Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1909-07-25
the OWEN CASE.

Inc stay OF the execution or X. II.
Owen. convicted OF murder. has at
tracted attention all over the State.
and We feel that n few words from
US would not be- out of place.
First. we would like To- caution our
citizens against any precipitate action.
and earnestly plead for the law to
take its course. While We have not
the records OF all our circuit courts
before us We think IL safe to state
that they would disclose that no one
in the State of Florida has ever had
melted out to him the extreme pen
atty Of the law without his case hav.
ing been presented to the supreme
court and passed upon by that tribu.
nal
In a letter in yesterdays Sun Mr..
Baker, one of the counsel for Owens,
places upon his attorneys himself
and Mr.. w. s. Broome) the sole re-
sponsibility for the suing out OF the
writ of error. which stopped the exc.
cution on last Friday.
After reading MIR. Bakers 4. er,
and considering the matter care, lily,
we are prepared To- say that no harsh
criticism should be made against
these attorneys. They were the APP
pointees of the court, representing an
insolvent defendant. II was their
duty under the law to accept the ap-
pointment and give the defendant the
benefit OF the entire law governing
such cases. II the law is defective,
they are not to blame for II. Instead
of censure. we feel that both Mr.
Baker and Mr.. Broome should be com.
mended for their fidelity to this un-
fortunate man.
We have heard OF some little
criticism and several misstatements
In reference to the conduct of one of
our most highly respected and esteem.
ed ministers. We are prepared to
say that the minister referred to has
acted perfectly conscientiously and
within the limits OF his ministerial
office. We know that he has never
held out to Owens the slightest hope
oil escape from the death penalty or
even that a respite would be granted
him. His ministrations have been
entirely OF a spiritual and Gospel ma.
ture. Believing that. this unfortu.
nate man was mentally and morally
deficient. he requested that thorough
investigation be made by proper au.
thOrities. Further than this. he has
not gone. One of the criticisms
brought against the Gospel ministry
is that II ministers to the rich and
well.tO-do. and neglects the unfortu.
nate. Certainly this Christian minis
ter should not he criticised for
preaching the Gospel to the Door
Several others have been interest.
ed I'm Owens behalf hut so far as
We know. all the efforts have been
directed along the same line. That is.
10 have a thorough Investigation as
10 the mans condition. and after that
was done let the law take its course
We have no Censurc whatever to
pass upon the Governor or the Par.
don Board, and believe that they act.
I'd conscientiously with the facts b..
fore them.
We again appeal 10 our citizens 10
abide the decision Of our courts. and
let the law take its course. feeling
satisfied that Justice will be dispensed.
and Justice should satisfy all
II is our opinion that owen will
he legally executed. for the action
OF his attorneys. We are advised by
an eminent lawyer who is in no way
Interested in the case. can accomplish
anything hut delay