie hundreds of thousands of times; because of the dual school system which makes butts of ridicule of thousands of Negro and white youth as they enter nothera an western schools; and for many other reasons, the white supremacy civilization as Our Dear Governor on noggin where he got that lick. In a graet emergency, however, he may need to do as Governor Byrnes did in sending “north” to get John W. Davis, attorney, to help him fight the Clarendon case, since the great University of South Carolina Law School had not pro duced a man sufficiently well versed and seasoned to face Thur- good Marshall, as chief counsel. Also, it will be remembered that the law school at the State Norman and Industrial College for Negroes at Orangeburg, “seperate but equal” to the University Law School has yet to graduate such a lawyer. So, NAACP and Governor Byrn es are truly seperate but equal ia seeking outside assistance in their respective emergncies. Let’s call the roll and set the record straight. would like it to be and remain, “has got to move.” A popular Columbia -city school teacher telephoned this wek to ask that editorially thanks constructive good in changing the South’s motheaten Byrnes-blessed civiliza tion. If NAACP can purge a mentally and emotionally sick South, as Byrnes gives the organization credit for being able to do through its legitimate fights against segre gation, the Lightouse says, “Praise the Lord, and support the NAACP.” Mr. Byrnes may as well try to lay his little finger across the mouth of the Mississippi and scream to his conjured up father- god to help him prevent the “Father of Waters” from surging on to the sea as to make the effort to throw himself as a roadblock across th path of human progress. It cannot be done, My Dear Governor! You are fumbling around in a dead past, and the whole world knows it. THE MAN WHO WON’T BE THERE On or before April 10, every person above 21 years of age in Columbia and Richland county who does hold a registration certificate dated January 1, 1948, or later, should present himself at the Rich land county court house to qualify for voting on June 8. All citizens in every other county should check their respective court houses and local newspapers for specific registration dates. I n some counties the book will be open the entire month of April and on May 3, 4, and 5. In any event, there should be no question about being ready to vote on June 8. An unregistered citizenss is not worth three whoops in Hades on Election Day; being absolutely without citizenship value as a voter. The unregistered voter is not a real man, and he cannot be a real man because he cannot say who help decide who will tax and rule him. Are you ready? If not, get ready at once, as books are now open. Don’t be the man or woman who cannot be there on Election Day. LONG LIVE THE UGHTHOUSE “The Lighthouse is still alive, u i !e-awake, and slugging,” said a letter to agents, friends, and sub scribers, this week. And the Light house wiH continue to slug it out with all individuals and forces that would impede progress in South Carolina by threatening the con-1 stitutional rights and human ' dignity of the people of this State. A staunch supporter in all co n- structiv movements, and an arch enemy of injustice, bigotry, je- magouery, inequality, and racism, the Lighthouse will continue to be a necessary instrument and a driving force in the social struggle underlying the revolution of thought and action here in South Carolina. Confident that we are right, and knowing that those who are right are in league with God Almighty in His divine plan for all men, we shall continue to serve, even “be yond the ine of duty,” if necessary. iployee is one who has ecurity card available , to every new employ- .rting to work, arnings posted to your ty account? Consult security office and ae sure to gei age and survivors insurance pp, tection, which you pay for through payroll deductions, by showing your social security account num ber card to every employer before starting to vork. Old-age and survivors insurance under social security is financed entirely by contributions of work ers and their employer, and the self-employed. “But, Where Are The Plans For Self Government?” SEEIN’ STARS With Delores Calvin NEW YORK CITY ..(CNS) .. The late Dusty Fletcher, who died this week of a stroke, was one of the most talented come dians, but refused to change his routine.. Just a couple of weeks ago when he played his last performances at the Apollo The atre. w e remarked that his routine, never changed was now even slipping., not realizing that it was Dusty’s life that was slip ping away. On stage Dusty was the perfect bum, with flapping shoes, torn shattered clothes and top hat... His routine, which didn’t win fame until 1947 tho ugh he had been doing it for many many years befor e was i “Open The Door, Richard.”