The New York herald., 1873-02-16
AN INTERVIEW WITH STOKES.

what He Thinks OF Judges BOardmon n
and Davis and the Jury-Scenes I'm tho
Tombs-The Prisoner to Occupy HIS
Old Cell-Visit OF tho Family.
The denizens Of the Tombs were very much (and
II appearances will justify the remark) agreeably
surprised at the news of Justice Davis decision in
the Stokes matter. 1t is almost needless to say
that the condemned man himself was In an &C.
srasy OF delight. For though all through he has
NANTES ed an utter Indifference and confident
hope as to the final result, there was still an uncer
tainty which must have at times caused him chill
at the heart. But matter so decisive as that Of
yesterday, postpOning any probability Of resen-
tence for year and half, however stoica the de-
meanor Of the prlsoneE would naturally cause him
GREAT JOY.
Soon after the decc;sion WAS announced the ONCE
OF the Tombs Prison was filed with friends OF the
accused, who camOred to be allowed to see stokes.
The request was denied by the new Warden, Mr..
Johnson, who took his place yesterday for the first
time. He said that Mr.. Joel Stevens had called on
him in person during the morning and had told
him that the order relative to seeing Stokes by out
siders was still to remain strictly in force. Mr..
Stevens told HERALD reporter during the after
noon that the fact OF Stokes having received stay
did not change the order. The brothers OF Stokes
and his cousins called on him during the afternoon,
and the congratulations poured in thick upon him.
They were very joymlly received; The prisoners
unable 70 se there
Stokes quarters will not be changed for three or
four days to come, when he will be
TRANSFERRED TO HIS OLD QUARTERS
on the first tier, up stairs. The change Is looked
for with anxiety by him.
A HERALD reporter interviewed Mr.. Stokes in the
afternoon to the following effect. The Interview
Is given literally
what do you think Of Judge Boardman's de.
SfnEac onswarad. ar sa.I c,voo,S n.nsouodty
obliged to Judge BOardman that he only delayed
ms opinion about twenty days. He was very
charitable. He might, you know, have kept 1t q
ew %sys st aE then should not have had
..HaA .Haye yop any hopes Of new trial at all s'
"Yes, II the rulings and the hostility oil some few
decides; not otherwise"
'What do you think Of the jury that found the
verdict-take them as body ~
The majority Of them were respectable men.
There were few OF them that believe went on
pressed themselves so and carried out their inten
tions.
PUBLIC FEELING
at the time was very high and the excitement fear
full against any one charged with murder, guilty or
innocent; consequently their prejudice was so
great that 1t was impossible them to calmly de-
liberate and determine between perjured testi-
mony and that which was honest. The former
they believed and the latter they discarded. The
crime, not that Intentionally violated any OF the
laws but because crimes are daily committed.
nave no Iaut 10 ma Win Lne majority oil tnc jury.
They thought 1t was their duty, or at least forced
themselves to think So The future will reveal
that am wrongfully convicted, and that is great
comfort for me to know"
"Do you consider the papers have treated your
case fairly ?'
"The newspapers take great delight in attacking
me bitterly, and then wind up by moralizing in
the hope that am preparing for eternity.
If THE WRITER'S
OF these articles devOting more of their time
to their spiritual Improvement and less to me,
think il would be better ali around"
"What do you think OF Judge Davis decision 2
"He never would have granted the writ or error ;
but II there Is any law he could not do otherwise
thank him from the bottom Of my heart and hope
he will live long enough to see The justice of his
decision. AS regards Judge Boardman's decision
have nothing to say. Some eminent lawyers say
Is very queer. thank him he did not keep 1t o
little lOnger.n