The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-12-05
SEVEN HUNDRED
WORK TO SAVE HIM
Adopt Resolutions Asking Gov
ernor to Commute Prisoners
Sentence, and Vote to Have
Committee of % Appear
Before the Executive.

RICH MON VA.-Special.
Seven hundred or more of Rich
mond's most representative wo-
men gathered together in the au-
ditorium of the Richmond Hotel
yesterday afternoon Mt 4 o'clock
TO add their voices to the thou
sands of other appeals in behalf
of Claude Allen. The high char
acter of the aSSemblage Is beyond
question.
The meeting, which was held in
response TO a call from eight or
nine well known matrons who are
working i'm behalf of the misguid-
cd young man now under sem
tence OF death, was significant
not only i'm a numerical way, but
on account OF the earnestneSs of
purpose that marked the conduct
of those present.
There was nothing silly or sem
imental about IL. The gather
ing meant something more than
a sudden gust-ef historical SYM
pathy for n common lawbrealSer
whose hands are stained with hui
man blood.
Ii proved that thinking women,
as well as thinking men, are of
the opinion that the iron hand or
the law has borne too vigorously
on the young mountain "gunman"
who followed his father and his
uncle in the commission of q ter
riblc crime.
IL also proved that the pity for
Claude Allen is confined 10 no one
sex or class, and that the efforts
to procure n Communication of his
death sentence are based on a
sense of equity that Will not down
despite the sneers OF those who
oppose cIemency of any sort.
DIR. George w. Mcdaniel, pastor
of First Baptist Church, who has
worked so unseIhshly to save
Claude Allen from the electric
chair, was on hand to start the
women i'm a parliamentary way.
And later on, the meeting, with
out a dissenting voice, adopted
the resolutions which he prepared.
After the minister had called
the meeting to order, Miss Eliza
beth Cooke was selected as chair
man and Mrs. A. NJ. Tyler as sec
rotary. Then the Rev. DIR. j. Y.
Fair and the Rev. DR.. Mcdaniel
presented their pleas for a conn
mutation of CIaude'S sentence.
Judge w. +. Rhea, of the State
Corporation Commission, who IS
said TO favor cIemency in the case
of the Carroll gunman, was call
ed fon as his views of the case
were sought, but as he was not
present, there WAS no response.
Early i'm the meeting there was
heard from one Of the women
present the inquiry whether the
proposed resolutions included
Floyd Allen, the father of Claude,
in the petitions for clemency. In
81.
that those present were asking
mercy solely for Claude.
Only about four men were pres
ent at the meeting, which was
designed entirely a. an expression
of feminine sentiment, and hence
Dr. MCDANIEL suggested that all
the men retire so that the women
could act with perfect freedom.
The suggestion was acted upon
and the resolutions were read in
full, while those present were In.
vited TO sign them.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED,
The chairman was empowered
name a committee of twenty-five
present the resolutions and the De
tions to Governor Mann next Frio
morning.
Following are the resolutic
l. That we unreservedly CONNIE
the prompt and efficient action
Governor William Hodges Mann
re-establishing the court and re
sorting the law in Carroll county, q
in securing the arrest of all the d
ties charged with killing the office
2. That his course deserves
praise. and causes every loyal subj
of Virginia to feel just pride in {
chief executive.
dietary and laws OF Virginia, 6
pledge our support to the maint
ance Of their integrity.
that the ends of justice will be 81
served and the majesty of the
upheld by a Communication of ClaI
Aliens sentence.
5. That the execution OF this ySI
man, under all the circumgsanC
would be an irreparable wrong {
contrary to all that Is implied by
term executive clemency" and wo
cause the conscience of thousands
thoughtful, law-abiding citizens to
volt.
6. That we earnestly appeal to
sense OF Justice and the spirit
mercy in the mind and heart of
beloved Governor, and beseech j
to exercise the wise discretion ves
in him by the Constitution OF !
ginia. by which he can consider !
Hating circumstances reducing
degree OF punishment, that cannot
considered by the courts.