.... and one of the best lines for his sketch was “I know you must be up ther e Richard caus e I got the only suit on”! Off the stage, Dusty wa s the immaculat e country gentleman always wearing silk shirt s and his famous tie pin with the words “Dusty” in diamonds-.. He cracked hi s jokes so dryly on e never knew when he was serious Or kidding. Once h e said times wer # getting bad and he was up alj night thinking how to convert his beautiful powder blue Cadillac into a taxi In recent years he wa s forced to cut down on the capers which went with his act climbing the ladder to the top and falling off as a drunken man was one of his favorit e sunts.. and even at 51 year s old, he wouldn’t cut it out. and so as the press remak- ed at the news of his death: “Dusty has closed his final door.” At the funeral — where Ethel Waters cried and where show people from many acts and eras gathered to pay final tribute, there was a beautiful array of flowers, one unusually huge piece designed as a door on the theme “Open The Door, Richard” And though ther e were many comments on the obituary, we thought the subject most ap propriate and of sincere mean ing The Abysinnian Baptist minister built words of wisdom around “Open Th e Door” — cit ing that at the time when th® song was at its peak, many doors wer„ open to Negroes by many Rchards — and that Dusty in his comical way was proud of this (perhaps that’ s why he new er changed th e routine) — for in 1947 just after the war. Ne groes were admitted for the first tim e into many field where doors had been tightly closed. There Is A Lad Here — by J. William Witherspoon, Sr. Last week, in this column, the above subject was discussed. It was deduced from the Gospel according to Saint John, 8-9. The analysis is an attempt to emphasize the fact that the nation’s hope is in the potential strength and resources of its youth. This lesson, learned by the Master’s disciples, may be applied with profit by any genera- ■"i We recognize the vexing prob lems of adolesence: the Niagara of enthusiasm, and energy, and am bition. Young people in our times are exposed to modifying pressures not experienced, nor even imagined, by generations of the 19th century. We have seen boys and girls fall prey to evil influences and threat ened with the loss of self respect. At least, in every area of ife, they are beseiged with a pseudo-reli gious propaganda, in which a thousand hands stretch forth to lay EDITORIAL COMMENT The following is an editorial in the February 15, 1954, issue of the St. Petersburg Times, St. Peters burg, Florida: A Challenge To Fla. Brotherhood “Nearly five years ago the state was electrified by what has become known as the ‘Groveland rape case.’ "A young woman in Groveland, which is in Lake County some 70 miles northeast of here, claimed that she had been raped by four young Negroes. “Ono of the four suspects was killed by a posse. In an atmosphere of race hatred and tensions so strong that the National Guard had to be called out to stop rioting, the other three were tried and found guilty . One, 16-year-old Charlie Greenlee, was given life; the athei two sentenced to death. “The U. S. Supreme Court or- Getting Along By i^aureen White NEW YORK. (GLOBAL) •• People get in trouble when they overdo. People are likely to choke when they bite off more than they can chew. It seems Senator Joseph R. McCarthy of Wisconsin has done both. In his wild scramble to gain powei tnd prestig e for himself, and if possible rid the nation of Com munists. he has been slightly them even with the dust. This unpleasant situation is a tragedy which challenges every character-moulding agency in our culture. As these young travelers incline to go down the wild-beast track - the track of the animal nature - our duty is to stand at the cross-roads, and fling the danger signal. We are to direct them where inspired ideals will be “a lamp unto their feet, and a light unto their path.” tor McCarthy has done a le has alerted the Ameri- >ublic to the danger s of unism in American life. s exposed some Commun- e has gained the attention >spect of thinking Ameri- But like many ambitious i e had to overdo It is rhen the Senator sees a unist behind every tree In matters of religion, the devo tion of youth is evident. This is no attempt to advance Rousseau’s phi losophy. But we are convinced that under normal conditions, the de velopment of youth is easily reli- lious. However, unlike the adult, his religion is rollicking and positive arc content with the somber significance of the aitei the cross. Dreary outlines are made on the walls of our churches, em blems of suffering and sorrow are exalted, and thinking these a part of religion - we associate the weird symbols of our surroundings with the depressing experiences of our past. This is in contra-distinction to the pattern on which youth builds his concept of the Christ. He will have no part of a religion of “hard dered a new trial for these two, Samuel Shepherd and Walter Lee Irvin. When they were being taken from the state prison back to Lake County for re-trial they allegedly attempted to escape and Shepherd was shot ot death and Irvin badly wounded. Irvin again was convicted and sentenced to the electric chair, and again his attorneys