The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-04
win Checrfully In.erxx,ie.


II will cheerfully intercede in the
mans behalf If the citizens of Dan
willie request me to do so,' said Gov
ernor Mann Saturday morning. when
asked IL he would take any action In
the case of Police Chief r.. E. Morris
of Danyiiis. The executive expressed
the keensst sympathy for the unfor-
tunate man and his family. but said
Ii was a case In which he could only
take official action at the request of
the people of the city directly af-
facted.
Delegate w. Va Baker. of Chester
field. was In the Capitol Saturday
morning. Captain Baker stated that
he spent Friday In Dancille, and that
the town was thoroughly aroused In
the sad case. and that he heard moth
ing hut words OF commentator for
the arrested chief. and only the deep
est sympathy for the distressed fam
fly.
Captain Baker thinks that the en-
tire city will join TN a petition ask
Ing the governor of Georgia TO par
don the man. and is of the firm belief
that he confidence in the mans integ-
rity In so strong that he would GER
tainiy be offered position ON the po-
lice force. or perhaps something bet
ter.
NshpNhtu altN Wight va WIG t5poAh-
side police department. said Satur-
day morning that Chief Morris hal
made several official visits to the
: Southside ward and he had been
deeply impressed with the quiet un-
assuming demeanor of the panvillc
official Pleasant In his manner. cour-
teous even 10 prisoners. Chief Morris
left the impression with the South
side Official that his Danviile brother
policeman was n model officer.
- Capsasn Wright expressed has deep
sSyapathy for the afflicted family. en-
phasized the high regard he had AL
ways had for the chief and remarked
that he heard prominent citizen say
he would rather be Morris in the At
lanta jail than the free man who gave
the Information that led TO the officers
arrest.
1t lis extremely doubtful II any ar
rest ever occurred In Virginia that
hAs t:@usesi such widespread comment
as that of the dethroned Danville
policeman and certain II is that no
person arrested on SO serious charge
was ever given the spontaneous SYM
e. Morris or Thomas Edgar Stripping.
his real name.
Everywhere that men meet, whe-
Morris arrest will certainly be men
toned and In almost every case only
expressions OF sympathy are heard for
the officer and his family and denun-
citation for the man who gave the In
formation that led to the arrest.
1t Is safe to say that almost every
body wants to sec Morris pardoned by
the Georgia governor. They say that
the man having made good for ten
years. lived an honorable life and
been q good citizen, entities him to
every gift in the governors power
20 bestow and that Il Is a shame to
sec man punished who has thor
oughly repented and reformed.
They say that the good people of
Danviile having twice elected Morris
to the chief peace position of the
city and would have certainly con-
fsrred the honor upon him the third
time, but for the unlocked for oc-
currence which resulted In his arrest,
for Ii In not denied that he would
have again been elected chief OF
police 10 uncontrAdictory evidence OF
the confidence in which he was held
~ the people with whom he has liv-
"a for the past seven years.
Norris and his family were known
Al Richmond and Il II almost certain
! petition will be gotten up here ask
ing for tho mans pardon.