The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-23
GOV. .BROWNDEN|ES
 STR|PL|NG'S PLEA
The Danville Chief Must Go
 to Jail
AFTER IA YEARS TIME
Georgian Who Escaped and Became Prominent Officer in Virginia Must Serve Time in the
 Penitentiary

Atlanta, April 22.--In denying the appli- cation for pardon filed by Thomas Edgar Stripling, former chief of police of Dan vile, Va, under sentence of life impris- onment for the murder of William J. Cor nett, Governor Brown in review Of the case made public tonight, excoriates the "unwritten law which Stripling plead in justification of his act as a euphemism presenting, when unmasked, "the hideous feature of anarchy
 Expressing profound sympathy for the family of the defendant, his wife and 10 children, and deep regret that he feels impelled to deny clemency under his oath and the law, Governor Brown today denied the application of Thomas Edgar Stripling for pardon, in the face of the unanimous recommendation from the state prison commission that he be given his freedom.
 Governor Brown, in refusing clemency to Stripling, goes deeply into the details of the case, analysing the evidence and pre- senting and dealing with all of it's ma terial points.
 He considers that Stripling was guilty of the crime of which he was convicted, and that under all the circumstances the yer dict of the jury, condemning him to life Imprisonment, was a just one.
 The governor does not see that any ma terial new evidence has been brought to light in Stripling's favor; he found before him no important facts that did not go before the jury at the trial. He calls attention to the fact that there is no 'unwritten law in Georgia, and that un- der his oath he cannot recognize it. With regard to the alleged insults to his wife and sister, all this was before the courts, and Governor Brown says it is not for him to say that both the superior and the su- preme courts were wrong.
 The governor characterizes the manner In which Stripling shot down William J. Cornett as the act rather of a coward than that of a brave man seeking to avenge an insult. It will be recalled that, according to the evidence Stripling, who had been seen with Cornett during the day, went the same night to his home about Il o'clock and shot him through an open window as he was undressing to go to bed.
 The Striplng case has become a cause celebre i'll Georgia since the unfortunate chief of police of Danville, Va, was dis covered and report brought back to Geor- gia that he was living there under the name of R. B. Morris.
 Stripling escaped from Harris county jail in 1897, and the discovery came IA years after his conviction and the imposi- ton of a life sentence. He escaped from the jail just before the time at which he was to be transferred to the penitentiary.
 He went to Danville, where as R. E. Morris he acted first as a railroad detec- tive, doing good work This led to his selection as chief of police of Danville, an office which he held for 10 years until his arrest and return to Georgia. He was a strong prohibitionist, and for this reason was involved in politics and had num- erous enemies of the other persuasion, who rejoiced at his downfall
 Governor Brown discussed his good rec ord since his escape, but also points out the fact that he has killed two men, which, even if justiable, he. considers evil dence of impetuous and homicdal ten dency.
 Stripling has been held in jail at Co., lumbus since his return to Georgia, no effort being made to place him in the penitentiary until after the prison com mission and the governor could act on his case.
 The prison commission, following a lengthy and detailed hearing and strenu- ous arguments from attorneys on both sides, unanimously recommended his paf- don.
 Now that Governor Brown has taken different view, Stripling will have to go to the penitentiary, and as this decision is final, he will be placed at once, probably at the state prison farm, as it is said his physical condition is such that he cannot do hard labor on the roads.
 Of course, further efforts will be made by Stripling to secure his freedom when a new governor comes in, and as the prison commission is favorable, it will be only question of the view the next gov ernor takes Of the case