The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-26
RESPITED MURDERERS.

RESPITE OF WAGNER AND GORDON, THE THOMAS
ECUTIvE CLEMENCY-THE CRIME CONDITION
OF THE MEN, MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY.
THoMAsrON, Me-, Feb. rs, 1875.
IL is dlflcult to contemplate the moral and
physical feelings OF a man who is at the last mo-
ment rescued from what is seemingly absolute
and certain death. Wagner and Gordon, who
were to be hanged here tomorrow forenoon, are
two mon who know what 1t is to receive an unex.
pected and fresh lease OF lie. The first named
murdered two women Tor few paltry dollars,
and Gordon killed his brother, his brothers. wife
and one OF their children. His only prUvOcation
was Jealousy and suspicion that some little
wrong had been done to him, and
in both ms ances an nten6ed victim escaped,
so that II they had carried ont their original
plans one would have had three and the other
four murders to answer for at the day OF fual
judgment. The respite, which arrived to-day
de iers the execution Tor four weeks until the last
FRIDAY in March. Wagner had been respired
before, but 1t was in order that he might be exc
cured at the same time as Gordon and thus save
the state the expense, trouble and tribulation OF
two separate executions.
THE DEVICES OF DELAY.
Since the men were sentenced to death
there have been various devices re-.
sorted to for a Communication to imprison-
ment for life, o strenuous EFFORT being made to
secure the passage OF q law anOllshing the death
penalty altogether. Among those who, within
q day or two, have sought clemency Tor Gordon
was his mother, VINO pleaded to the Governor
that she believes he Is not guilty. GOr0on him.
self also stubbornly maintains his innocence, but,
OF course, his story is not believed. The respite
OF month oy Governor Dngey Is on account OF
nv Ind Dam orth of tha Gu
preme Court. who has to-day ordered hearing
fortnight hence on the question as to the consti.
tutionalty OF the law which authorizes the Cover
nor to NIX the time OF execution. It Is claimed
tnat fixing the time Is judicial act
a part Of the sentence, aud inaSnuCn as
the constitution lodges the JUDICIAL power Of the
State IN the Supreme judicial Court and sucn
other courts as the Legislature may establish,
the Legislature has no authority TO con1er Judi
clal powers upon the Governor. This question,
OF course. applies to the case Of both The con-
THE GOVERNORS INTERROGATION.
The fact that repreve was to be granted was
document itself arrived by a specia messenger
this afternoon. Inc preparations nad been nearly
and the interpretation by the Governor was sur
prise all rounu.
The announcement OF the reprieve had
quite different effect upon the unlortu-
nate criminals. Gordon was overcome with
Ing wnen the news was told to nim. He mas been
breaking down since he was placed in solitary
confinement, and mas scarcely eaten or slept He
presents q pallid and haggard appearance, as
though he mad already suffered q hundred deaths.
he grieves over his slns, but declares the murder
OF his brothers. family Is not III the Catalogue.
He Is In better physical and mental tone to-day,
and Is evidently making an EFFORT to meet the
death ne supp0ses awaits him. He gays 1t Ii not
Tor himself he ieels, but for his poor M Their,
whom he thinks his doom will Kill, and for the dis
grace thai VIII Oe entalled upon his family con
nectlOns. There Is considerable sympathy for
Gordon because OF mis- friends and his present ten
der feelings i0r them.
THE EFFECT OF SUPERSTITION.
No one feels for wagner, who does not feel for
himself and has no friend TINS side the Atlantic.
He takes his situation coOlly and IS not affec ted
his sleep or appetite. He has superstitious
bellei tnat he shall not be hanged. When ne stands
on the drop with the moose about his neck, he
says, the perpetrator OF the crime will rise at the
last moment and save him as an Innocent man.
II the worst should come ne says he has but ono
death to die, aud there is not any use to make Q
fuss about it He thinks Gordon Is very foolish to
"take onu so.
POLICY OF THE GOVERNOR.
execution Of the sentences Is very Sharply criti-
cised. The terrible ana cruel crimes or which
the men have been convicted Is remembered, and
tnasmuch Is their trial was iair one, and the
punishment pronounced Just one, the popular
verdict Is that It should have been promptly ad-
ministered. The reprevlng from time to time Is
looked upon by many as species OF refined
cruelty, for there are very few VINO believe thas
ltAlA hALH