Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-03-21
UNUSUAL SITUATION N
!. I. STRIPLING's Case
Governor Brown Takes No Ae-
tion--T theoretically in Prison
But Really in Jail

A most unusual situSa;2n sEs developed
IN the case OF Thomas Edgar STRIPPING,
how in the JAIN at Columbus. Ca. and il
remains in the hands OF the prison COM
mission 10 determine whether or not he
win be turned to the penitentiary- Gov
crnor Brown. after consulting the attor-
ney general in regard TO the matter. de-
tiGed Thursday morning 10 take no action
IN the case at all.
At a conference Thursday morning be-
tween Governor Brown and 7. T. Miller.
counsel for Stripping the attitude OF the
governor in the case was that Stripiing's
appeal to the supreme court was immedi-
Ately thrown out when he escaped from
5an That at the present time he is the
oretically in the penitsntiary. despite the
fact that he Is in jail in Columbus. Ga.
That a governor OF the state Is not vested
with the power 20 take a man out OF the
penifenuary with the issuance Of
respite. consequently Il remains for the
prison commission 10 determine whether
CT not Stripping shah remain In the jail
II Columbus pending a hearing OF the
petition for his pardon. or whether he
yin return TO the penitentiary and don
fhe prison stripes
As soon as the decision Of Governor
Brown vas made known 70 him. Attorney
miller stated that he would endeavor TO
secure an Immediate hearing ON the Pc
tifion for a pardon before the prison COM
mission. Most OF the members OF the
prison commission are out Of the city.
and until that body assemblies and taxes
action on the case stripping win continue
In ms unique situation.
A great deal OF interest Is, being mani
tested an over the state inl the petition
TOR the pardon OF Stripping and a large
number OF additional names Of prominent
people have been secured Among 9TH
ers who have signed the petition is Rev
L. c. Hargett. who was the foreman OF
the grand jurr which indicted Stripping
IN Harris county. The following mem
hers OF the grand jury have also signed
the petition. according to Information
given out at the Office Of the prison CON-
mission Thursday morning by Flynn
Hargett. a former citizen Of Harris coufl-
=, who has been circulating the petition
IN this city; s J. Webster. James N.
Dunnaxan. W. Asksw. now mayor OF
ChluIey. J. RI Williams and others Mr..
Hargett also stated that several members
o. the jury which convicted Stripping at
TIE time OF the trial had signed the pc
tition for his pardon. but the names Of
these men viii not be given out. until
Ire hearing before the prison commission
i IN session Eleven members Of the
jury which sat in the case IA years ago
are alive. only one member. w b Butt.
having died since that time.
A. W Askew. one or the members Of
the grand jury. was in Atlanta Wednes-
day. ak which time he stated that the
people in Harris county were very much
interested in the petition and that they
were not being Influenced against the
pardon BY the letters OF Mrs. Nelson.
Formerly Mrs Wi4iam J. Cornett. wife
Of the man who vas killed
Before the latest development in the
ease Ii was stated that the prison COM
mission would hear the petition during
&c month Of April. but everything win
- done b. counsel. T. r Miller. and
ethers Interested IN the case 10 have the
hearing az the earliest possible date.