New-York tribune., 1909-03-23
MRS. FARMER MUST DIE.
GOrernOr Hughes Denies Erecutire
CLemeRcy-HiS Reasons.

Albany March 22-CIovernor Hughes announced
to-day that he had denied the application for ex-
ecutive clemency in the case of Mrs. Mary Farmer.
who is under sentence Of death at Auburn prison
for the murder Of Mrs. Sarah Brennan al Brown
vile, near Watertown. Mrs Farmer will he exc
cuted some time next week.
Mrs Farmer Will have been the second woman
20 10 the electric chair in this state Mrs Martha
Place. who put 10 death in Sing Sing prison
or March 20 1893, was the first be
executed in New York. Theodore Roosevelt
Governor az tnat time. and he declined TO in
terfere.
Governor Hughes. in denying the application for
executive clemency, which made by f. R.
Wilcox, Mrs Farmers counsel the ground that
the insane when she committed the
crime issued statement in which he gives his
reasons for 50 doing. He says:
In this case. as in other capital cases there are
those who ask for executive interference because
s - &c $50 f p 's lnIIrda I rbs e e ,- &
gree is punishable by death However important
70 the interests Of justice may be the exercise OF
ecutve has no right to use this power for the pur-
pose Of effecting practical repeal of the Law. It
ecati,e action. that Law of the state 10 mur-
der. as well other laws. is faithfully executed
As the prisoner is woman. there are those who
urge that capital punishment in such case is re
on the ground Of sex The Of the state regard
ing murder makes distinction between the sexes,
subject 10 the same penalty a man The law
should be impartially enforced
The Governor points out that the appeal for
ecutive clemsncy vas made on the ground that the
prisoner is insane, but that the differs from
which II IS asserted that insanity has super
vered since conviction. The plea Of INSANITY
made the trial. and the Governor says the dues-
tion fully and fairly itEated The Gov
quotes the laT defining the conditions under
which insanity IS a defence and continues:
Il = important for the protection Of society that
this should rot be obscured. ans that those
who deliberate murderers within this test
should be clearly understood depraved persons
ard so-caled degenerates who are nevertheless re-
sponsible under the Law. commit murder
with inpunity-
most careful examination Of the facts In this
ease leads to the conclusion that the conviction
just
The Court OF Appeals held that ''it vas clearly
deliberate and intentional act" and that the verdict
Of The jury to Mrs. Farmers responsibility was
sustained by the evidence. and Governor Hughes
quotes from the opinion OF the court that effect
The Governor says in closing:
Her conduct and statements since the conviction
confirm this conclusion. While since the conviction
the prisoner has claimed that the crime was com
mittec by another, and has sought TO explain how
II happened that Mrs BTennan's body
cealed in the prisoners trunk vet her statements
clearly show her fun appreciation Of the nature
and Nervousness Of the act by which Mrs. Brennan
met her death. and leave no room for question as
the prisoners responsibility II she herself
mitted the act. And that she guilty the
iGrl found and the Court Of Appeals has stated in
atiif ming the nnding was conclusyely established.