The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-03-20
BRAlLEY'S F!RMNESS
Why Kentuoky's Governor Re-
fused to Save Murderers.
a MOST VIGOROUS DENUNoIATIoN

OF the Brutal Killing Of Pearl Bryan and
I, the Many Conflicting Statements of Her
slaysrs-His Duty Is to Execute the
fI,Newport. Ky, March 20.-sheriff
elummer, with one deputy and the four
guards of Jackson and Walling, left
Aisxandria yesterday a short time be-
fore noon to make the journey to the
Newport jail, where the men were
hanged today. Jackson and Walling
we're each handcuffed to a guard.
Shortly before reaching the road lead
lng to Fort Thomas Jackson pointed to
that road, saying: There is where we
turned off," AS they passed the Locke
farm they saw Farmer Locke and
some members of his family standing
at the spot where Pearl Bryan's body
Aves found. Sheriff PMmmer asked
jackson If he recognized the place.
jackson looked around coolly and an
swered. 81 do not recognize the spot"
When the party reached Newport a
hrowd estimated at several thousand
had gathered near the Jail. Jackson
and Walling were evidently frightened,
and the sheriff had difficulty in getting
through the mass to the Jail entrance,
but there was no hostile demonstra-
tions on the part Of the spectators. In
side the cell Walling was told that the
last hope had gone. He made no COM
msiit on the news, but asked reporter
to esms end see him soon. Jackson
also heard the fateful news in silence.
The text Of Governor Bradieys final
refusal to interfere in the case was
Given out last night. The friends OF
DR.. Wagner, who Is now confined In
iunatic asylum, were among those who
asked for q respite, in order to give
them an opportunity to prove that the
doctor had no knowledge of the crime.
Governor Bradley's statement Is In
substance as follows:
''The common law concerning the
HfIae admitted In the confessions to
Save been committed is In force in THIS
state. The confessions show that
Pearl Bryan was killed by drugs ad-
minis tered to her to perform an abor-
tion, II this be true the child was
killed also.
"The confessions, however, are In
consistent and contradictory, utterly
at war with every statement that each
of them made on the witness stand. 1t
is urged~that this should be overlooked
because they were then swearing Tor
their lives. If they are excusaple
for swearing falsely then how much
more are they eXeusable and now
much more likely is 1t that they Woulu
speak falsely now.
''These men have not only trifed
with human life. but have trifled with
the courts, trifed with the execution.
and set at defiance the laws Of God
and man. If it be established that one
criminal, after such conduct as this,
can by q mere pretended confession
obtain a respite, then every other Is
entitled to like treatment, and this
would result In frustrating Justice and
bringing the execution of the laws INTO
eentempt The wounded hand OF Pearl
Bryan solemnly and surely points to
shs fact that she was not dead when
hsheaded. That wound could have
been inflicted only when. during the
Aefrible agony of her decapitation, she
ra,red 1t in order to ward off the cruel
knife.
"Dr, Wagner Is In the asylum, and
Is the man of all others, by reason OF
his condition, at whose door the de-
fendants would most naturally lay this
fsrrible crime. To grant respite in
pfder that the defendants might be
used as witnesses to procure his con-
xlction would result in delay of at
least q year. In viaw of the various
conflicts In defendants statements no
sury would or could believe any state
ment that either of them might make,
and consequently Wagner would not
be convicted. Such delay could result
IN no good and would only add fuel to
the flames and furnish a further in
centive to mob violence in this state.
1.-THE claim that Waling was under
the influence of Jackson, and there
fore should have clemency, cannot be
considered He showed himself the |
willing and ready assistant. Each of |
them have exhibited a reckless disre-
gard for human life. Their confessions,
taken in connection with the facts and |
circumstances proven in the case show |
that they committed an atrocious |
crime. Life Is precious to them, but |
no more so than 1t was to their victim. |
Their poor mothers are entitled to |
Bympa lny, pul no ilUEe tildh the
mother of Pearl Bryan.
.The law has been set at defiance |
and the fair name of Kentucky stained |
with another bloody murder. Twelve |
men have passed upon the guilt Of
each The circuit Judge and appellate
Judges have affirmed their actions. My
oath is that II will see that the laws
are faithfully executed" The jury
aIed the penalty. l have plain duty
to perform. 1t Is not my province TO
make laws, but to enforce them; neith-
or Is it my province to fix the death
penalty, nor is it proper that 1 should
Intervene to prevent its infiction when
the law and the evidence authorize It,"