An Anti-Lynch Law
April 11, 1896
Summary
A bill is passed making officials liable for lynchings that occur when they had authority.
Transcription
Columbus, O., April 8.
The Senate to-day concurred in the Smith anti-lynching bill, and it is a law. The bill was written by Judge Albion W. Tourgee. It makes any county whose officials permit lynching to occur liable to the family of the victim for damages. The bill takes its name from Hon. H. C. Smith, a colored representative from Cleveland, who championed the measure, and is the result of several lynchings of colored men in Ohio in the last three years.
The Senate to-day concurred in the Smith anti-lynching bill, and it is a law. The bill was written by Judge Albion W. Tourgee. It makes any county whose officials permit lynching to occur liable to the family of the victim for damages. The bill takes its name from Hon. H. C. Smith, a colored representative from Cleveland, who championed the measure, and is the result of several lynchings of colored men in Ohio in the last three years.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Liam Eynan
Citation
“An Anti-Lynch Law,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed May 12, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1671.