Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-14
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Executive Clemency in Case
Of Harry Bates.
NO HOPE FOR CHAPMAN
JUDGE MAGooN PROBABLY FOR
THE COURT OF CLAIMS.
Contributions to MI. Glover for Mar
Unique sufferers-some
of Today's Callers.
NO HOPE FOR CHAPMAN

The President has commuted the sentence
| Oh Harry w. Bates, who was convicted in
the Supreme Court of the District of CO.
| lrmbia of perjury and sentenced, on March
| 81 1902, to pay fine of $40 and to be i'm
| pr1soned for a year and day in the West
| Virginia pententary. This term, with
| good time allowance, will expire February
%, 1903. Bates will be free the last of this
| month.
Following is the report of Attorney Cen
! eral Knox on the case sent to the Presi-
dent few days ago: This petitioner was
convicted of perjury in making false state
| ments in a sworn application presented to
| the civil service commission, in order to
| obtain a position in the bureau OF engrav-
| ing and printing. He did obtain the posi-
| ton. and it subsequently developed that he
| had not had the training and experience
| which he claimed in his affidavit He was
| thereupon convicted and received the mini
| mum sentence of Imprisonment for one
| year in the penitentiary.
| This case was adversely reported by the
| district attorney and judge, and is reported
| to YOU because of your personal letter
| transmitting the petition and letters from
| certain prominent citizens of Washington
| praying for pardon in this case. While it
| clearly appears that there is no doubt of
| the petitioners guilt. yet account Of the
| very many MluR3l!nS anC eNt6nudtlnR CIR
| cumStanceS the jury. in rendering its YER
| dict prayed the court to suspend sentence.
| The court not feeling justified in granting
| this request. imposed the minimum penalty.
| The petition was presented to you by a
prominent citizen of Washington and in
| cludes an appeal signed by the Twelve jury
| men in the case.
THE facts in the case are somewhat pecu-
| liar and extra ordinary. 1t appears that the
petitioner. upon the strength of his false
| affidavit, was appointed plate printer in
! the bureau of engraving and printing.
| Within very short time he developed
great skill and rapidity in this line of work.
AS he worked on the piece plan, he re-
ceived compensation only for the work
which he actually performed. The govern
ment, therefore, lost nothing by his act. 1t
also appears that he made this affidavit in
| order to secure the position at time when
| he and his family We're in great distress,
| were in danger of being evicted for nom
payment of house rent and were suffering
| for the necessaries of life.
| In view of all the circumstances. and es-
| pecially in view of the recommendations of
citizens above referred to. who assure you
| that this man has always been honest and
| industrious. think this is a case in which
| clemency may well be exercised, and l
therefore recommend that his sentence be
commuted to expire May 81, 1892 upon
which date he will have served altogether
| in jail and the penitentiary five months
Chapman's Application to Be Denied.
| The President is now considering the ap
plication for communication to life imprison-
rnent of the sentence of Elijah Chapman
who was convicted of the murder of Ida
Simms in the District of Columbia January
| 1, 1902. and sentenced to be hanged week
from next Friday. 1t is believed that the
President will deny the application.
Rev. John Roberts, the colored evangelist,
who has been looking after the condemned
mans spiritual affairs, called on him at
the Jail this afternoon and informed him of
what had been done in the case. He was
told that he need expect no executive Glenn
ency. 1t is the opinion of the jail officials
that the death sentence will be executed
next week.
EIr Magoon for Court Of Claims.
Charles F. Magoon of Nebraska, law Of
ticer of the War Department, is strongly
considered by President Roosevelt for the
vacant position on the Court of Claims
bench, and there are some people who un-
derstand that Mr.. Magoon has been decided
upon by the chief executive. Mr.. Magoon
is said to be as strongly backed as any
candidate, and his chances are known to
rank with the best. Senators Millard and
Dietrich doing all they can for him. He
is also said to have the good wishes of Sec
retary Root
Representative Alexander of New York;
who was mentioned in New York and other
papers having been offered the place,
said at the White House today that the
retire from Congress, and would not accept
a judicial position if offered to him.
Senators Hanna and Foraker of Ohio
have been urging the nominate of d. X.
Watson of Ohio, former attorney general
of that state, and at present member of
the codifying commission.
Senator McLaurin of South Carolina is
not candidate for the judgeship.
The outlook is that the position will go to
either Mr. Magoon or Ex-Governor Atkin-
son Of West Virginia.
Howard Law School Graduation.
A committee from the law school of How
ard University called on the President to
invite him to deliver the diplomas to the
graduating class of the school On May 26
The President said that inasmuch as he
had been forced to decline similar invita-
tions from other Washington institutions
he would be unable to accept this one. The
committee was composed Of Theo. B. Green
and Lewis George Gregory. and they were
presented by John p. Green.
Senator Dollver asked the President to
appoint Stephen G. Garst as cadet in
the Naval Academy at Annapolis Young
Garst is son of Commander Garst OF the
navy and a grandson of the late Admiral
Quackenbush.
Representative Powers of Massachusetts,
introduced two young Englishmen. Messrs.
McDougall and Prout who are visiting in
this country.
Contributions " I'LL. 11OtCA.
Charles c. Glover, who was appointed by
the President to receive subscriptions for
the Martinique sufferers, went to the White
House this morning and accepted the trust.
Mr. Glover has already begun to receive
subscriptions. The first to arrive this morn
ing was substantial check from Attorney
General Knox.
Every committeeman appointed yester-
day by the President has wired his accept
ance to the White House.
Representative Adams of Pennsylvania
talked with the President about his bill to
reorganize the consular service. Mr.. Adams
Is using every influence to secure from the
House leaders date for consideration of
his measure, which is receiving hearty
support from commercial bodies and organ
izatfons all over the country.
A delegation representing Harvard chap
ter OF the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, now
in session here, called on the President to
request his attendance at the banquet to
be given Friday night. The President will
not be able to be present, but will send a
letter OF regret.