The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-11-24
GREATEST EFFORT
HISTORY Of STATE.
TO SAVE CLAUDE
More Discussion of Situation
Than Was Had Over
Cluverius
WOMEN DECIDE TO
GET IN THE FIGHT
Issue Call for Meeting at
Hotel Richmond and Will
Use Every Effort to
Save Life

Probably never before In the history
OF Virginia has there been such
concerted effort and combined infiu-
ence put forth to secure executive
ciemency as in the case of Claude Al
len, now under sentence of death for
his part In the Hillsville tragedy.
which on last March i4th resulted
In the killing of the judge OF the court,
the sheriff. the Commonwealth at
torney, one OF the jurors, one OK the
witnesses, the serious wounding OF the
clerk of the court and of several 9TH
er jurors.
Throughout the State the question
OF what action viii be taken by Gov
ernor Mann on the petitions for
ciemency IL the general topic OF con-
xersation Not even when Cluserius
wsx waiting in his death cell for the
.rsssage of Communication from Gov
e-nor Lee and when serious 'Ques-
.ien of doubt as to his guilt Of the
murder of his pretty cousin. Aiss
Nadtson. existed. WAS there mere
general discussion OF the case than
there now lA OF that OF Claude Alien,
whose participation in the tragedy for
which he and his father stand con-
demned Is not In dispute,
Interest EyCryv here.
Traselins men out OF Richmond.
who visit alf or the eGrners and out
of-the-way places, sa1 that this III
terest extends to even the most remote
sections In villages. hamiets. cross
reads and farmhouses the stranger
ID sNk, ri Se "a ok q
the fight that Ia being made for the
life Of the young man
The most tremendous pressure u
balng brought 10 bear on Governor
Mann and the petitions thai viii be
presented to him on next Friday
will contain the names OF thousands.
High State officials and close political
and personal friends Of the governor
are urging ciemercy upon him ana
that this Il having III eject u gen
orally believed.
Women Are Active.
Yesterday the nucleus of an organ
ixattan Of women, who will lend their
aid in the aght for ciernency, was
formed Ten OF the prominent wo-
men OF the town yesterday issued a
cali for meeting to be held In the
H4tef Richmond next Tuesday at
which all of the women Of the city
faeoring ciemcncy for Claude Alien
ar. invited to he present
Following is the call:
Whereas, the execution of Claude
Alien Is set for December 18th. and
Whereas. his excellency. Governor
William Hodges Mann, has snntued
his willingness 10 hear appeals TOR
communication OF this sentence from
death to imprisonment. and
whereas. we fell that Justice does
not REQUIRE the death OF this young
man for defending his father. ana
that a less severe penalty in his case
would upheld the majesty OF the law
and meet the approval of the pubic
conscience,
Therefore, we. the undersigned.
earnestly urge the women of Rich
mond who favor executive clemency
for Claude Alien. to meet Ii, the new
auditorium of the Richmond hotel,
Ninth and Grace streets. Tuesday.
November rs. 1912. AT 4 o'clnek.
We furthermore respectfully request
the ministers Of the various churches,
who can consistently do so, to an
nounce this meeting to their congre-
eatsors at both services On Sunday.
MRS. L. r. DASiIELI4.
MRS. ROBERT s. KOSHER.
MRS LIrCIAN TATUM.
MRS. EVAN A. CHESTERMAN, :
MRS. ]. r. wINGF1ELD.
MRS. j. NJ. ATKINSON.
MRS. l. r. MORRIS.
Mis- SAMUEL COHEN.
MRS. JOHN 8. HARDWOOD,
MRS VIM r. RHEA,
A Call TO Prayer.
DIR. George W. MCDANIEL: pastor OF
FIRST Baptist church. who has taken
= most active part In the fight to save
Claude Allen and has been the leader
OF the forces at work In his behalf,
continues hts efforts and yesterday Is
sbed the following pCaii. TO sFrayef"::'IE
Every law abiding citizen respects
the integrity % r." courts. and be-
ffe--aA i,,St ~ asas.ss ras2s -
maintained at all hazards. However.
the founders or this government,
knowing that the functions OF the
courts would necessarily have to be
exercised by human beings. decided
thai ere the life OF one OK our citizens
should be taken away. that such cHi-
xen should have the right TO appeal
Is one man who stood as the FIRST
citizen OF the commonwealth, and
wha should be far removed from all
local influence. and In the spirit OF
our Master, temper justice with
mercy. I'M
..Thc appeal OF. Claude Allen for
communication will go before his ex-
cellency On Friday next. The gov
crnor can take cognixance Of the
spirit Of the law while the court may
cunflne itself to the letter Further
more. the governor may commute
Inc sentence Of q guilty man upon
the ground Of sound public policy. It
ID 4 great power for one man to hold
in~ his hand that priceless thing
human life 1t ID also tremendous
responsibility Any one acquainted
with Governor Mann knows he realizes
the solemnity of his situation. and
that he will act cousclentiously. Those
who declare his mind IL uncharye-
ably made up that Claude Allen shall
die, do him an injusatca. They do not
appreciate his semi judicial position.
He would hardly reach m unaiterahle
decision until he had neard the last
(Csnsinusd on saccpd PaEc.l