The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-02
FINAL PLEAS FOR MRS. ROGERS
URGENT APPEALS TO GOV. BELL
TO- GRANT A REPRIEFE.
The sheriff and Deputies OF windsor County
Join In the Request and the Governor
Tells Them They May Resign W
They visible WIN Decide To-day.

Tells Them They Mny Resign "
They Visible WIN Decide To-day
MONTPELIER. Vt, Feb. lin the parlors
Of the Pavilion Hotel this afternoon
Gov. Bell gave hearing TO T. w Maloney
of Rutland, F. b. Flynn Of Springfield and
the Rev. Father Delany Of Windsor, repre-
senting the Sheriff and deputy sherihs
of Windsor county. Chaplain Fuller and
others on petitions praying for reprieve
of the death sentence of Mrs. Mary Rogers
sentenced TO be hanged on Friday. until
the case can properly be brought before
the Supreme Court. Attorney General c. c.
Fits Of Brattleboro represented the State
at this hearing. The Governor will decide
to-day.
SO hard and long did the Windsor county
sherifs plead for postponement OF the
death sentence that Gov. Bell finally eI-
claimed:
AS to you, gentlemen, II any of you
wish TO resign your commissions as eherihs
your designations will be received"
Not one awaited himself Of the Governors
offer at that time. One reason urged upon
the Governor this afternoon for granting
reprieve was the fact that Leon Perhnrl,
the acoomplice Of Mrs. Rogers in the muir
der of Marcus Rogers, has just confessed
TO two of the deputy Sherfs that some
of his testimony at the murder trial. when
the woman was convicted, was perjured.
/ He said that he lied about some features
OF the case in order TO save his own neck.
He did not go into details. Perham IA
serving life sentence at Windsor for his
part in the crime The sherins, Attorney
Maoney and Mrs. W. j. Bliokensderfer
all urged the Governor to-day to grant a
reprieve in order that tho statements of
Perham max be investigated.
Mr.. Malobey first read a petition from
Mrs. Rogers herself, dated yesterday, asking
for reprieve on the ground that she was
entitled TO n new trial. Mr.. Maloney said
new evidence can be produced showing
that there was insanity in Mrs Rogers
family. When she committed the crime.
he said, she was less than 20 years old and
pregnant and that this alone would war
rant a jury in saying that she was not re-
sponsible for her act. The records of the
trial in Bennington County Court, he said,
have never been before the Supreme Court
for review and justice required that this
be done before Mrs. Rogers ia hanged.
f. B, Flynn of Springfield presented the
petition of Sheriff Peck and his sherfs OF
Windsor county asking for n reprieve
These officers said that they understood
II to be their duty TO carry into effect the
sentence of death, and from that they do
not shrink. but although officers. they are
aso men and citizens OF Vermont, and,
therefore, unsolicited by any cue, they
presented the petition so that Mrs. Rogers
counsel might again have opportunity 20
present her case TO the highest tribunal
FLYNN also told Of his interview last night
De- IN uslt nh Dnrh told i'm
in the presence Of Deputy Sheriff Lowell
and Prison Superintendent f. W. Cakes, |
that he lied in the county court when he !
swore that Mrs. Rogers administered the !
choroform TO her husband and struck |
the blow that finished him.
State Prison Chaplain Rev J. X. Fuller |
told the Governor that Mrs. Rogers's case
ought 10 appeal to a mans heart whether
be be Governor, officer or private citizen.
John n Senter of Montpelier said he APP
peared in the interest Of humanity.
Father C. G.. Delaney of Windsor said |
he came to plead for justice for ono who |
had been unjustly convicted. He said he /
had recently travelled extensively through I
the State and had scarcely found a man |
who did not express the hope that Gov
Bell would grant a reprieve. EN-Lieut- |
Gov Stanton of RoXbury said ne could not .
see how any harm could come TO any one I
if reprieve il granted in order that the
case may he properly brought before the |
Supreme Court
Replying 10 these arguments. Attorney
General C. c. Fits Of Brattleboro said:
The law Of the State OF Vermont makes |
a conviction Of murder in the first degree !
punishable by death, and this law you are /
bound TO see enforced. | am frank TO say
in behalf Of the State that If il appears TO |
your Excellency that there il a substantial
doubt IN regard TO the guilt Of this woman
| would recommend a repneye, but no !
such evidence has been submitted
If thcs, petitioners can satisfy the SUI /
preme Court Of Vermont that Mrs. Rogers /
was not guilty Of the crime for which she /
was convicted there ought 10 be reprievc. /
but urge upon you that it is not the prov
nce Of the Chief Executive 10 attempt 20 |
change the policy Of the State. Mrs. Rogers
had counsel of her own selection and her /
counsel cross examined this man Per-
ham The evidence for the state outside /
Of Perham's was strong and conclusive and !
corroborated Perham's story. Justice de-
mands that the law should take its course
The people have the right to ask that tho
laws they make shall be carried out
Gov Bell said.
Il will give Mr.. Maoney an answer to his
petition at Waterbury tomorrow afternoon
at o'clock.
The action Of the Sherifs in going 10
Montpelier TO plead for the condemned
woman il believed 10 b. due 10 the fact that
they have lost their nerve Sheriff Peck
says il is n shame and disgrace TO put the
woman to death, and that If he does so II
will be- under protest
II IL understood now that Sheriff Peck
will not spring the trap, but viii order
Deputy Sheriff " 5 Lowell to do II