The Removal of Judges
March 13, 1897
Summary
The Planet discusses the politics of black judges being removed along with inequalities in the courtroom.
Transcription
We note that the Electoral board for the city has removed every colored judge of election in Jackson Ward. By its decree Mr. B.C. Stokes is removed in the First Precinct, Mr. S. J. Gilpin in the Second Precinct, Mr. S.S. Richardson in the Third Precinct and Mr. B.P. Vandervall in the Fourth Precinct.
This is the most manifest display of partisanny that we have as yet seen. There was absolutely no excuse for it, and there can be no justification.
This action will meet with bitter condemnation. It is the work of the machine, and we are surprised that members of the Electoral Board of this city should have neem parties to such a questionable transaction.
We have repeatedly called attention to the inequalities of the law so far as people are concerned. The following extracts from our city papers will explain themselves:
White.
In the Hustings Court (Richmond, Va.,) March 3, 1897 James F. Matthews, a white man was tried for entering a house and taking some lead pip; the charge of housebreaking was changed to that of petit larceny, and he was given thirty days in jail.
Colored.
In the Hustings Court (Richmond, Va.,) March 3, 1897 William Coleman, a Negro for breaking and entering a vacant house and taking a lot of pipe and gas fixtures, was given two years in the penitentiary.
What excuse can be given for such a gross violation of the fundamental principles of the government itself. Both of these men committed the same crim. Both were amenable to the same law. Why then this discrimination? Why should Matthew go to jail and Coleman to the penitentiary? Is there any wonder that the state prison is overflowing with men of our race? Is there any surprise that the statistics so far as it relates to crime are against us?
What remedy is there for such a condition? We are the victims of a prejudice more unreasoning that that which exists against the Hebrews in Russia and the Armenians in Turkey.
But all of the white men do not endorse these miscarriages of justice and hundreds of them are doing what they can to bring about a change in order that the retribution of a just God may not finally be visited upon by their off-springs.
We must protest against these inequalities of the law. We must agitate. We must appeal to do better classes until a brighter day for us shall dawn and the horizon of the early morn is emblazoned with the emblems of hope foretelling the coming of our practical recognition as people.
This is the most manifest display of partisanny that we have as yet seen. There was absolutely no excuse for it, and there can be no justification.
This action will meet with bitter condemnation. It is the work of the machine, and we are surprised that members of the Electoral Board of this city should have neem parties to such a questionable transaction.
We have repeatedly called attention to the inequalities of the law so far as people are concerned. The following extracts from our city papers will explain themselves:
White.
In the Hustings Court (Richmond, Va.,) March 3, 1897 James F. Matthews, a white man was tried for entering a house and taking some lead pip; the charge of housebreaking was changed to that of petit larceny, and he was given thirty days in jail.
Colored.
In the Hustings Court (Richmond, Va.,) March 3, 1897 William Coleman, a Negro for breaking and entering a vacant house and taking a lot of pipe and gas fixtures, was given two years in the penitentiary.
What excuse can be given for such a gross violation of the fundamental principles of the government itself. Both of these men committed the same crim. Both were amenable to the same law. Why then this discrimination? Why should Matthew go to jail and Coleman to the penitentiary? Is there any wonder that the state prison is overflowing with men of our race? Is there any surprise that the statistics so far as it relates to crime are against us?
What remedy is there for such a condition? We are the victims of a prejudice more unreasoning that that which exists against the Hebrews in Russia and the Armenians in Turkey.
But all of the white men do not endorse these miscarriages of justice and hundreds of them are doing what they can to bring about a change in order that the retribution of a just God may not finally be visited upon by their off-springs.
We must protest against these inequalities of the law. We must agitate. We must appeal to do better classes until a brighter day for us shall dawn and the horizon of the early morn is emblazoned with the emblems of hope foretelling the coming of our practical recognition as people.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Brian Schrott
Citation
“The Removal of Judges,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed February 19, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1135.