New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-03
NO NOPE FOR BALBO.


THE GOVERNOR WILL NOT INTERFERE.
HIS DECISION MADE KNOWN TO BALBOs COUNSEL
LAST NIGHT-THE CONDEMNED MAN NOT TOLD
OF HIS FArE-How HE SPENT YESTERDAY.
Mr. Knitting. the counsel for Balbo, received the
following dispatch last night from Governor Cor
nell:
To WILLIAM KNITTING. Ne,e- York:
The Governor unable Justify him self in any inter
ference with the execution OF the law In me case of Tue
Pardon Clerk.
II was half-past o'clock when the dispatch came,
and Mr. Klntzing went at once to the Iombs. call
ing for Father ROrdan. Babo spiritual adviser, On
the way. Babo had retired at 8 o'clock, and was
asleep when the lawyer arrived, shorty before 10
o'clock. and II was considered best not to waken
him. He will be informed OF the decision THIS morn
ing. >,
Yesterday Balbo was sad all day smile seldom
struggled to his cOuntenancc, and when one dld,lt
lasted only for moment His thoughts were evident
ly far away from the dismal IonDs ana anything put
pleasant In their nature. Tie paced the corrldor
slowly. with his hands clasped behind his back,
paving no attention to any one standing near him.
Occasionally, tears wOuld start To his eyes, only
To be quickly wiped away. He cared little Tor his
meals, and what he did eat seemed to he taken
merely as matter of duty. Deputy Sherlhs Fay
and Douglas. who form the death-watch state
that he has had very little 10 say TO them ana has
seemed TO wish 10 be left alone with his thoughts
At one time he broke out suddenly, saying Ill his
broken English, and III agOniZed tones: " On, can
not the good Governor send me some word Must
much longer endure this terrible suspenScP Can't
three more days. and then-' and he nearly broke'
down as he walked away.
The day passed quietly and without any occur
renee of particular interest. Some visitors called,
and the condemned man talked with them, but
in slow and unnterested manner. When ms
counsel W. +. Knitting came III, accompanied by
the Rev Father Riordan he frightened up for
moment and rocked III them eagerly but when lie
found they had no good news for him, his connte-
His LAWYER after q short chat, babe hun good day,
telling HIM not to give way, but TO hope for the
best. as there was no knowing at what moment
good news might arrive. Father Rlordan re-
manned with the prisoner III MS cell. where they
remained in religious conversation and dcVotlons
for nearly an hour. After the priests departure.
Balbo seemed little more cheerful, or rather
little more resigned To what II Is now feared VIII
he his fate; but continued asking the question
WHY will not the good Governor give little
time and send a little word to poor Babo."
Father Riordan said to a TRIBUNE reporter, IN
the courtyard of the Tonbs before passing ont:
:" NV attention was first called 10 the case Dy
Baron Blanc, who was greatly Interested III Balbo,
and did not believe him guilty OF the crime OF
murder At his request went TO see the poor
bow and soon became interested III him, too. 10
not think he deserves hanging. What passed III
that room before the fatal blow was struck,
what unhearablc agravatlon may have aroused
all his passionate nature, what frenzy of rage he
NAV have been when he committed the crime,
we do not know. We simply know that he XII led
her | have heard some men say: You must live
up ia the old Mosaic law, a life for life. an
eve for an eye, and tooth for tooth. and say
yes; but YOU must 20 back even further III the days
when that law issued. If the woman had
been found guilty of the crimes of which she was
charged, she would have been stoned 10 death III
the streets before her husband could have killed
her But | not alone in my belief that Balbo
does not deserve hanging. A lew days ago Sen
atOr Hogan, formerly Judge Hogan, said to me:
Father | was on the bench sitting near the Judge
when the verdict of murder in the first degree
brought in against poor Balbo, and | said To my
self: " Poor boy, if ever boys life was thrown
away yours has Eecn Your counsel was utterly
incompetent and ignorant of criminal law
criminal practice" / think il the first case he
ever had in Court. criminal lawyer who was
near said Yes You right. II had been his
counsel | should have offered plea OF guilty of
mansaughtcr in the third degree, and know it
would have been accepted'' All this you know,
happened long before Lawyer Knitting had any
tLing TO do with the case Balho had been tried
and con icted before he touched It. lie took hold
of il only three DAYS before Balbo to have been
hanged and since then lie has done all that man
could do. it is pity Balbo did not have him on
the trial.
After this conversation, and n careful eXamina-
ton into the facts, | wrote "A letter to Governor
Cornell begging him TO consider the terrible state
of mind Balbo must have been III when he
mitted the crime; how differently his wife oiense
was looked npOn in his native country than 1t is
in this; to notice the superior class oi men who
signed the petition for his communication Judges
clrrgyInen, merchants and others of good standing
and position. And | asked him 10 pardon the poor
bow and God would bless him for hls mercy. Balb0
has been encouraged by 50 many 70 look for mercy
at the hands of Governor Cornell, that he is not
now in II frame of mind ready for death II he must
die he should at least have more time To prepare
for it,"
Mrs. Howard Crosby has, il is said. wrote to
Mrs. Cornell, who old friend. asking her 10
use her influence With the Governor, and Mrs.