Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-03-07
ICOMMUNIcATED
WHO? WHO?

IL the dark recesses of the amphi.
theatre Of crime there Is nothing more
appalling than mnrder-isklDg that
which human ingenuity has so far been
unable to restore. Sitting in their lone-
some cells in the Virginia penitentisry
unconscious of their fats--and its
state that other people sre in-are Rich
ard Pines, Eugene Dorsey, Calvin John
son sDd Henry Snith, all sentenced to
be eiectrocuied on the 18th day of this
month for the murder Of Walter F.
Schultz, the Chicago artist, March 6,
1909, in or nesr Alexandra. These
four negroes appear little concerned
about their fats. Pines, Dorsey and
Johnson, 1t will be remembered, were
convicted on the states evidence OF
Henry Smith. They we're sentenced to
ole some weeks ago, tu! were respited
several times By Gov. Swanson, on &C.
couu. of pressure brought to bear by
those who believed that the man who
was made q partner with the state 10
ferreting out the resl criminal was the
chief scior 10 this horrible drama. The
last respile, just before Mr.. Swanson re.
tired from Office, was until March 18th.
IL the meantime Henry Smith is placed
on trial and refuses TO accept the prof
fered aid OF the conimOuweslth's att1r-
ney and prefers to stand on his merits OF
innocence OF any knowledge whatever OF
the crime. In his second confession be
acknowledged that Pines, Dorsey aud
Johnson had nothing whatever to do
with the murder and that be deliberately
lied when he gave his testimony for
which these three men are nearing the
electric chair. He also said be was in-
nocent. The jury could not see 1t that
way aud gave him death sentence, and
the Judge fixed the date at the same
time Of the other three. Judge Barley,
II will be remembered, 10 sentencing
Smith, gave utterance to the strongest
Language ever passed in death sent.
ehce, and 1t was commented upon by the
press of this end other ststss. Someone
has seen fit to apprizs Governor Mann
oi the fact that this perjurer and believed
to-be murderer is fit subject for execu.
tive clemency for the service be render.
ed the state. What was this service?
First. He said be was walking by an
slley on one cold and rainy night end at
the point Of q pistol was ''forced" to
"get bu1V" and assist in robbing the
lats W. F. Schultz by the other three
Dezroes.
Second. lie said be was "forced' to
help carry the druoken man to sn out of
the way place 10 order to escape detec.
tion.
Third. He ssid he was forced to stick
sharp instrument in the murdered mans
throat and leave him there perhaps for
the dogs to lick his liie's blood.
Fourth. He is sn object for clemency
because he now acknowledges that all
the above ststsments were lies aud he
himself is innocent of shedding mans
blood.
This indeed is a peculiar case. Govern.
or Mann has respited Smith until the
18Th to look into the matter.
When the dsy arrives be will face this
proposition: Here are three men doom.
ed to die on the unsupported evidence Of
the fourth aud the additional fact that the
three could not establish an slibi. He
will also come in contact with the lsst
confession OF the fourth mao, In which
the latter says bis, previous confe'-
sion was lie, made out Of whole cloth,
sud disclsIms any connection whatever,
himself, with the murder. What can the |
governor doY The blood OF the mur.
dered man cries from the earth for ven-
geauce and heait.stirred people OF this |
common gsslth want justice mttsd cu' to
the guilty without respect to petty |
jealousy which might 60 so far to sacri.
fee human life. 1t can be said that bot
for the fight made by ex-senator Lewis
q. Machen for Johnson, which, in faci,