The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-05
Mr.. Bs,ard interviewed.

! WASHINGTON, Aug. l.-To-night Nr.
Bayard said concerning the matter: II
simply transmitted 10 the Governor Of
Missouri the request Of the British minis
ter, II being my duty Us Secretary Of state
to receive communications Of any charac-
ter whatever from foreign power or ito
representatives. ! made no recommends
ton in the matter, aud took no official
action further than 90 transmit IL 20 tho
Governor Of Missouri. The state depart
mcnt can have no Jurisdiction
In the matter. Whatever h done must 10
done by the Governor Of Missouri. ~ he
alone can have jurisdiction. ! am in-
| formed that the action Of the British min
ister II based upon u representation 10 him
| 10y an attorney In the case Who was
recently here, that deep grounded pref
udicc exists la Missouri against the pris-
Oncr. aud Mr.. West has been induced 10
use his influence ~ the British minister to
secure a respite, aud II possible n further
hearing. A. Ia the merits Oi the case 1
know nothing. a. II h q matter in
which the state department can take
no action. The ease nnuse in tho
State oi Missouri, and the conviction was
had there and sentence pronounced Ia that
state. II IN therefore left sblrty for that
State 10 determine what shall be done. 1
am Of the opinion that Il can not be- made
u national question. The Governor Of
Missouri will doubtless act upon the British
minister's request ~ lac may icel inclined
under the Missouri law, aud not ns any
law exists, national OF international, 10
compel him 10 act. ~
L.. a. "A a. Ia IFN IsHF "A
United States had over INTERVIEWED on be-
half Of an American subject convicted Of
murder In the British dominion. Mr..
Bayard said.
"Ics, there was n case about two years
ago. ! have forgotten the name OF the
prisoner. hut lac was an American, ar
rested, tried aud convicted Tor murder In
Canada An appeal was finally made 20
the American government In his behalf.
aud the state department Interested itself
Ia the matter, because Il was clearly
shown 90 my mind that lee was probably
innocent. There was considerable diplo-
matte communication over the matter aud
new trial Was finally granted
not by the British government OF tho
Canadian authorities, but the authorities
Oi Ottawa, the province In which the ease
originated. The second trial resulted IN
onyiciion also, and the man was hanged.
I do not know that the Maxwell case il ia
any degree similar except "a, ~ the citlyru'
shin oi the two men, ior ! know nothing
81 the details Of the Maxwell case. Tho
latter case. however, would have 10 re-
upon H. own merits, a. was held IA ibe
former
In response TO a query as to whether tho
President could exercise any authority,
Mr. Bayafd said.
ole can have no more 20 DO With i ihan
any citizen II rests solely. ~ ! under
stand IT,, with the Governor OF Missouri,
notwithstanding the request Of The BnI-
ish minister"
Again want 10 say" be continued,
"tho action OF the British minister can ia
no way be considered ~ giving the case q
national or international character ana
the action OF the state department was
merely 10 transmit the commicaiion OF MI:
West to the proper authority Of State Of
the Union