Scottsboro Case public appeals to the Governor, 1931-1939.

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Scottsboro Case public appeals to the Governor, 1931-1939.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/122542651

On 1931 Mar. 25 nine black youths, aged thirteen to twenty, were arrested in Paint Rock, Ala. for the alleged rape of two white girls aboard a freight train. The hasty trial held in Scottsboro, Ala. and the resulting death sentences caused a public outcry and created a controversy that would last for decades. This series consists of public appeals sent to Ala. Govenors Benjamin Miller, Bibb Graves and Frank Dixon. The appeals are from both famous and ordinary citizens from all parts of the U.S. and various countries throughout the world. Included are appeals from Salvadore Dali, Albert Einstein, Thomas Mann and Edward G. Robinson. A majority of the appeals support the innocence of the accused and request the release of the prisoners, though some items favor the sentences imposed. Included are letters, postcards, telegrams, petitions, clippings and publications. Appeals were sent by individuals, church groups, workers organizations and political associations. A large number of the items were pre-printed by the International Labor Defense, which coordinated legal protection for the accused. The Scottsboro Case Committee of Philadelphia sent an impressive ten volumes of petitions. This series documents the extent of the controversy over the Scottsboro Case and the well coordinated public protest directed at the Ala. Governor's Office. The series also demonstrates the extent of liberal and leftist organizations in the U.S. during the 1930s. Some appeals also address related racial and class conflicts in the state, such as the Sharecroppers' Union, several lynchings which occurred in Tuscaloosa in 1933, and the arrest of Communist Party workers in Birmingham.

17 cubic ft. (15 records center cartons and 6 archives boxes).

Alabama Department of Archives and History

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 6756829

Alabama Department of Archives and History

Related Entities

There are 11 Entities related to this resource.

Scottsboro Case Committee of Philadelphia.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6965xz9 (corporateBody)

Sharecroppers' Union (Ala.)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6dv80sh (corporateBody)

Miller, Benjamin Meek, 1864-1944.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w63f6tvn (person)

Graves, Bibb, 1873-1942

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6rf6xn3 (person)

Alabama. Governor (1935-1939 : Graves)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6nc9z7n (corporateBody)

Alabama. Governor (1939-1943: Dixon).

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6gr3c0f (corporateBody)

Dixon, Frank M. (Frank Murray), 1892-1965

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6t15x88 (person)

Dixon was born 1892 July 25 to Frank and Launa Murray Dixon in Oakland, Cal. In 1906 he entered Phillips Academy in Exeter, N.H.; then attended Columbia University for one term. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 1916 with an LL.B., and was admitted to the Ala. bar in 1917. That same year he entered the U.S. Army and fought overseas in World War I. He was attached to the French Army as an aerial observer. On 1918 July 21 he was wounded, which caused the amputation of hi...

Alabama. Governor (1931-1935: Miller).

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6vt86xg (corporateBody)

International Labor Defense

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6fn4wgz (corporateBody)

Established by the Communist Party of the United States of America as its legal defense arm in 1925 to aid labor, political prisoners, and victims of reactionary violence. Using mass demonstrations and publicity, the International Labor Defense (ILD) conducted national and worldwide campaigns to gather support for its cases. In 1946 the ILD merged with the Civil Rights Congress. From the description of International Labor Defense records, 1926-1946. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122...

Alabama. Governor

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6bk59jk (corporateBody)

Authorities: Alabama Government Manual, 1982. 1819 Alabama Constitution, Art. IV, Sec. 1-15, 16, 18. Acts 1933, No. 177, p. 189. Alabama Official and Statistical Register, 1979. Code of Alabama 1876. Code of Alabama 1975. 1901 Alabama Constitution, Art. V, Sec. 116, 126-128, Amendment 282. The Governor is the chief executive of the State. He sees that laws are faithfully and equitably exe...

Communist Party (Ala.)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6qk3xrc (corporateBody)