Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 September 1894 — TO INVESTIGATE LYNCHINGS. [ARTICLE]

TO INVESTIGATE LYNCHINGS.

An English committee to investigate the numerous lynchings of negroes in the South hasbeen sent to this country by English philanthropists. Monday the New York World sent a copy of the following telegram to Gov. O’Ferrall, of Virginia; of Georgia; Gov. Fish back, of Arkansas; and Gov. Tillman, of South Carolina: i'An English committee has been sent here to investigate and denounce Southern lynchings. Will you please telegraph us what you think of English meddling with our affairs? The Governors all replied In a spirited way. Gov. O’Ferrall stated that Americans could with equal propriety investigate the Whitechapel murders and the outrageous colonial policy of England, and characterized the sending of the commission as of impudence.” He stated that in every case of a colored man having been lynched in Virginia the victim was undoubtedly guilty of rape on white women,and that the authorities had been overpowered by the mob. In three cases, the Governor said, he had protected the colored men charged with rape at great expense by the militia, and they were duly convicted and executed. Gov. Northen and the other State executives replied in a similar vein. Gov. Tillman stated, however, that he would afford the commission every facility to learn the truth, in spite of the impertinence of the proceeding, and invited them to come on, as an investigation could not be conducted in New York,