Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-12
PARDON FOR SEARCY.
HIS LAWYER MAKES APPLICATION
TO THE GOVERNOR.
The TRlIE.ROBBER MAY Be FREED.
He II Said to Have Made n Good
Prisoner-News of the Capitol
Want Virginia Lands-A Little
Politics.

The application to the Governor for
pardon for Charles j. Searcy, who is now
serving an eight-year term in the peniten-
eiary for the robbery of train on the
Richmond. Fredericksburg and Potomac
road near Aqua creek in the fall OF 1881.
was the chief event OF interest about the
Capitol yesterday.
Mr.. Richmond, OF Baltimore, who was
Searcy's lawyer at,the preliminary cxami-
nation, called at the Governors office, and
was disappointed at finding the Execu-
tive out Of the city Mr.. Richmond ytates
that IT was agreed by the prosecuting at
torneys that If Searcy would confess his
punishment would be only few years in
the penitenuary. Instead Of being given
a light sentence. he was sent up for eight
years. and his pal. Morganfeld, who was
the principal. was given eighteen years
Application was made to Governor Iyier
predecessor for a pardon for Searcy, but
1t was refused. in December 1897.
HAS MADE A GOOD PRISONER.
Mr.. Richmond says he thinks that Scar
cy has suffered enough. He calls atten-
ton 10 the fact that had il not been Tor
the confession Of Searcy neither he nor
MorSanheld could have been convicted.
He also says that Searcy has been good
prisoner, and is deserving of clemency.
II is not known what action Governor
Tyler will take I'm the matter.
Searcy has made a good prisoner, ac-
cording to the penitentiary officials. Ever
since his Incarceration he has shown a
disposition to give as little trouble as DOS
a.. s.sg. 4 . ~ N
Of the shoe-shop. Morganfield has been
ugly ever since his first day in the prison.
Not long ago he attempted to oyerpower
his guard He has made good his promise
when he entered the prison to give all the
trouble in his power. He sews on buttons
in the tailor-shop.
INQUIRIES FOR VIRGINIA LAND.
Mr. Richardson. Register of the Land
Office. yesterday received from gentle
man in Philadelphia a letter asking him
10 furnish Information as to where a
tract Of land containing from 5000 10 5000
acres could be purchased in Virginia.
The writer stated that the land was
wanted for a colony it was proposed 10
plant in some State of the South. Mr.
Richardson referred the letter 10 the STATE
Commissioner Of Agriculture. The Regis
ter and the Commissioner have of late re-
cc!ved numerous inquiries regarding Nir-
ginia lands
There has also been a very heavy in.
flow Of letters upon the Register recently
rom persons, chiefly from other States,
asking him for Information from his Of
fee relating TO ances tors He replies to
all these, and wherever possible sends
them the information sought
There is fee attached to this service
The majority Of the letters come from
persons who wish to join the Sons or
Daughters OF the Revolution and want
their genealogical tree completed.
THEY TALK POLITICS.
Mr.. Richardson is just back from Ma
rion, whittier he went to cast his vote
for Judge Rhoa. He says the campaign
In the Ninth this year was one Of til
warmest he has ever known. The re-
turns show how general was the interest,
as the vote polled ia the district was
much larger than in any olner In the
State. Mr.. Richardson says it was also
remarkably fair election. Little money
was used on either side.
State-Treasurer Harmon and Mr. r. r.
Mcleod. Of the Auditors Office, are back
from Rockbridge count where trat .0s.
their ballots for Judge Quarles and Mr..
McCOrkle. State SenatOr-e.ecC Ihey are
Enthusiastic over the result tL INt rltt
ion IN the Tenth District. They were
from the first hopeful Of the cloc''
Judge Quar.es. but were doubtful Of Mr..
McCOrkle's election. 1t was feared t.--
ina Republicans would use the senatorial
candidate 10 trade on for votes for che
candidate for Congress. There seems to
have been little or no trading. except.
perhaps, in Buchanan, the home of Mr..
FuWller the opponent OF Mr.. McCorkle
At this place Hubbard votes seem 20 have
been exchanged for Fulwiler votes. 70
Fuhard's loss McCorkle's loss and TO the
gains Of Quarles and Fulwiler.
a FLAl UHE OF THE CANVAS
Mr.. McCorkes strong run is one Of the
features OF the canvas. He is n ripple.
He cannot stand upright. His opponent
was an active young man, experienced in
political work, and Of wide acquaintance.
But Mr.. McCorkle proved himself able 10
more than cope with him. Though he
was nominated so late as 10 only barely
have time to file his notice OF candidacy,
he carried every county of his district,
except Highland including Allegheny.
which went Republican In 1896 by Loo
majority. and Rockbridge, which gave the
Republicans go majority in 1896. He ran
ahead OF his ticket everywhere, many
Republicans being among his most en-
thusiastic supporters. Mr.. McCorkle de-
veloped a high order Of organizing
ability, and accomplished the almost inn
possible feat of arousing apathetic voters.
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