The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-02-26
MAJOR WILLIS T. SEWARD.
WILL HIS EXECUTION TAKE PLACE
 FINALLY IN HAWAIIP

His Old Pittsburg Friends, Headed by a
 Judge, Intervene to Save Him-A Consul
 tatiOn With Gresham-senator Hawley is
 Interested-His Connect cut Friends Are
 Working Hard to Save Him.
 Pittsburg, Pa,, Feb. 25.-Major Willis T. Seward, who is under sentence of death in Honolulu for conspiracy to overthrow the republic, has a large number of friends in Pennsylvania who are making an effort to have the death sentence commuted.
 Yesterday Judge Jacob F. Slagle of the court of common pleas forwarded to President Dole petition for delay In the execution until he can lay before the Hawaiian government evidence that will show that Seward was an intense supporter of the republican form of gov ernment and could not nave been iden- tified with any movement to aid the Irestoration of a monarchy. The petition recites Major Stewards history, his praiseworthy services to the govern ment during the civil war and his con- stantly expressed love for republic. The petition is signed by clergymen, politicians, lawyers and judges.
 It is believed by Judge Slagle that the death penalty will not be inflicted on Seward. This confidence is based on Judge Slagle's visit to Washington a week ago. While there he saw Secre- tary Gresham, Senator Hawley and Minister Thurston. All promised aid Secretary Gresham immediately tele- graphed to Minister Willis that it was the wish of this government to have the execution delayed until the guilt of Sew ard can be inquired into thoroughly It is also learned here that assurances have been given that no death sentence will be carried into effect until an eX- pression can be had from other govern ments. GOOD WORK BY CONNECTICUT
 FRIENDS.
 New London, Conn, Feb. 25.-John c. Nichols received two letters of import ance yesterday as bearing on the fate of Major w. T. Seword, condemned to death at Honolulu.
 Mrs. Colonel Rodman writes to MT. Nichols, under date of Saturday, the CdQSS OI 0GWtId DSlllB III IACANO- lulu at this time, and the probable req som of his espousing the cause of the de- posed Queen Lii:
 "Mr. Seward, soon after the War of the Rebellion, became i'll and lost his health. His money. too, was dissipated, and on advice of his physician he went to the Pacific coast. He afterwards left California for Honolulu, and there while | seeking employment fell in with an The latter wanted pri- vate secretary and Seward gave him his servtces-without salary-doing | such work as his strength allowed. The | influence of this Englishman," writes | Isabella Rodman, was the cause of | Major Seward favoring the resolution" He disliked to incur the displeasure of | his employer who no doubt had shown | him many favors, and possibly many | promises in case Queen Lil should be restored to the throne.
 MT. Nichols had also just received a letter from Mrs. Seward It reads as follows:
 Bridgeport, Conn, Feb. 19, 1895.
 Dear Sir-It Is impossible for me to put in words my thanks to you for your kind interest in my husband, myself | and our children. l shall always hold you in grateful remembrance and ask Gods blessing upon you. Our hearts are ful1 of anguish, but we are trying to hope Senator Hawley tries to en- us. He and other friends are making efforts in my husbands behalf. [ forwarded your letter to President Dole. am, most gratefully. yours,
 SARAH E. SEWARD"