Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-10
THE MAVERICK CASE.
Many Prominent People 10 England
Writing 10 Washington.
GOVERNMENT ACTION ASKED
The nIisf !. That tho Conviction
of the Imprisoned Woman Was
without Warrant of Law-General
j. II. Milford.


csal.)-since congressional aid has been
invoked In behalf OF Mrs. Maybriek,
many prominent people In England have
written here. urging prompt action. ana
giving the strongest reasons Why that
lady should be liberated. Several OF
these communications have been address
cd to the Secretary Of state. Mr.
James l.. Foulds. OF Corstorphine, Edin-
burgh, writing under date Of April
10th, TO Mr.. Olney, remarks: You are
perhaps not aware that chiefly through
subscriptions raised by women Of the
United States a statement OK Mrs. May
bricks case was prepared by Messrs.
Lumley & Lumley, solicitors, London
in 1892 for the opinion OF the follow
ing eminent criminal counsel-viz.; Sir
Charles Russell. Queens Counsel mow
Lord Russell, Of Killowen), and Lord
Chief-Justce Of England, il. Bodkin Po-
land. Queens Counsel; Fletcher Moul-
ton, Queens Counsel ana member Of
Parliament; Reginald Smith, and Alex
ander McDougail. The first four gave
q written opinion strongly in the con-
vict's favor. and added that there were
incidents and evidences at her trial
which demanded the grave consideration
OF a court OF criminal appeal, IL any
such tribunal existed in England. AIR
Alexander McDougall gave separate
opinion, stin more emphatic
EFFORTS IN ENGLAND.
Since October, 1851. succession OF
pamphlets have been written and pub
lished at various times In England. all
Ia favor oil ais. mayo InnOccnce'
and ali from separate sources independent
each OF the other. Dir. Alexander Nc
Dougall published book Of COO pages on
the case In 1871, and has since recently
published the letters he addressed to the
Home secretary of the present govern
ment An American lady, Mrs. Helen
Densmore, also published a small, but
1orcible volume.
Ii is often said that Mrs. Maybrick
has wealthy relatives, probably because
her mother Is a baroness, but this is in
correct. The Baroness Is not wealthy, and
Mr.. Foulds says he Is personally aware
that neither her mother nor any other
relation has spent any money on this
pamphleteering in Mrs. Maybricks case.
Jt has been throughout purely a volun-
tary ana disinterested efiort. The con-
slant contention Of nearly all in England
and elsewhere who have taken an in
tertst in Mrs. Maybrick's case vs. that
she WAS wrOngfuly convicted; that the
evidence at her trial was not only incorn-
plete. but such as TO suggest presumptlVe
proof OF her innocence, and of n con-
spiracy TO put charge upon an innocent
woman. Upon these grounds. and upon
the irresularity, the bias, or the incom-
petonce OF the Court and prior proceed
ings. the English people wish the wrong
redrossed. Within a fortnight from Mrs.
IL
1883. petitions were voluntarily sent in
from almost every part of the United
Kingdom, signed by fully half million
OF citizens, praying for her release or
free pardon.
REASONABLE DOUBT
A former Home Secretary of England
has admitted the existence of reason
able doubt" whether murder had been
committed, but added that the evidence
led clearly TO the conclusion that Mrs.
Maybrick had administered. or at
tempted to administer arsenic 10 her
husband with intent TO murder him"
High legal authorities IN England con-
tend that such decision" is unconst-
tutional. Murder and attempt TO murder
are two separate crimes in the English
calendar. Mrs Maybrick was arraigned
for murder only. III there be reasonable
doubt whether such murder was COM
rnitted, she Is entitled TO the benefit If
that doubt. 1t Is contended that IL IS
not competent for the Hotme Secretary
10 retry the case, or condemn a criminal.
Petitions have continued TO pour IN
ever since but neither Of the Home Sec
retaries has yielded TO the complaints.
or vouchsafed any reason for their re-
fusai.
Such refusal, It is claimed IS wholly
IL
tinued 10 pour I'm since the decision
was given, which have taken the form of
re5rcctlIl protests against it, and have
also drawn attention 10 the new evidence
since obtained, which edectually proves
Mrs. Maybrick's innocence.
II Is not the function OF the Home
Oflce, It Is claimed In England, or the
Home Secretary, 10 dictate to the people
what Is justice. but rather TO learn from
and obey them. The United States Gov
eminent has therefore every right To
afk that constitutional heed to the VIII
OF the people In England be not
denied. because exercised in behalf OF an
American woman. Mr.. Foulds who IS an
eminent lawyer. is one who has continue
ously worked, al his own cost OF time
and money. 20 effect Mrs. Maybrlck
release. because II Is his honest beilet
that grave miscarriage OF justice mas
occurred In her case, and that she Is ap-
solutely innocent of either crime laid to
her charge.
The sentiment in England is just as
strong in Mrs. Maybrick's favor as II Is
In this country. and 1t Is the opinion that
n Ambassador Bayard was forced 10 use
his good offices with the Home Secretary
Mrs Maybrick would be released
GENERAL MULFORD.
Yesterday evening / had the pleasure
Of meeting In the Metropolitan Hotel
General John r. milford, the Federal
commissioner for the exchange OF prison
ers. who resided for a number OF years
after the war IN Richmond, where he Is
we'll known and has many warm friends.
The General IS in excellent health, looks
remarkably well. and except that his
beard is quite gray. is unchanged. lie Is
now residing IN New York. where he is
engaged I'm business. and Is on his return
from Florida, where he had been with
Mrs Milford. who is an invalid. Gen
eral Milford enquired eagerly about his
old Richmond friends. the members Of
the ambulance corps, and others. lie
has warm pace in his heart for Rich
mond. aud he asked particularly about
Mr.. John Enders. Colonel George Palmer,
Captain Babcock. Major BENJAMIN Nash.
Ma Charles simpson. Colonel Joseph Il.
Carrinrtcn Justice John Crutchheld. Mr..
Isaac Davenport, Mr.. John H. Bryant.
and a larse number OF others. many OF
whom have long since passed over the
river and are resting under the shade
OF the trees
General milford stopped here 70 give
his wife resi- on her trip from Florida
% NcY York. lie was glad 10 hear Of
the Improvement and prosperity OF Rich
mond. and expressed a strong desire TO
visit your city and renew old acqcaint-
ancRa In The near fliinro Hn VII laaNn