Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-24

letters poured iu on his EXcelioncy until
the papers in the case became very
voluminous. The Governor has given the
matter careful and painstakng considera-
ton.
THE GOVERNORS REASONS.
Private-Secretary owen received the
papers in the case from Governor Tyler
yesterday morning. His Excellency thus
explains why he cOmmuted the sentence:
Thomas W. Price was twice tried in
the County Court of Prince Edward cOun-
~ for killing one Hall Carter The jury
in both trials found a verdict of murder
I'm the first degree. and the prisoner was
last sentenced TO be hung on the 9Th day
90 frl'- 1900 4 respite was granted until
the 9Th Of September, 1899
inr lIry. OF course is the judge of
evidence, and the verdict should stand
unless Under unusual circumstances.
There are unusual circumstances in
the case that appeal very strong In be-
half of the prisoner In fact. | have
never had a petition so well supported.
Eleven of the .ast jury and the other
member I am informed Is agreed very
earnestly appeal for Communication. Seven
OF the first jury also unite in the petition
The COmmonwealth's Attorney says he
thinks fully three fourths of the people
u AiE 'UNllh Hlt III lfNUl OF having AlAN
sentence committed. The Judge does not
dsapprove the application. out OF total
Of white votes in the county Of $50. S3S
gigned the petition. a large number Of
the most respectable md wealthy citi-
Zens Of the county write strong personal
letters i'm behalf of the prisoner There
are few letters from good men. one
minister OF the Gospel and a compare
lively small petition opposing commuta-
ton.
ION the petitions alone the evidence is
sufficiently strong 20 Justify the conclu-
sion that il is not only the wish of n
large majority Of the citizens Of the cOun-
~ that commutation should be granted
but il Is perfectly evident that violence
would not be- done public sentiment by
such a course.
II have patiently gone over the evil
dence I'm the case. and whilst. as stated
the jury should be the judge of the EVIL
dence, / cannot conscientiously see that
a verdict OF murder i'm the first degree
was wholly justihable and the after
statement Of the second jury Indicate
some doubt. There was certainly a doubt
as 20 the prisoner under the circum-
stances and in his condition having plan
ned wilful and deliberate murder, and he
Is entitled 10 the doubt.
He is an old man. was a good citizen
when not drinking, was a faithful. brave,
and loyal soldier. who served his State
in time that tried mems souls His i'm
prisOnment for life behind penltentiary
bars, during his few remaining years. will
be but little less severe punishment.
I'm view of all the circumstance. and
with a hope that II may Jesuit In his
spiritual good. the prayers Of the petition
is granted and Communication OF lie i'm
prisonment is hereby ordered"
PRICE WAS NOT SURPRISED.
4 special received by the Dispatch last
night from its Farmyile correspondent
says:
AS soon as the news reached here that
the death sentence passed upon Thomas
w. Price had been committed 10 life i'm
prisonment, the Dispatch correspondent
hurried to the county jail 10 inform the
prisoner OF his good fortune. one would
suppose the condemned old man would
have received the news with an out
burst of Joy. but this was not SO. He was
not even enthusiastic on hearing that the
Governor had spared his life. He re-
sponded by saying he knew all the while
that the Governor would do Just what
he has done, and that In five years he
would be out Of the penitentiary He ex-
pressed great desire TO be taken at once
TO Richmond. where. he says. he is going
to do all in his power 10 please the Off
cials OF the penitentiary. He was asked
how ne had known all the time that his
sentence would be commuted, and replied
that IL was through constant, earnest
prayer that such an ending Of his case had
been shown him.
REVIEW OF THE CASE.
1.-THE readers OF the Dispatch are ia
miliar with the crime for which Thomas
w. Price was twice tried. convicted, and
sentenced 10 death. In July OF last year
he shot and killed a young man named
Hall Carter. the son Of prominent