The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-01-28
SOME NORTHERN ADVICE
Letter From Northwest Calls Our Law
a Disgrace to Civilization
NO RECORD OF THE CASE YET RECEIVED
The Four Men, Two White and Two Colored,
TO Die February 26'h Newspaper In
tervieW With Mr.. Alexander
the Intended Victim.

The Governor assuredly does not lack
advice in the matter of the two white
r,en and two negroes under sentence CT
Death at Asheville for burglary and at
tempted murder. Letters are coming to
Ills EXcellency every day, some asking
that he pardon the desperadoes, others
urging him not to exercise his right Of
executive clemency.
Some of these letters come from North
ern individuals who are much disturbed
burglary With attempt at murder a CAPT
tel offense. Some of these letters are
anonymous. One from an Indiana town
was signed "'Observer, Box 20" The Gov
crnor replied 10 this Indiana guardian OF
North Carolina morals that if the writer
wanted to give him.. tthe Governor). ad-
vice, he would have 10 sign his name.
Another %virtuousIy indignant writer from
the Northwest, either Illinois or Indiana.
unhesitatingly and naturally without fear
or favor, at the distance that he was re-
moved. informed Governor AyCock in no
III measured terms that the law was a
'GiSgrdce to civilization" This franknesS
is really refreshing, quite as much so as
the freshness is delicious to a jaded
mind.
But the Governor merely smiled when
talking of these letters yesterday, and
said that he regarded it as an excellent
sign OF our development that We no lon
gtr notice Northern criticism, but remain
perfectly self-contained in the even tenor
of our way.
No ofcial record of the case has yet
been received by the Governor, but there
seems to be doubt that one will te be-
fore long.
There are only four States in the Union
where burglary is a capital olfense. and
consequently this case is attracting wide
attention.
The crime was committed about a year
ago at Emma, BuncOmbe count The
convicted men entered the pOstoffice
there for the purpose Of robbery, hold
ing up the assistant postmaster. MIR. S.
II. Alexander. He resisted them, and
they shot him, inficting a wound which
came near resulting in his Death. The
four men We1e convicted of burglary in
the first degree. On appeal, the Supreme
court affirmed the decision of the lower
court.
Many people have urgea~AIr. Alexander
10 ask the Governor to ommut the sen
tcH"e. but he has so far refused to do
50, Saying. in n newspaper interview:
The robbers entered the store pre-
l&rcI and resolved. as their subsequent
actions proved, tC Kill NE in case | re
sisted. NJ mind is made up in regard
to the matter. | Will sign no petitions
either in favor of or against the men.
They committed Il crime which is pun
ishabIe in this State by death. They
have been tried by a fair jury and sen
fenced by an honorable judge. They have
appealed TO the highest court in the
State and the judgment of the lower
court, that they must die, has been con
frmcd.
The laws were made by the Legis-
lature and while they stand must be
carried out. The only chance now
open to the men is executive clemency
but l Shall not move in the matter either
way.
II I'M sorry from the bottom of my
heart for these depraved criminals, bU'
they nave brought their fate on them
selves and must suffer for their crime