The San Francisco call., 1897-03-24
GIVEN Ten DAYS
MORE OF LIFE
Four Santa Fe Assassins
Granted a Reprieve by
Mckinley.
His Message Received After
They Had Left Their Cells
For the Gallows.
Lives of Sheriff Chavez's Slayers
Spared Until the Presldsnt Can
Investigate.

SANTA FE, Y. NJ, March 23.-Active
preparation for the execution Of the Bor-
rego gang OF murderers were in progress
here this morning when at $50 O'Clock a
telegram came from Washington sent by
Attorney-General McKenna to Governor
Thornton stating that reprieve of ten
Gays had been granted by the President
The dispatch stated that the action was
made necessary by the press of business,
which had prevented the President from
giving the case the necessary considera-
tion. Governor Thornton was requested
to grant similar respite. This was done,
although the Governor contends that the
President has no authority to interfere.
Superintendent Bergeman of the peni-
tentiary had the four condemned men out
in front of the dollhouse awaiting the ar
rival Of Sheriff kinsell, who was then ap-
preaching, accompanied by his guards
and detail of Territorial cavalry, when
the news OF the reprieve was telephoned
by the Governor 10 Colonel Bergeman
Colonel Bergeman notified the Sheriff in
the presence of the prisoners os what had
happened
The condemned men received the news
with shouts of JOY. Frank Borrego said
he was sure that it would come. He had
dreamed that reprieye would reach here
before they put foot on the waiting gal
lows. and in published interview he said
he desired 10 thank his attorneys, Catron
and SDiess, and also Colonel Max Frost,
for their earnest efforts 10 save him. AS
to whether they were guilty or innocent
OF the assassination of ex-Sheriff Chavez
coId ho had zad arys0
he would have nothing TO say.
Antonio Borrego said: "Mr. Catron has
saved Us before and he can do so again"
Antonio said lie was not guilty.
Sheriff Kinsell requested that the prison
ers be taken back TO their cells, but the
superintendent said they should not, un-
less the Sheriff would stand personally
responsible for their keep at the peniten-
uary. He said be had not been paid by
the county for the safe keeping of the
prisoners for the past year, and he had
had annoyance enough with them; so the !
Sheriff very reluctantly took the men in |
charge ana conveyed them in q carriage |
TO the county jail, ramshaekle adobe |
structure, which is deemed anything but |
secure for tha confinement OF prisoners.
An extra guard has been put on, but no |
one feeis that the conviets are safe from |
escape or rescue.
The general sentiment here is very
different on the subject OF this second
reprieye from what IL was when Nj |
Cleveland gave them q thirty days'
respite. The impression prevails that
President Mckinley VIII look per-
sonally into the case as soon as pressure !
Of public business will permit, and that /
after considering the question of juris-
diction and its merits he will decide 10 let |
the law take lis course, as did Mr. |
Cleveland.
The United States Supreme Court hav-
ing decided that the trial of the Borresos I
IN the New Mexico courts was perfectly |
regular and could not be appealed to that |
tribunal, the main question now is: Is /
the crime OF murder committed in any. of |
the Territories an ''oifense against the
United States" within the meaning OF |
that provision OF the constitution which |
gives the President Jurisdiction TO grant |
pardons or communication OF sentence?
Mr.. Catron, attorney for the Berregos, !
contends that II Is and relies on murder |
case from Santa Fe County, in which !
President Arthur BY advice of Attorney. |
General Brewster, sixtesn years ago, Is |
sued proclamation comm utsng the sem
tenee OF Z. c. Kelly from death TO life i'm /
prIsonment. District Attorney Crest. who /
Is In Washington representing the Terri
tory IN this case, contends that Congress
has vested IN the Terri orial Governor the
only authority in the premises and cites /
ex-President CleveIand's recent order in
this matter 10 sustain his position
The credit for obtaining these Prssiden-
tial reprieyes is attributed here TO Arch
bishop Chappelle. who has just returned
after hssly trip TO Washington II Is
also alleged that through the Arca b;saop
Cardinal Gibbons and Arch bishop Ireland i
were induced 10 interest themselves IN the
case, the latter having visited Washington
Yesterday partly on this mission, IL is said.
Naturally much criticism OF the Arch
bishops conduct is INDUCED in By officials
here, and even By some OF his parishIon-
ers; but, on the other hand, il is con-
tended that by such investigation ast the
PRESIDENT VIII now have time TO make all
tsint OF political persecution will be re-
moved from the case.