By the Associated Press
Washington, Dec. 299—Representative Gallivan, Democrat, Massachusetts, declared in a statement today that Democrats who go before the party caucus as candidates for speaker of the house in the new congress will be called upon by northern Democratic representatives to say where they stand on the question of the Ku Klux Klan.
“Mark you,” said Mr. Gallivan, “we are going to watch Ku Klux Democrats from the southland, whether they come from Texas or any other state, and they will get no support from Democrats in the north unless at the caucus, which will be called to select the party candidate for the speakership, these men pronounce their absolute and unequivocal opposition to the infamous organization which at present holds the front page in our daily newspapers.”
Mr. Gallivan declared that while he had no knowledge of his own, he would not support Representative Garrett, Tennessee, acting Democratic leader, because of his vote against the soldier bonus. He said he also opposed Mr. Garrett because he voted for an amendment to the retirement act, “which would prohibit any federal employe from receiving the benefits thereof if he had at any time been allied with any labor union or any organization of such a character.
From the front page of the Durham Morning Herald, Dec. 30, 1922
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Hand of Law Still Raised Over Suspects in the Morehouse Case. . . With Hearing Only a Week Away, Number Said to be Designated for Arrest. . . Many Confessions Made. . . Klan Officials Declare If Members Took Part in Murders They Will be Brought to Trial
Bastrop, La., Dec. 29—With the date for the open hearing but one week away, the heavy hand of the law, which has already struck twice, was still upraised tonight over those designated for arrest in connection with the Morehouse kidnappings and murders.
The citizens were anxiously awaiting the passing of time, which would reveal the identity of those marked. The nature of confessions in which 45 men were said to be implicated was also the subject of much speculation.
There was no intimation as to when the arrests promised by the state would be made. Opinion was evenly divided on the theory that the arrests probably would not occur until after the opening hearing had been concluded. The state wants to question some of the persons as witnesses, which privilege would be denied in the event they were under charges and did not care to testify, it is argued.
While a deputy sheriff armed with carefully prepared requision was enroute to Baltimore to claim Dr. B.M. McKoin for the state of Louisiana, on a charge of murder in connection with the robed and masked activities of last August, his friends in this section of the state were putting their heads together to raise a suitable fund for his defense. A fund of $100,000 was said by his friends to be the objective.
The plea of the former mayor at Baltimore today, that he would rather die 40 times than be taken back of Morehouse, struck a responsive chord among many. Late today his friends here and in New Orleans were reported considering steps to be taken to provide him with a heavy escort after he reached Louisiana, in the event he is returned.
State Klan Chiefs Consider Action
New Orleans, Dec. 29—Klan chiefs of Louisiana met here today to consider action to be taken in regard to reports that have gained circulation that klansmen were responsible for the Morehouse kidnappings and murders.
A reporter on a New Orleans newspaper was permitted to be present and at the conclusion of the conference he was authorized to announce that agents of the klan would be sent to Morehouse to investigate what had occurred on August 24, the date of the kidnapping.
“If the klan of Morehouse Parrish is in any way responsible for the murders of Watt Daniels and Thomas Richards, the charter of that klan will be lifted and the klan outlawed,” it was announced.
“If any individual members of the klan are found guilty of these murders, not only will they be outlawed from the klan (some lines were omitted in the newspaper). . . .
“the story told by the United States department of justice agents that members of the klan in black hoods formed the ‘wrecking crew’ for the kidnapping and murder of Daniels and Richards is absurd. There is no such regalia in any part of the Ku Klux Klan or in any of its degrees.”
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Father of McCoin Urges Him Not to Fight Extradition
Baltimore, Dec. 29—According to a telegram received here today from Monroe, La., the father of Dr. B.M. McKoin, held on a murder charge in connection with the Morehouse parish kidnappings, has urged the latter not to fight extradition and return to Louisiana.
The message stated numerous persons were ready to testify in Dr. McKoin’s behalf,and that a detailed alibi would be established. It also said proper precautions for the safe-guarding of Dr. McKoin’s life against possible mob violence would be provided for.
From the front page of the Durham Morning Herald, Dec. 30, 1922
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