Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1880-01-15
a PLEA.

Mrs. Carlton Before the Board OF
Pardons-she speaks Two Hours
for she Liberty Of ALI. Chartz, Her
BrOther-A Stirring scene.
lFrom the Carson Appeal. Jan. lsth.l
The hearing Of the plea for the pardon Of
ALI. Chartz, sentenced to the State Prison
for life, for the shooting Of Edward Kicker,
q conductor on the Eureka and Palisade
Railroad, in June. 1878, came before the
Board of Pardons yesterday afternoon.
There transpired one of the most remark
able scenes ever witnessed on such an oc-
casion.
cHARTz's SISTER.
Mrs. s. E. Carlton, an elder sister of
Chartz, appeared before the Board with her
counsel, and presented numerous petitions.
Arthur McEwen, who was editor Of the
Eureka Republican at the time of the kill
ing, gave a full account OF the affair to the
Board.
A letter was presented from Superintend-
ent Evarts, of the Eureka and Palisade
Railroad, stating that many of the names
on the petitions for Chartz's pardon had
been obtained by Mrs. Cartons tears and
entreaties, and the lady asked to speak in
her own vindication.
The meeting too place in the Executive
Chamber, and in addition to the Board it.
self there we're several State officers present.
In all, there were about a doxen persons in
the room, but Mrs. Carlton did not seem
the least abashed by their presence. As
she advanced to the table every eye was
fixed upon her. She is a slightly built
woman, very neatly attired. She is, per-
haps, thirty years of age, with sharp, in
telligent features, and a forehead which
woaid indicate u mental ability above the
average.
AN ADVERSE LETTER.
She opened by stating that she was rather
glad than otherwise that a letter had been
written to the Board to injure her fause,
as it gave her an opportunity Of making a
statement Of the facts. She held il her
hand q mass of documents, which consist
ed of petitions for her brothers paaaon,
and letters from persons connectedwith
the trial, and journalists of the Statewide
We're nxlou for Chartz's release. The
letter Of Superintendent Evarts, writte to
Judge Hawley, stated that these signatures
had been given because of the tears md
entreaties Of Mrs. Carlton. This she le-
MED, aud then proceeded to read lett,rs
from jurors and journalists, expressing
themselves as not only willing. but glad 3
be able to assist in the mans pardon. As
she reviewed these documents, she han
seated herself on the edge of the table,
with one foot resting on the floor, aud
handled the papers with the self-possession
Of an old lawyer. \
A REMARKABLE SPEECH.
After reviewing the petitions. ETC., she
advanced to the Board and delivered a
powerful argument, which was listed to by
all in the room with the closest attention.
Her language, tinged with a slight French
accent, was terse, well chosen, and at all
times eloquent. She analysed her points
with wonderful clearness and precision,
md at the same time put her plea on a
foundation Of fact. rather than a sisters
sympathy. Among other things, she said /:
Il had no experience i'll the ways Of the
law when my brother was tried. I felt as
sured that as soon as the jury were made
to see that he really considered his life in
danger when ne fled the shot, they would
acquit, that ] made no extra provision for
his defense. He was peculiarly defended.
l might have secured more legal talent,
but, gentlemen, SO perfectly was l con-
WINGED of his innocence that / did not
deem it necessary at the time. He was
convicted mainly on his own admissions,
made under a peculiarly excited state of
mind. Let us consider for a moment how
the evidence Of an accused man weighs
with q jury. The reason is this way II
the man ~testifies in his own favor, they
mutually say he 10 committing perjury to
save his neck. If he makes the slightest
admission the say, If he admits that much,
my God, what must the whole truth be -"
Here one Of the members of the Board
interrupted her with the remark that she
had very clearly expressed something that
every lawyer recognizes az true.
At times she was interrupted with ques-
| tons, to which she answered with perfect
readiness.
Have you any facts
Facts? / can show you facts which I
have collected by eighteen months Of pa
tient toll"
A Tribute TO MIR. EwE
In closing her speech, which lasted two
hours, and was entirely an impromptu
effort, she turned to Mr.. Arthur McEwen
and paid him a glowing tribute for the tire
less and unrequited assistance he had rem
dered her since she began her efforts in her
brothers behalf. She further stated that
since the killing Of Kicker, McEwen had
rested under a cloud in the matter. and for
fear of hurting the case Of Cbartz had re-
manned silent under abuse and attack, and
had even forbidden herself and brother to
contradict assertions injurious to him, in
the hope that such a division Of the blame
might be beneficial to her brother. The
time had now come when his conduct
should have its complete vindication. She
knew all the circumstance which led to
the sad affair. and fully exonerated Mr..
McEwen of all blame. Thanking the
Board for its patient attention she closed.
Mr.. WOODBURY.. her counsel, was asked
il he had any remarks to make, but replied
that the ground had been fully and ably
covered.
1.-THE result was given in yesterdays
SENTINEL, the Board standing three to two
aa.iaa4 .aadaA En- Grxrx.xuL