New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-04-08
TIE HARTUSG aUaDER CASE.
REFUSAI Oy TIE GOVERNOR TO COMMUTE !
THF SENTENCE.

Fres TIE flsgy Erssins J'1rrG-
We subion Gov. Morgsn' lstt7r To Nm' J' hb'ey,
eypg bis reasons or ref0siu 10 interfere 10 il-
,ersf,s n Ms Hart1pr convicted OF the murder o.
her husband Tnose reasons are clearly ara ieeunTy,
though firmly expressed. The CONCLUSION rescaei
the resu; Of careful, patient sod irteLgent in'esu
geron Of he whole case. De las resa ~ tna' .,
been sriep and nesrd al inst could be said, N favor
OF the Communication. Win symp2thles as strong shi
with heart Is sascept ole 70 msrcit emotions as tae
most persistent petitioner Re ls constrained 70 save
the unfortunate vOmsn 10 the dreadful tate 10 "H0'
the av hss coId. mued her:
STATE OF NEw-iORK, Executive DEPaRI&ENI'
ALBASY, Apni o. lS09. !
SIR: Il IL due 20 the unfortunate woman. Msry
Harturg whom you have 80 ably defended and 10
whose behalf YOU have so zssousy urged cOmnu'
,ston of the sentence Ct tue Court since the apphca
tor wss received on the 26h ut that she should a.
once BE- made acquainted with tae CONCLUSION ST which
l have arrived.
amred the evie given upon the trsl in al ne az
tails ana have since reeIsuiGed II as carefully IS
possible have, beth before al since the spphcs-
lion was made given 70 the case careful consilela-
ton with sincere desire TO arrive at just ooncu-
sion and with that lesnirg in favor OF mercy Fhich
forms a part Of our ns,nre, especially when tha'
mercy is sought 10 bebal of a woman.
II Mrs Hsrturg is guilty Of the murder of her has
band che is guilty of cool, prem4diated mnr'et o.
the uost revolving character. II guilty she avaued
herself of the opportunities the marriage etate gave
her 10 administer poison 10 him cooly, deliberately
tpalciousy Murder BY poisoning s the worst sor. OF
murder and the most difficult Of detection; and Is 10
s. sites designated as such on the statute o9oA.
Where a murder is committed IL shy other way, there
is often the possibility that mlrder was not dehoer
ately Intended Bat in the OF poisoning there IS
DO room for doub'. The malice, the premeditatlou,
the murderous intent belong necessarily 10 toe ctle
ard while every application for Communication or par
cor shs be decided lie own peculiar facts, eau
not conceive that should feel authorized in inter
fering in ar csse of posouirg where sdit ceaI'I
proved; least Of sll car interfere where husoanl
poison g wife or wife husband.
IT. therefore Mrs. Hartuns is guilty Of the crime OF
poisoniug her husbard | cannot reconcile X u my
ideas Of DUTY 10 her from the penalty the Ia I-
poses upon her crime. The jury nave, oy thei We!
di,t-conscientiousy arrived at g. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
bst she il guilty Of this crime snd the Judge whose
fairness and humanity are admitted, says tnat the
verdict was clearly warranted oy toe testimony
After careful examination aGd consideration o. tne
evidence and Of her own statement, am rnsOe 10
saw that. had | been one Of the jury, could have
arrived az different conclusion. believe ner 10 DO
guilty Of the deliberate murder Of her husband BY
poisoning. .r.-
II j. urged upon me that even though she 10 gulty
public opinion demands tn st her punishment, snoVd De
coumuted 70 Imprisonment for life and tost II tnis Is
not done DO woman vii ever again be convicted OF
MURDER in this State. Even were TINS true, shouiu
see In IL no reason for ny interference IL Is not
matter 10 be decided by public feeling by the impulses
of those who have not had time or INCLINATION 10 scan
the evidence carefully. and many OF whom are lunn-
ebced by sn objection to capital punishment in gen.
eral, or OF horror Of hanging woman, or ootn
The only nfoyipce OF public opinion in case ike this
is 70 induce additional where decision adverse
10 the cuire1t OF public opinion ia arrived az. More
over though there IT, undoubtedly great repugnauce
IL the public mind 70 the Ifc.on OF capita! punish
Insnt upon woman DO not think that II ls so gen
sr IA assumed or th At it interteres essentially with
Tia course of public justice.
rsnrot then, commute the punish nent Of Mrs
Hsrtung. She n1ai spfer the penalty, the law nae
imposed upon her, and e9aes, you Ssa 70 booe foy
TIecutye cenercy, but to devote herself az once to
preparing to stard before her Creator. l trust she
viii seek and receive forgiveness from Him who aOus
can grant il. Yours, with respect, ,,
(sigped) EDWIN ID. AOhOAo.
To WN. j. HADLEY. esd. Albany.