The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-02
GOVERNOR Will SoT INTERFERE.
Refuses to Commute the Sentence of
Webster. who Must Hang.

Special Dispatch to the Post-Intelligeneer
OLYMPIA, March 1.--Goy. Rogers is in
receipt OF 50 many appeals made in behalf
of men guilty Of capital crimes, he gives
out the following letter, written 10 a gen
teman in Spokane. I'm order that his posi-
ton in these matters may be fully under
Olympia. March /. 1890
David Glass, Esq. Spokane. Wash
My Dear Sir: have your letter of Febru-
AIRY %. In which, in lawyer-like manner
and well-chosen phrase, you ask me 10
commute the sentence of George Webster,
convicted of murder in the first degree and
sentenced to death, to imprisonment FOR
life. The ground upon which you wish
me TO act being the absence of sufii-
Gent evidence in your mind TO properly
establish malice in the commission OF the
crime on the part OF said Webster. In
short, as II would appear. you ask me to
retry the case and change the sentence
imposed by the court, substituting there
for lesser punishment thus constituting
myself sort of superior supreme court
for the trial of offenders who may be un-
fortunate enough TO he convicted.
I'm reply allow me TO say that in my
opinion this view OF the matter. which I
am bound to acknowledge is quite gener-
ally held. is a complete Misrepresentation
of the facts In the case. Courts and iuries
are constituted for the trial OF offenders.
They determine guilt and impose penal
ties IL your view of the matter we're
correct then | should review every case,
whether asked TO do so or Ia. and change
penalties imposed to suit Sly particular
notions OF Justice; l do not SO under
ecutiye officer, not a judicial one. lie Is
sworn to execute the laws as he finds
them, without fear or favor. He is given
the power Of pardon and Communication in
order that where there has been plain
miscarriage of justice. he may be able to
remedy the mistakes of the courts. In
the case of Webster no mistake has been
made ] have examined the evidence and
read the statements of those who ask
clemency. There IL not particle OF doubt
of his guilt. 1t was a most heinous crime.
His only defense, or the only defense
made for him N this time is that he was
under the influence of liquor, and there
fore not in a condition TO harbor sufi-
Gent malice 20 Constitute hts crime mHr-
der IN the first degree. You Will remem-
Der. however. that he declared to a Wit
ness before going 10 Aspiand's house that
he was going TO get even with some
Swedes' the murdered woman being Of
that nationality. In pursuance of this,
his expressed determination, he drank az
certain saloon, provided himself with
two bottles of whisky. pistol and bot
tie Of medicine supposed TO excite sexual
passion. and started out with the evident
intention OF laying unlaEvsni hands on Mrs.
Aspland or her daughters. This he at
tempted Being repulsed he killed the
woman. This Is, in short, history OF
the case
I'm my opinion there has been no mis-
carriage of justice In this case. When a
young man starts out prepared In this
manner to commit crime IL should be TN
derstood by all that he takes hts life in
his hands and when as a result he has
committed murder, he should suffer the
penalty imposed.
~ very much regret to notice that the
newspapers publish Webster's letters. thus
creating sympathy for him in the public
mind In my opinion 1t would be far bet
ter to remember the dying groans OF poor
Mrs Aspland, who died in protecting her
two Young daughters from the foul
designs OF a prospective thief and a muir
derer
.'My dear sir. | could not forgive my
self should l. by lessening the punishment
meted out BY the court to this man, de-
prive other mothers and other daughters
~ whatever protection the law may be
able 20 throw about them. ! am my dear
sir. very respectfully, your obedicnt seTv-
ant. y. X. RoGEhS, governor,