Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1886-04-15
NO HOPE FOR ROBINSONl
aOvERNOR sTOCKLEY REFUSES To
GRANT A REsPtTE.

0hANE ~ 4h1EAHEs \
Uhsrlese Robinson 90 be Hanged To-
Bosrow--An Interview with ths
Condemned Man.
Last Monday Walter Bacon, Esq.,
counsel for Charles Robinson, the |
colored man who 10 sentenced 70 be hung
TO morrow for q felouious outrage on |
Mrs. Ella y. Gardner, of Blackbird |
Hundred. visited Georgetown, and pre-. |
sentsd Governor Stockley with the
petitions, signed by mem bers Of the bar
and others in favor OF granting the
condemned man respiss. He also had |
several personal letters TO the Governor
from prominent men In this city, giving
the reasons why executive clemency
should be exercised In the case. In
come ction with these Mr.. Bacon fully
stated the case, and was accorded 9 re.
spectful hearing.
Mr.. Bacon asked that q respite should
be granted until after the Legislature
should meet, 80 that statute could be
enacted whereby new trial can be
granted In capital cases. where new tes-
|timony has been discovered after al
trial, or for other good cause. The Cow
oEuOI Huutbttu bhO IOkbo VI hno POthbiuuc
and Mr.. Raoon's argument, bus said
that as he did not feel like assuming oil
the xesponsibiiity I'm -she mAgter iel
would consult with the Judges who
had tried the case, and obtain their
views. The attorney then saw the Chief
Justice and Associate judges, who are
at present holding court In Georgetown,
and says that after presenting the views
| of the Governor to them they said that
az respite could not do any harm, but
might do . great deal Of good, they
would not interpose any objections and
Chief Justice OomeRys went 30 far rs
to ray that he would say to the Cover
nor that the opinion Of the legal gentle-
| men who had interested themselves in
the case was entitled 70 mach conside.
ration and tnat y respite could do no
harm. After Mr.. Bacon had received
these ASSURANCES he left Georgetown,
and returned TO this city ON Tuesday
evening, feeling assured thas the life OF
bis unfortunate client would at least be
prolonged.
Before leaving Georgetown Mr.. Bacon
was informed by the Governor that he
would give the matter his earnest con.
federation and telegraph him the result,
consequently ad espatch was anxiOusly
looked for all day yesterday. 1t did
not come, ho viewer, until after o'clock,
and then, 20 the great disappointment
OF Mr.. Bacon and others who had inter-
ested themselves In Robinson's behalf,
read as follows:
Mi FORD. DEL.
4.H p. m, April IA, 1886.
WALTER BACON. Esq
Having considered all the circum-
stances 10 the case, the Governor dees
not feel justified In interfering with the
sentence. W. II. CAUsEY,
| Secretary OF State.
As soon as this despatch was received
Mr.. Bacon sent the following TO Chief
Justice OomeRys:
The Governor has refused TO interfere.
IConsidering that you felt that respite
toould do no harm and would ssy 80,
what possible circumstances can iDtiu.
Ienos the Governor 10 deny this small
privilege to the condemned man?
WALTER BACON.
The Chief Justice responded promptly
20 the above. his despatch being re-
ceived here ct 7.56 p. IN. He said:
l did as assured you. know of ne
special influence upon him and think
he acted upon belief that there wal
. not sufficient reason for interference.
N" hS'
Mr.. Bacon made reply 70 the preced
ing despatch as follows:
Allow me TO thank you for your
goodness. Can you not emphasiz,
your opinion to the Governor before 1
: Is too late2 A life is at stake. A delay
can DO no harm, and may do inhnit'
. good. WALTER BACON.
Mr.. Bacon also telegraphed TO Gov
ernor Stockley ut Georgetown as fol
r lows:
Chief Justice Oomegys has tele
, graphed me that he said TO you wha
he told me he would say, and upor
which you promised respite. Wha
circumstances could have altered your
determination TO be merciful1 a lite Il
at stake, and this county demands tha
justice Gay not err.
VI WALTER BACON.
RI Mr.. Bacon has not yet given up al
hope, and is still using every effort Il
have the respite granted. 1t Is, how
ever, scarcely probable that the Cover
: nor will reconsider his determination h
. let the law take itA course.
Deputy Attorney General Biggs wa
!. seen yesterday afternoon, and whe
! asked his opinion Of the matter said h
j did not think the Governor would inter
I fere, or that under the circumstances
would be justi fed In doing 30. He Wa
q sure that Robinson had fair trial, an
that he was clearly proven guilty Of th
lcrime for which he was indicted. Nj
r Biggs also called tho attention OF th
a - n