The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1905-09-15
suRscRlPrloN RATES
COOPER CASE AGAIN.

(CON ~ CfN-- fN~f''F'
We do wish that the Cooper case
could be finally closed somehow, and
its agitation ended Isaac L. Cooper
convicted OF assasisnating ]. II. Bow
man, marshal OF Punta Gorda, has on
the very eve Of execution twice been
reprieved. The last time, Thursday,
s1st OF last month These reprieves
have wrought up considerable Feeling
in De Soto county, and threats OF me-
ting out summary punishment are
made. The Punta Gorda Herald says;
IlNo reasons, Of course have been
given for this reprieve granted Cooper
and the public is left to emagine that
they are of the same character as those
which influence Gov. Jennings to with
draw the death warrent in August Of
last year,
Those who are familiar with the
evid ence and are not moved by the
disgusting sentimentality character
istic Of the few who side with MUIR
.derers in their efforts to evade the
moose, cannot be convicted of Cooper's
ianocense by any official action that
may be taken, especially il it is based,
as is suspected, on affidavits utterly
untrustworthy. II they have even a
tendency to show that Cooper may be
innocent, why are they kept such a
profound secret and so clarfully with
held from the pub.i,ci
People do R6t hesitate to express
lbs, helieet. that the State authorities
are playing game having for its OBJ
feet the commutation of Cooper's SEN
tence, to be followed in year or two
by a full apd free pardon. And those
who are convicted by Cooper's guiltand
have in mind the pardon Of Sylvester
and OF Williams, to say nothing OF the
hund reds of murders committed and
no one punished for them, have lost
all faith in our State officials as an
agenct for the protection of human
life, and they propose hereafter to pro-
.ect themselves in that sure and sum
mary manner that admits OF no fool
ishness aud no delay These people
are greatly disappointed in Gov. Brow
ard. They had been assured Of better
things from him. They have been told
chat he had the nerve and courage to
do his duty regardless Of the clamor
and the threats OF criminals and their
friends. They were assured his strong
common sense and sagacity could not
be imposed upon and that he could be
relied upon to protect the people in
,their rights and theirIives.
Il is unfortunate for the State Board
of Pardons that all the evidence pro-
duced or the salient points thereof is
not made public, the afiidavits submit
ted to the board sent to the commun-
ity, where all parties are known, and
an investigation made before the board
acts. Secrecy in securing reprieves
and pardons is not satisfactory, and
opens the door for false and fraudu-
lent petition and afiidavits. The whole
business is too much Of a hidden nature
until the deed is done and public senti-
ment shocked by the announcement
taat pardon has been granted. This
7s not right, and both sides should have
= fair showing, and the whole proceed
ings be made public from the start to
finish.
While the Metropolis does not coin
eide with its Punta Gorda contempo-
rary fully in the above, the structures
contain much truth, and we publish
them In whole so that the readers of
the Metropolis may know what feeling
is continually being worked up by the
reprieving snd pardoning OF criminals,
and that without notice or knowledge
OF the people most interested. The
Tampa Tribune knocks out the plea
Of Cooper because Of the protection
and support Of his wife and children
by styingi
Col, Brady doubtlei did not tell the
State Pardoning Board that it was
proven by unimpeached testimony at
the trial Of Cooper that he had deserted
his wife and children aad refused to
contribute to their support for a long
period ;and, also that. at the time Of
his crime. be was living in IN open
etate Of adultery With another woman
AZ Ponta Gorda.--Jsuksonville Netre-
H.''.i< &nt,. sry y