Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-12-15
Cluverius to DO hanged January l4th.
THE GOVERNOR DECLINES TO INTHRFERE
WITH THE JUDGMENT OF THE
COTIRTH

THE GOVERNOR DECLINES TO INTHRFERE
WITH THE JUDGMENT OF THE
COURTS.
Ga Tuesday afternoon Of last week, Gov.
Lee sent letter to Judge Crump in which
he declined to interfere with the judgment
of the courts in the case Of Thomas J.
Cluverius, who is under sentences Of death
for the murder of Fannie Lillian Madison.
The following is copy of the letter:
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA,
GOVERNORS OFFICE,
RICHMOND, Va, December Z, 1886.
To Judge ". ". Crunsp and Messrs. II. r.
Pollard, a. BroaOn Euans and B. r..
Crump, Counsel for Thomas j. Cluue-
RUS:
Gentlemen have the honor to say that
I have given to your statements and to the
papers and petitions presented by you, the
prisoner and others, for the exercise of Ex-
ecutive clemenoy to Thomas ]. Cluverius,
the careful examination and considerate
attention which their Importance and the
distinguished character and learning of his
The prisoner came from the judicial to
the Executive department of the Govern
ment marked guilty" by judges and jury;
starting at that point therefore, I have
been diligently studying the record while
industriously seeking information and evil
dence from all other sources, which might
ccnclusively prove to my mind that the YER
dict of the courts was an error, and that
therefore the sentence pronounced by the
Court Of Hustingsand affirmed by Virginia 8
highest court must be set aside or COM
muted; with an earnest desire to faithfully
execute, without fear or favor, the laws Of
the State impartialiy to all; with the most
profound sympathy for those upon whose
hearts this blow must fall; with clear con-
science that am discharging my duty to
the people of my State as God has given
me strength to see it, now write to inform
you that have not been able to reach a
different conclusion from that held by the
courts, and, therefore, the case Of Thomas
]. Cluverius il not one in my opinion to
call for Executive interference either by
the exercise of the pardoning power or by
Communication of sentence.
lam, gentlemen, with great respect,
Your obedisnt servant,
FITzHuaH LEE.
CLUvERIUs REsPITRD TILL JANUARY 18th.
During Wednesday morning Mr.. Bever-
ley Crump called to 500 him and remained
some time. DR.. Hatcher, his spiritual
adviser, also called to see him, after having
| seen the Governor and told him that in the
evening he would present formal petition
asking respite.
Wednesday evening about 4 o'clock DR..
| Hatcher called on Governor Leo and pre-
scented the following letter to his Excel
leney:
RICHMOND, VA, December 8, 1885,
To Gopernor Fitzhugh Lee:
| hereby present to you my humble and
last petition, that you will grant to me q
reprieve for a term of sixty days, that
may have suitable time to prepare for nay
inevitable end. This solemnly feel il
most nesdful and important for me in my
present sad condition, all earthly hope being
now cut off.
| THOMAS J. CLUvERIUs.
The Governor sent message to the
prisoner by DR.. Hatcher telling him hi
would respite him until the 14th of Janu-
airy next.
The news was at once conveyed to Gu
vsrius, and considerably relieved his ankle.
ty.