The Lafayette gazette., 1895-06-29

with the proper appreciation OF his
duties would have refused to grant
"a reprieve under these circum-
stances and those who will blame
him in the face of the kilograms
from the judge and district attor-
ney are carried away by political an :
iomsity and are not actuated by a
sentiment of justice. If there be
any blame it can not be laid at the
door of the governor. Let's be. fair
in this matter and not jump on the
the governor for doing what any
fair man similarly situated would
have done. Gov. Foster undoubted-
ly has his faults. He has not
reached that degree of perfection
which is attributed to some of the
recently anointed reformers of
Louisiana; but it is cruelty unjust
as we'll as grossly absurd to charge
him with any improper motive in
granting reprieve to this wretched
murderer.
The following is the special men
toned above:
Special to The Times Democrat.
Baton Rouge, June 2I.-Gov. Foster was
at the Executive office this evening for the
first time since last Thursday, having been
confined to his room with fever. He stated
that he was somewhat better, but not feel
ing at all we'll. The Governor, being asked
relative to the reprieve in the case of Syl-
vester Abshire, who was to have been exc
cuted to-day, stated that the facts were
about these: ..On last Sunday, while sick
in bed, Mr.. Minos T. Gortly, attornev-at-law>
a number Of affidavits of witnesses to the
homicide going to show that the deceased
was the aggressor. This evidence was al
legged 20 have been discovered subsequent to
the trial and bore materially upon the case.
He also presented petItions signed by
large number of of citizens asking either a
rePrieve or a commutation of sentence. He
also presented letters from the judge and
district attorney declaring that they were
opposed to a Communication of sentence, and
that the prisoner was legally convicted after
/. fair trial. At this interview I told Mr..
Gordy that would examine the documents
Tuesday following.
..On that date (Tuesday) Mr.. Gordy
called again, and told HIM that in view of
the letter of the judge and district attorney
and that the law had ITO take its course.
He then stated that he did not think the
judge and district attorney had seen the
newly discovered evidence set forth in the
affidavit. I still declined to grant the res
pite, when he left, stating that he go
ing to see the judge. On Thursday re-
celvcd the following telegrams from Crow
ley: T
81 have no objection to a further reprieve
in the Abshire case to enable the matter to
be presented to the full Board of Pardons.
1 reserve my right to oppose a pardon or
of sentence.
'' M. c. PERRAULT, Judge
s. '1n the matter of the death sentence of
Sylvester Abshire, 1 believe for the reasons
stated in my letter to you and all the cir
of the case that a repricve should
De granted him until such time the Par
aoning Board is complete.
Sc L. u. DUBCISSON,
sc District Attorney
Sc The verdict in the Abshirc written.
No signature thereto. The minutes of court
Fail to supply omission, therefore null.
NJ. +. GORDY, Jr.'
81 could but conclude from these tcle-
grams of the judge and district attorney
that the evidence submitted by Mr.. 'Gordy
to them had had some weight, and that they
der to- give an opportunity to the condemned
man to present his case to the Board of Par
dons.
ga reprieve is neither pardon nor n
and the repreve in his in
stance is only granted until further in this
case, and know that no political influences
we're brought to bear upon me in this case.
The telegram from Mr.. Gordy as to the null |
lity of kthe verdict raises a question in the
case which certainly deserves some conside-
raticn.'