The Topeka state journal., 1897-10-14
Governor Atkinson Feels Free
to Speak For His Wife
Now That the Trial is Over
Suggests Conspiracy,
BRIBERY, PERJURY.
It is Probable That No More
Will be Heard of the Case.
Views of the Various Governors
on the PardOning Power.

Cincinnati Oct. IA special to the
CommerciaI-Tribune from Weston, w.
Va, says:
After the verdict in the case of the state
of West Virginia against the wife of
Governor Atkinson. the defendant refused
to talk. but Governor Atkinson gave a
statement for the press in which he
said:
THE prosecution was actuated by mall
ice. I am of the opinion that several
witnesses. indeed all the testimony upon
which the case hinged, had been induced
to testify for consideration. 1 am thor
ougly convinced that two or more of them
were purchased. All fair-minded people
could see clearly that Camden Sommers,
grandson of the late G. d. Camden. was
at the bottom of and instigator of this
procedure. Soon after Judge Camden
married my present wife. Mr. Sommers
and others started out career of
persecution by anonymous letters and
newspaper stories. Indeen, prior to Mrs.
Atkinson's marriage to Camden, she was
annoyed with anonymous letters warm
ing her not to marry Camden. Further
more, when the will of Judge Camden
was about to be prObated she received
various letters threatening newspaper
publication unless a large sum of money
was paid, in which case it was promised
nothing would be said relative to her.
After her marriage to me a similar
anonymous letter was received by her.
The man who inspired all these publica-
tions is well known to be Camden SOM
mers, upon whose testimony the indict-
ment against Mrs. Atkinson was solely
founded and who appeared the princi-
pal prosecuting witness in this case. In
my unbiased judgment Mrs. Atkinson is
guilty of no crime whatever, most GER
tainly not the crime of aiding in utter
ing the forged papers charged against
her in the indictment. Evidence showed
that Camden Sommers proposed to the at
torneys of Joshua Owens that if he would
testify against Mrs. Atkinson, nothing
would be done with Owens and that he
would not have to pay for his land which
they claimed had not been paid for. All
I have to say in conclusion is that the
whole thing, from beginning to end, is
worked up to injure my wife and hu-
initiate me-
Mrs. Atkinson did not waver from her
statement that all the receipts in cOntro-
versy given to Owens were written at the
dictation of Judge Camden IN his life
time and that they represented what they
show upon their faces. She insisted that
all the other papers and transactions re-
lied upon by the state to show criminal
intention were genuine, and instituted at
the dictation of Judge Camden. She de-
MED that she had any interest whatever
in the Owens land, or that Owens had
at any time given her money or anything
else of value
There is a hint that the presenting at
torney will ask for nolIe prosequi at
the next term of court.
St Louis Oct. 14-During the trial of
Mrs. Atkinson, wife of the governor of
West Virginia, on a charge of forgery
the Post-Dispatch asked a number of gov
ernors what they would do under similar
circumstances in case of conviction The
following replies were received;
Maine@The relation of husband and
wife, parent and child or any other tie
should not deprive a person of pardon if
he or she would be entitled to receive
one did not the connection exist.
LEWELLYN POWERS.
Governor.
Arizona-I think a governor should be
fully justified in pardoning his wife.
BENZ. J. FRANKLIN,
Former Governor.
Wyoming-Pardons should not be issued
except for good reasons. If such existed.
a governor should pardon his wife con-
victed of a felony, at least as readily as
he would pardon anyone else. If no good
legal reason existed, then he should par
don her and resign.
w. D. A. RICHARDS,
Governor.
Washington-I do not know whether
governor of a state would be justified in
hardening his wife if convicted of a felony
or not. but if a woman was true to him
and he loved her he would be very apt
to do it anyhow-that is, if he was man.
JOHN r. ROGERS, Governor.
North Dakota-I would pardon my wife
tod If al
or not guilty.
F. A. BRIGGS, Governor.
Colorado commend to Governor At
kinson the sentiment of Agesilaus the
Spartan King. when appealing for his
friend Mas: IF Nicias be innocent. alb
solve him; if he be guilty, acquit him;
upon my account, however, be sure to
acquit him"
'ALVA ADAMS, Governor.
South Dakota-A governor would be
justified in pardoning his wife for felony
for good and sufficient reasons only as
he would be justified in issuing a pardon
In any other case.
ANDREW f. LEE, Governor
California would pardon n2y wife If
she were convicted of felony
JAMES H. BUDD, Governor
vermont-You ask if governor would
he justified in pardoning his wife if con-
victed Of felony. Perhaps he would, un-
less some other governor could.
JOSIAH CIRCUIT, Governor.
nr--ain NJ TRY CSrain-Oi