The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16
Hope Comes Again
To Mrs. MaybriCk.
Is

The case Of Mrs Maybrick. The Amer
lean woman lncarcerated in an English
prison. whose case has been a cause
celebre for the past eight years, has
again attracted attention because Of
the recent appeal made by President
Mckinley TO Lord Salisbury through
the United States embassy IN London
for clemency.
When Mrs. Maybrck was tried in
Liverpool for the attempted murder Of
her husband. no one for moment sup
posed that verdict of guilty could or
would be found. one of the papers
prematurely announced her acquittal, a
result that was received with universal
satisfaction and relief. In little
while the real result OF the trial was
made public and the people were
axhast. She had been found guilty Of
murder in the first degree and SEN
fenced TO death. Nothing had been
proved She had been charged with one
crime and sentenced for another. and
the Judge. then in falling mind, shortly
afterward retired from the bench.
The trial itself was SO doubtful that
the sentence was commuted which
never would have been done under the
rigid English law had the evidence been
conclusive. The fact that reprieve was
granted is i'm itself an assurance that
the home office. stubborn and implaca-
ble as il has been, was not absolutely
convinced.
Mrs Maybrick Is an American wom-
an with the blood OF Revolutionary pa
tliots In her veins. She possessed i'm
her girlhood striking beauty. a delicate,
fair complexion, fair hair and blue eyes.
"a slender. graceful figure, with a dig
nifty OF carriage which still survives.
She had a brilliant mind, which had
been improved by study and travel and
natural taste for reading. She is an
accomplished linguist. pianist and
draws and paints, and her manner, aft
err eight years Of confinement i'm prison.
is still that of a well bred, polished
woman.
During the long interval since the
prison doors first closed upon Mrs
Maybrick. then a young woman 26
years of age, she has suffered many in
dignities of minG and body 1t is but
Just to say that much has been done
during the past few years to alleviate
the lot of the unfortunates doomed to
living death in English prisons and
this has been largely accomplished
through the instrumentality of the HUI
manitarian society. the efforts of chap
lains attached TO the prisons. and last
but not the least, the appointment OF
women official visitors.
1t is worthy of note that the latest
reform is due wholly 10 the efforts OF
the British Woman Suffrage society.
the two ladies assigned 10 Ayesbury
heing Adeline, duchess OF Bedford, the
sister Of Lady Henry Somerset. and
Lady Battersea. both influential mem
bers of that society.
An indignity that was heaped on her
was the manner OF her removal from
Woking 10 Aylesbury She was at that
time Ill with congestion Of the lungs.
and In the infirmary, but she was forced
70 rise, dress and was manacled during
the entire journey. 1t was a needless
humiliation and certainly indefensible
harshness, Notwithstanding that IL Is
difficult 10 discriminate i'm the treat
mcnt OF prisoners who. within the pale
OF the law, cease TO claim the rights
and privileges OF individuals.
As to Mrs. Maybrick herself as n
woman. the manner i'm which she has
ocrne her terrible doom is sufficiently
attested by the profound respect and
attention which have been felt for her
IN every prison where she has been
and by all who have come i'm contact
With her. from the governor 10 the at