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LETTERS to
Calls On Influential Men Of The Eastern Shore To Take Charge Of Things
To the Editor or The Sun—Sir; At this time it is important that a calm and steady frame of mind be encouraged to the utmost possible degree.
The people of tb? Eastern Shore are stirred by a series of horrible crimes. Many of them live in isolated spots. It is impossible to protect the dwellers in rural communities as it is done in cities, where every street is patrolled by an efficient police force.
Living as they do at the mercy of any depraved wretch who may feel the urge to rob, rape or murder, they feel that their best protection is in the prompt enforcement of justice and the infliction of the maximum punishment without delay on any criminal when caught.
It is said that a fair and impartial trial cannot be had on the Shore for a certain class of offenders. The people of the Shore feel that a fair and impartial trial is very doubtful if the cases are removed to the Baltimore courts.
What percentage of this class of criminals receive the maximum penalty in Baltimore city, and what percentage in the Eastern Shore counties? Is there not much said at the present time of the breaking down of justice in the handling of such cases? Is it not notorious to the point of scandal that known criminals escape with ridiculously light sentences, or are turned loose on the helpless community with no punishment at all?
There would have been no disorder at Snow Hill had the court there been allowed to proceed with a prompt trial and had justice been done at once. Impatience and disgust, fostered by needless and unjustifiable meddling by notoriety seekers and trouble hunters, have now grown to a point where real trouble is possible, and it is imperative that the influential men of the Shore become active in this matter, or not only may justice fail but more serious trouble may follow. H. B. Messenger.
Federalsburg, Md„ Dec. 5, 1931.
Very, Very Bold, But Not Enough So To Use His Name To This Letter
To the Editor or The Sun—Sir: I read your editorial this morning on the lynching of a Negro at Salisbury.
It seems to me that you have taken only one side of the question, and also you condemn the whole Eastern Shore for this particular case.
I would call your attention to the fact that this case is but one of three or four that have happened in the last several months where Negroes have committed outrages upon white people and where up to this time justice has not been meted out to the criminal.
The case of Yufel Lee hacking to death a complete white family many weeks ago was but a stimulus to the mob. We find that he has not been tried because the International Labor League or its representative (whoever they are or what they are is beyond me, but I believe most people associate them with things anarchistic) has been able to delay, by process of law, this trial. If this Negro had been promptly tried and hanged, there would not have been a lynching yesterday. The same is true of the other cases.
This case is similar to having one of our leading and kindliest and most charitable of citizens shot to death by some Negro. If thi* ' to happen, the
,!i-~ of The Sun y
the EDITOR
pie shot down by Negroes for some time, for they know what is their due if they should. A Reader.
Baltimore, Dec. 5, 1931.
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