appealed. “A week ago Monday the U. S. Supreme Court refused to review the Florida Supreme Court’s affir mation of the sentence. “Now the Florida Committee on Social Justice — a group of white ministers — is appealing to the State Pardon Board to commute Irvin’s sentence to life imprison ment. “A great many persons who studied thri case with great caie, including two Times’ reporetrs who worked on it for weeks, were never convinced of the gu he four defendants. There were uo.explain- Ln every closet and under every bed that h e excites tbo wraht of th e American public. Most Am ericans are patriotic, law abid ing citizens- They appreciate our way of life an< ^ want it pre served. The last thing they want i a regimentation. They know that when democracy works, people have mor e freedom, while under Communism, people have less freedom. Americans want freedom and the individual who contributes toward preserving whether he is a Communist ex- and maintaining their freedom b e attacked. Many Americans terminator or a Communist will ! feel that McCarthy treatens our freedom. ones” and “bitter pills.” He re fuses to accept any religion that will add chaos and terror to the world's present store of misery. . . Rather, he would choose a heroic Christ; a fighting, plunging, con quering Christianity. He seeks a Theology which teaches that God is in the world, not destroying it, but reconciling it unto Himself. We seldom find youth with solemn face, in th- “amen comer" offering long prayers, and singing loud hymns. . . Youth is rarely given to outbursts of emotionalism. With youth, behavoir is the true measure of godliness. Good reli gion and good conduct are mutually inclusive. Youth knows that the Holy Ghost, at times, will set upon the Church: there will be showers of grace and glory, and sinners must hide themselves under Cal- 'vn.j 1 -Csogs But youth is anxious to know if the Church nas an, lunch for a leg-weary multitude, any balm for a wounded world. When the sermon ends, and the shouting is over, and the singing subsides, youth is going to look for the print of the nails in our hands. 4nd unless there can be observed in our bodies the marks of the Lord Jesus, youth wll not believe. Let’s not forget. There is a lad in our midst. ed discrepancies in evidence and other strange elements in the case against the four. In a calmer climate of opinion it seems certain that at least ‘a reasonable doubt’ as to guilt woud have been in the minds of the jurors. “Now that the fires of passion | have cooled, in the spirit of Brotherhood w cen it would seem .ilting for the Pardon Board and Acting Governor Johns to commute Irvin’s sentence. With two of the accused dead anu me other two m prison for life, even a vengefu •justice’ would seem served. And because there is doubt it is possible that sometime in the future it might turn out that the < )Ur were not quilty. It will then be too late for true justice if Walter Lee Irvin is electrocuted. Both compas- ,ion and calm judgement argue for his sentence to be changed to life mprisonment. down the props of our nation, and most newspaperr that re sent McCarthy tactics ar e not i left wing organs as the Senator - has accused them of being. Sena tor McCarthy’s thrist for blood 1 ha s made him take on the Army j the e ntire Democrat party about one half of the Republican party History of The Groveland Case The now famous Groveland case had its beginning July 16, 1949, when a 17-year old white girl re ported she was “raped” by four Negroes in Groveland, Lake County Florida. Samuel Shepherd and Walter Le lervin, both 22, and Charles Greenlee, 16, were arrested the Walter Lee Irvin on a lonely road while enroute from the state peni- tentairy at Raiford to Tavares. December 6, 1951, a motion for a change of venue was agan asked by defense attorneys and this tim® granted by Judge Futch. However, the Judge barred Thurgood Mar shall, Director-Counsel of the Legal following day and charged with the j Defense and Educational Fund, and crime. The fourth suspect, Ernest (jack Greenberg, assistant counsel Thomas, about 26, were shot and f rom taking part in the trial at killed by a sheriff’s posse in a back that time. The trial was transferred wood swamp where he allegedly from Lake County to the adjoining had resisted arrest. County of Marion and was set to The reported crime stirred up a begin February 11, 1952. great deal of race hatred, antagon- The second trial began February ism and prejudice and the entire n Marshall and Greenberg were Negro community in Groveland and then admitted to try the case, other surrounding communities had which lasted three days, to flee their homes, farms, and bus- j On February 14, 1952, Walter inesses to escape harm. Lee Irvin, standing alone, was On July 20, 1949, the three re- again condemned to die by an all- maimng suspects were indicted by a white male jury after one hour and grand jury in Lake Count. On Aug- twenty-three minutes of deliberat- ust 12, they pleaded not guilty. j on _ They cj^e up rfor trial before VAACP Legal Defense attorneys 7^ . u an £ : . J l,t : >1 ’' ! ;'T’ r ! n? ’ file d a petition wit-n the United judge of the Fifth Judicial (-m-.staves oup.cn.. o„ Jr to„ Noycjata- _ cuit of the State of Florida. O n , 7, 1953. It was deniedw on January September 2, the three youths were ! 