The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-10
AN OBDURATE OFFICER


Governor Morehouse Declines TO Grant Re-
spite, Even for Twenty-Four Hours.
$oecial TO the indianapolis journal
JEFFERSON CRY, No., Aag. 9.-It was late
last night before Governor Morshouss had fn-
ished his consideration OF the printed matter
left with him in Maxwell's behalf by Counsel
Martin. Fauntleroy and Garesche. Ar s o'clock
this morning he reached bis Office accompanied
by private secretary Yantis. Fully al hour
elapsed before Maxwells lawyers put in al ap-
psarance. There were smiles of hope on their
faces but they quickly vanished when the Gov
ernor. without any introduction, began to rem
der his decision, He said:
IL have carefully examined and considered
the matter and my duty in the premises. / will
say. further that can see no reason why I
should grant another respite. l do not under
stand. from the request OF the British govern
mept for o respite for the purpose Of making
further inquiry into the case, that the British
government desires to make any inquiry itself
IL 1t desired. to make such an investigation.
certainly it would have said SO, and which l do
not understand from the communications from
Secretary BAyard. Therefore, decline to grant
further respite"
Mr.. Fauntleroy then pleaded with the Gov
ernor to grant respite for thirty days. or three
weeks, to enable Maxwell's father to visit bis
son, stating that he had been prevented from
coming during the present respite on account Of
his duties in the school-room, which he could
not leave until the first of August and that az
the British government had asked for q respite
on the second of August he had good grounds
for hoping that it would be granted. he as
sured the Governor that he knew it was the
fathers great desire to soc his son before his
that he would consider that application and give
them an answer in two hours. At the con-
clusion of the time, ell parties appeared again
in the Governors Office. when the Governor said:
"Gsntlemen-Mr. Ysntis will read you my
answer to Secretary Bsys' and desire now
TO state that IL is answ. your last request,
ss well as it is my final 'ecision."
The secretary then read the following:
JEFFERSON CITY, No., Aug. g.
To Hon. 7; F. BayarG, Secretar- # State. Washing
Sir-Ihave the honor toa edge the receipt of
your note os Aug. =, inc e communication
from Sir Lionel Sac. newest asking a
RESPITE for Maxwell, ahas Brooks, sentenced
to be hanged in st. Louis the 10th inst. The
only reason assigned for this request is the
allegation that sit is. you aware sought to OBJ
tain respite fcr the condemned man for further In
quiry Nowhere is it stated that the British govern
nent wishes to make any inquiry into this matter;
the contrary. from careful consideration of the COM
munication, and there being question of inter.
national law involved suggested am led believe
that the request is made in order that the INQUIRIES
heretofore prosecuted here BE- further extended
Being thoroughly satisfied that all the facts bearing
upon my action in the fully before me- and
well understood by have declined to grant any
further respite. ALBERT P. MoREFoUsE
Governor of Missouri
Even then the lawyers did not give up just
as soon as the private secretary had fnished
reading they iled application for one dayS
respite. lr was a lengthy document, setting
forth that the Governor was mistaken in his
idea that the British government did not wish
to make any inouiries into the case, and urging
him not to incur the risk and responsibility OF
suffering the execution to take place upon q
misunderstanding, on his part of the British
government To this Mr.. Fauntleroy added
| that he had cabled the Foreign Secretary in
England giving the substance Of the Governors
| decision; that he had also telegrsphed Minister
West and Secretary Bayard; that he
| expected replies hourly. and that all the
circumstances Of the case justified q respite
Of one day, until these dientaries could be heard
| from But the Governor was obdurate and all
that he would promise was to remain in the city
until night He had ne said, given two weeks
time to the case when be ought to have been
| looking after other matters Faunteroy sar-
castcally responded that he was the Governor
| and as such official duties should demand his at
teution before other matters. Then the lawyers
bowed themselves ont, without the usual hand
| shaking. Mr.. Garesche adding as a parting shot
that the refusal denied the right OF the British
government 70 be heard. and that il had the
| right beyond question. Mr. Martin left on the
afternoon train for St. Louis, but Fauntleroy
! remained here to receive the expected dispatches
from London and Washington