Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-08-21
THE WRIGHT CASE.

THE WRIGHT CASE.
Mr.. James E. Clements, OF the coun-
ty attorney for John Wright who WIS
in the city yesterday, was asked about
the complaint of certain persons touch
ing the delay in The Wright case, and
the expenses attending the keeping OF
the prisoner in Jail in Alexandria coun-
ty, and said
"Any criticism of Governor Swanson
about delay in deciding on the petition
for Communication is unjust, and IN order
to understand the situation | will give
you the facts about the case
'Wright was indicted tor assault on
Mabel RisIey, October Is, 1906, and
counsel was ass gued on October 70 to
defend him, and he gss tried on the Dist
of October. His trial (the trial OF a man
for his life) will go down in history as
the most hurriedly and hastily conduct
ed one on record. Judge Nicol, sitting
until 2 O'Clock in the morning on the
second day of the trisl in order to con-
clude the case, sentenced the prisoner
at that late hour to be hung on Decem-
Der IA, 1906, and without allowing any
time whatever to prisoners counsel to
argue a motion for a new trial, or pre-
sent any new and after discovered evil
dence. And on the eleventh day OF
December, 1906, Ohree days before
Wright was to be hung the Su-
prsme Court of Appeals OF Virginia Is
sued Il supersedeas and stay Of proceed
ings and kept the case In that court
under its consideration until March IA,
1907 when, by divided court OF . 10
9 they refused a new trial, and on
March %, 1907, as attorney for Wright
| fled a petition for a rehearing OF the
case in the Supreme Court of Virginia,
and a rehearing was refused on March
9th by the same divided Court, to z.
Afterwards the prisoner was resentenced
BY Judge Barley (without any other trial,
of courst) to be hung on the 3lst of May,
1907. and it was then (about 80 days
aeo) that Governor Swanson first became
officially connected with the case, and re-
prieyed the prisoner until August 3Osli,
1907. There is nothing unusual about
this and the time Of extension OF ninety
days is hat invariably taken by Gov
ernor in order to give the important
matter of communication OF the death set
tence proper consideration aud invesil-
cation, and there is no ground whatever
for any criticism in the matter. 1t should
be remembered that the Governor Is
yery busy man and has been ever since
the opening of the jamestown Expo
sitiou, and many public and important
duties are pressing upon him."
In regard to the expense Of keeping
Wright 10 Jail, Mr.. Clements said;
Several papers in, Washington and one
in Virginia have lately published the erro-
Moons statement that the cost Of mainlslnlng
he isoner in the Alexandria county Jail is
$50 per month, and the purpose evidently
seems 10 be to prejudice the minds OF the
peopIe aud taxpayers in the county against
" Inc charge for keeping and supporting
prisoner in Jail in Virginia is clearly hxeu
nv statute not to exceed 40c day, and J,
there are ten prisoners in jail not to exceed
SOC day. (See section 505z oil Tue eo"e VI
Virgnia.) u.u,
"And it is further provided by law that th'
tailor. when ordered by the court to do SO, o.
II is in his own opinion nece sary for the sale
keeping of the prisoner, shall summon sui
feieut guard, and the Circuit Court may al
low therefor so much as it deems proper no
To exceed 81. 90 per day FOR each man. (Se'
section NJ of the code of Virginia.
"And section 407S Of said code provide
that the Circuit Court before certifying an,
allowance shall inquire into the condition
the Jail: if it appears that guard was nee nee,
essary. because Of the insecurity Of the jan
IL shall order the allowance paid out oil tht
county levy, but if otherwise and the guarc
was necessary, the allowance is paid from tai
State treasury. .ru.
80 that $l.OO a day for a guard If tn
court held the same TO be actually necessary
and 4Oc a day or $l2 month for maintenance
or total Of $40 a month, is the outside @
what the cost OF the prisoner should prop
1.-THE iail in Alexandria county is a bran'
new modern jil-building, with powerful stee
cages and cells, and known to be perfectly Sc
cure. AZ d an extra guard for John Wright
under the law Of Virginia. was entirely IN
necessary. and therefore the total cost OF SUI
portinga prisoner in Jail should not excee
$40 per month. If any such charge as SD
ner month has been made. it is contrary !
law and the statutes of Virginia and l W!
investigate il and, if true, lay IT before III
court and grand jury of Alexandria county