4( 1954. Another request was made found guilty. Walter Lee Irvin and on j anuary 19i askinK that Samuel Shepherd were given death , the high court reconsider ite re- Vitv. — - and most of tht newspapers that did not agree with hi s tactics It is unbelievabel that one man can crush all th e opposition McCarthy has. When an indivi dual arouse g the ire of the Army 01^ entire political party, one half of the other major political party, most of the major news papers and the American public I generally, he hag t job an Ais hands- The Army is not a haven for Russian agent, even if a left is stiii a "'■-**m uicuA. winger is found in the Army stil] bite, but ther e ar e a lot of oorasirtTvniiv. Thoi- who ones e neonio hnsv filing the adges from 1 A, of this writing McCarthy a left i s still a powerful man. He can ' - - —A At 1 -A sentences while Charles Greenlee, a minor, was sent to a road camp for life by a white all-male jury. NAACP investigation showed that the three youths were beaten and mistreated by the Sheriff and other law enforcement officers. Attonneys for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund appealed the conviction of Irvin and Shepherd to the Florida Supreme Court on the ground that the men were denied due process of law. On May 16, 1950, the State Supremo Court upheld the decision of the lower court. The case was then taken to the United Supreme Court by NAACP attorneys representing Irvin and fusal. The request was denied o* February 8, 1954. Following the United States Supreme Court’s final refusal, a group of Florida white ministers, known as the Florida Committee on Social Justice, pleaded with the Florida State Parole Board to grant Irvin clemency and commute his death sentennee to life imprison ment. On March 23, 1964, the Florida State Parole Board rejected the plea. It is reported that Governor Charley E. Johns will set the d ate of execution for Walter Lee Irvin- NAACP Legal Defense attorney 0 - who represented Irvin in the fir s * rector, and Robert L. Carter, sistant Counsel. Mr. Williams an< * Mr. Carter argued the case bef° re the United Supreme Court. Attorneys in tihe second tr > a I were Thurgood Marshall, Director- Counsel of the Legal Defense F und * Alex Akerman and Paul Perkins, Orlando, and Jack Greenberg, As sistant Counsel of the Legal De fense Fund. All appeals and petitio® ^ ere based on the fact that Walter Dre Irvin and his co-defendants were deprived of rights guaranteed ^ the Equal Protection Clause of Fourteenth Amendment toe t ^ >e Constitution of the United Sta tes and the Florida Declaration Rights. Shepherd. On April 9, 1951, the | j r ; a ] were Alex Akerman, Jr- high court reversed the decision ; Orlando, and Franklin H. Willia**’ and ordered a new trial. ’ NAACP West Coast Regional Di- In a vigorous concurring opin-, Robert t. barter. As- ion in which he was joined by Judge Felix Frankfurter, Justice Robert H. Jackson scolded the Press of Central Florida for play ing up biased and inflammatory events in the case. He called the trial “one of the best examples of one of the worst menaces to Ameri can justice” and said it “was but a legal gesture to register a ver dict already dictated by the press and the public opinion which is generated.” July 25, 1951, Judge Futch sign ed an order for a new trial. On August 1, he set the date of August 15 for the new trial to be held at Tavares in Lake County. Attorney Alex Akerman, who acted as chief counsel for the defense and was on active duty in the Judge Advocate General’s office in the United States Navy, asked for a postpone ment. On August 23, 1951, Irvin and Shepherd were arraigned and pleaded not guilty. On October 17, 1951, attorneys for Irvin and Shepherd asked for a change of venue on the grounds that they could not get a fair trial in Lake County. The prosecuting attorney, J. W. Hunter, asked the court to set a new trial for Nov ember 15, 1951, but the defendants’ chief attorney stated that he was not ready to state whether the de fendant* were ready for trial In Lake County. However, the date was set for November 7. On the night of November 6, 1951, Sheriff Willis McCall of Lake County shot and killed Samuel Shepherd and seriously wounded WISDOM NEW YORK (GLOBAL) When a mother eagle feels sure her eaglets in the necst are suffi ciently capable °f taking care of themselves she proceeds to P U D apart their nest of twigs moss and feathers. Their .comfortable home i s broken up but it is for the good of the eaglets. Thus are they introduced to the abi D ity within themselves to conquer the air and soar to great heights by the latent powers within themstlves. As we just live to be comfortable we will never b® afforded the chonce to develop th e i nner Power, that lift us to the heights of perfection of bv- ing