The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-08-11
Fifth Page

proves that the infection of the death penalty does
not deter the commission Of crime
Probably the public execution of Isham Ed
wards and his being sent from tho gallows direct
to heaven. according to his statement, has done
more to encourage the commission or crime ih
Leon County than will the quiet incarceration OF
Caldwell and Larkins for lifo In the convict camps
III later developments should show conclusively
their guilt they will have been sufficiently punish
ed for the crime. IL they had been executed ana
subsequent events had shown that thy are limo
cent the Governor and the board might suffer
many an unquiet night Tor having consented to
inhict the death penalty In case where the evil
dence was not conclusive enough to place their
guilt beyond reasonable doubt"
The appended correspondence will show some
of the interesting processes which delay justice.
They relate to the case of Noble Collins, who is
under sentence of death In Lake County, and for
whom death warrant was issued and withdrawn.
Ocala, Fla, August 3rd, 1906
His Excellcncy, N. B. Broward. Governor
Tallahassee, Fla.
My Dear Sr--I beg to call your attention to tho
fact that a convict by name Noble Collins" now
In jail at Tavares, Lake County, Florida, under
death sentence for murder, has been there for
many months.
am advised that execution was suspended to
allow petition to be presented asking for com
mutation to life imprisonment, one that would
have been proper II the Jury had understood that
less than the whole could have made q recommen
dalton for mercy. 1t Is a hardship and great
burden on the people Of that county that the mat
ter remains without action do not know who
Is responsible, but some one Is guilty Of most cul
pable negligence, and the people have asked me
to do what I could In the matter. know OF moth
Ing but to call your attention to the situation, that
you may take such course as seems advisable, for
am persuaded that you are not acquainted with
the facts.
l have the honor to be. with very great respect
Yours very truly W. 8 BULLOCK.
August A, 1906.
Judge, w. s. Bullock, .
Ocala, Fla. a
Dear Sr-The Governor has referred to me
your letter OF the 3rd. inst. making inquiry as to
the causes of the delay In the Noble Collins case,
and beg to.advise you as follows: a -
On Feb. 9Th. 1906, stay of execution was
granted In this case by the Governor upon re-
ceipt OF an urgent letter from Mr. Alfred st. Clair
Abrams, copy OF which enclose.
You will note that Mr.. Abrams states in his let
ter that ten members of the jury that tried Col
Inns we're In favor OF recommendation to mercy
and would have so voted II they had been advised
by the court that such recommendation could be
made by majority Of their number, and Mr..
Abrams was strongly OF the opinion that sucn
fact should entitle tho said Collins to commuta-
ton to life imprisonment, and you will also note
that Mr.. Abrams says: III you and the rest OF
the pardoning board should agree with me In this
matter will at once send you full particulars in
the case az certified by the jury itself"
In accordance with the request OF said letter
the execution of said Collins was suspended
After securing this stay Mr.. Abrams dropped
the matter and has failed to forward any proof of
the matters stated In his letter or otherwise place
the Board OF PardODs in possession Of facts upon
which action could be taken, although have
written him three letters requesting such infor
nation, the last letter being written June 4th,
1906.
Finally deciding that Mr.. Abrams did not intend
to take any action as he would not even acknow!.
rncQDt lnffqrq 4 WrOt I,tIt Qpd
1905, to Mr.. T. B. Laner stating thu facts in the
case and asking him that he furnish me with the
necessary proof to lay before the Board OF Par
dons
: Mr.. Lanier promptly replied enclosing state
ment OF the facts copy OF Indictment etc. but
had to return the papers to him to get the sigma
ture OF majority Of the Jury and also ne
tition from Noble Collins himself
Mr.. Lanier telegraphed me that he was called
away by the illness OF q relative, but az soon as
pers. -
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