Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-11-23


J. +. SHERWOOD.
II was stated in the Post that slr. lIarri-
son came from Richmond on purpose t0
circulate the petition. This is incorrect
He was on his way North on pleasure
trip and brought the petition with him Al
the request Of persons IN Richmond who
were interested in Cluycnus's Behalf.
Mr.. Harrison interviewed IN Rich
mond.
Mr.. Carter Harrison reached Richmond
Yesterday. He said 10 a dispatch reporter:
think it but fair, and hope that orr
position will be clearly stated. II Is my
purpose 10 present this petition person.
ally TO the Governor and give his Excel.
lCncy our reasons for preceding il. Alter
consultation with my colleagues in Alex
andria ana Mr.. Keplcr, now resident OF
Baltimore. | feel authorized 10 state that
they agree upon this pOini-yiz.. that the
verdict finally arrived at by the jury would
never have been recorded had the Jurors
been POSSESSED OF the sane understanding
Of their rights, or rather their lower.
which they noW baye. Mr.. French, Mr.
Sherwood, and myself would never have
allowed the rendition OF any verdict TIE
consequence OF which was death had we
in the matter and could have brought n
verdict Of murder IN the second degree.
We contend that this fact in itself cOn,i!.
tulcs n flaw, for il Is clearly proven that tn
iurymcn were acting under a mi'lpprr-
hen,ion Of their powers.
Well, whose fault was that:
do not pretend t. say who wa, 10 blame
for this: that Is a matter for the Governor
. f,l A. f.tr | arrl
concerned can state that the reason given
above, and the further fact that conSci-
ontiou-ly believe that the prisoner ought 70
have the benefit Of the law a, it now exists
aciuateS me. II i impossible 10 predicate
ANYTHING upon mans silence when any
statement of his could not affect the cI,e.
This is the position Of Cmvcrius.
Are you opposed 10 capital punishment:
Wei. in q modified sense this j. true.
While have no conscientious >Hruples d
to the iu1iclion oi c3pitll punishment.
an opposed 10 the l1W: ! would vote -
morrow to abrogate il. for in my humble
opinion in ,tand. on the stJtutc-b00A~ o.
rclict of forgotten and q tlrbarou, age.
When | presented that letter, Wli h
WI, posted 10 me-prOblbly because of my
address being better kuOwn-to the other
members Of the Jury, it was without COM
Ucni or argument. ! only said to fdem
that had read ii. and a a matter OF com
mon c0urtc.y put myself 20 the tr1u e
t0 carry il O. those IL whom II va. aj.
dressed. Please say in Justice 70 ny.cf
that all statements 10 The contrary Jrc
false. | want this published. not that
wish 10 eyadc or explain away ANYTHING
that do. but simply that :he facts may be
known. Ftci,rg hdt ne hare erTed ,p Oir
decision am perfectly willing, and indeed
anxious. 10 correct the error a. far 4, en-.
DO you man 10 explain all this u tac
GOYC:nOrg
If / am allowed viii explain M IA.
son, 10 the Governor and the cause II our
action.
You got here thi, evening;
Yes; | returned from Alexandra this
evening.
Did You find many people there iayorlng
conn utatiOn:
The most prominent gentlemen in that
city applaud our action. believing that uu-
der the circumstances the sentence ought
10 be commutcd. believe II you were to
makea canvass Of that town you would find
four ffths Oi the people in favor OF either
pardon or cOmmuiati9n.
only three Jurors have signed:
believe that Nj. Howell viii sign it.
VIII any Richmond Jurors sign it,
Yes. think that several OF the Rich
mOnd Jurors viii now consent To petition
the Governor simply for a commutlti)n.
You don't claim that The jury were ia-
Inundated, DO You:
ii. useless to deny The tact that WAile
there was no atlempr directly N tde 81 ~
timidaie the jury. t1cy were unique, ton
ably unduly Influenced. There is ~ la.
finite difference between intimidation a1d
undue influence. one who would openly
revolt and dctantly rcpel the former wo1id
ptrchanCc fall victim when exposed u
the latter. \ threat, a fr0wn, >cotling, or
Insult would be promptly resented by one
possessed Of the slightest m0dlcum OF
spirit or manhnes-. But when, IN un-
guarded moments, 6peSSe and all the sub
'leties devised by uuscrupulousness are
brought 20 bear then the result may be un-
conscious capitulatiOn 10 the will or opin-
ions of others. Even far more potent, be-
cause Of itS insidiOuSncSs and our utter In
capacity to resist, Is that peculiar influence
before advertCd to-pubhc opinion. The
onlv wav 10 overcome this j. removal 10y
space or time 10 such place or period when
lis mower cannot effect. Ii may be urged
that this course would be impracticable II
not impossible. AprOpoS one would ask
how could criminal trials be conducted or
Justice administered in any community II
The entire subsistence OF public opinion,
with all OF its alleged effects upon courts
and jurie., was necessary. II Is mlniieStly
impossible 10 deprive people individually |
or collectively OF their opinions, or prevent
TIE formation OF the most groundles-.
II IN "a
an obstnaey In the mainte- |
rance OF ones own views and ideas, ignO- |
rance. urejudice, passion. and all their ac-
evils, cannot be legislated on'
Of the world; and hence the attempt would |
be foolish. The law must take it, course,
notwithstanding the existence OF lnllu
ences likely TO divert or even Pollute the |
perfect and pure dow OF justice; and the
only redress under such circumstances j.
an appeal 10 the Governor, who, IN his
wisdom. can weigh and determine n 10
The importance Of these things.
You speak vaguely Of intimidation.
Can't YOU be more specific! What do you
mean!
sucb things a prominent lady In high
social Standing and wealth approaching a
iuryman. and in terpls almost threatening
him with the consequence OF acquittai; a
Richmond physicians warming to the Jury
A. heretofore published; the frequent cries
heard on toe streets Of Hang hun! hang
him all had tendency to unduly In
flnence. though perhaps no one was there
by iniimidated.
What of puDlic sentiment In Alexandra!
Cantsin George A. Mushblck, a pfOmi-
nent Iswyer and ex.member OF the iiouse
Of delegates. expresses himself willing 10
sign for eommutltIon OF sentence, and
says that be is clearly OF the opinion that
the Jury had the power under the law -
bring In verdict OF murder IN the second
degree. A copy OF the petition for eom-
mutation Of sentence has been ieit al Tue
Office Of lbe Daily city Item and D1ay Gi-
zette. A number OF citizens baye s,gnedit'
Dr. Klips,ein, a prominent physician Is
Of the same opinion.
MIR. Henry simpson, prominent mef'