The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-11-02
I'M DANIEL AIDS
/ THE TWO ALIENS
Declares That They Are Vic
tins of Political
Intrigue.
TRIAL WAS NOT FAIR
In Sensational Statement Pastor
Says He Will Plead for
Clemency.

.Neither Floyd nor Claude Allen re.
| eeived . fair trial." declared the Rev
George ". Mcdaniel, religious adviser
Of the two condemned outlaws. last
night after q visit to the penttenti ary
.sIBOth men were the victims Of pOlfti.
cal intrigues. and neither was given
the fair treatment which the law pro-
viiies.''
The foregoing statement was made
by the minister in connection with the
report that he intended to exert his
influence to have the death sentences
OF the Aliens COMMITTED to life i'm
prisonment. He declared his belief
! -. the outlaws were deserving of ex-
ecutive clemency. He said he was
associated with no organization OF
people in his wish to see the death
sentence lifted from Floyd and Claude
Allen, but was working individually to
stir the community to a realization OF
the injustice which the Aliens have
received.
Young Claude Allen. particularly.
Jared badly at the hands Of the law
said Mr.. Mcdaniel. The sentiment Of
the community Immediately following
the tragedy was of such an infiamed
character that il was obviously impos-
sible that the accused men should re-
ceive anything like a fair trial. / In
sist that they were not given the full
benefits allotted by law to accused
men. Local politics was responsible
for the whole affair."
Asked for Ministers.
1t was not until Thursday that the
two mountaineers in murderers' row IN
the penitentiary indicated desire 1o1
spiritual consolation. their sole reli-
gious activity up to that time having
consisted of reading Bibles which Major
Wood. Superintendent of the Peniten-
tiary, had given to them. Thursday
however, botn Floyd and Claude, SEEM
ingly resigned to the death wn'ch the
law has fixed upon them. expressed
desire to see minister. asking par
ticularly for the Rev. J. J. Scherer,
pastor Of the First English Lutheran
Church, and the Rev. George w. Nc
Daniel, pastor of the First Baptist
Church. DIR. McDaniers statement was
issued after his first visit to the cells
OF the condemned men. when he hearo
the Aliens side Of the case.
1t is significant in this connection
that members of the Penitentiars
Board are interesting themselves IN
behalf Of the Aliens and seem likely
to ioin with DR.. Mcdaniel in request
though Sam Cohen and l. l. Scherer'
two members of the board, are avow-
edly opposed t. the execution OF Fioyo
and Claude Allen. the Pen!tentiary
Board has absolutely no voice in mat
tiers relating to pardons or co!nmuta-
lions. Communication of the Aliens SEN
fences rests entirely in the hands o,
Governor Mann.
All three If these nen-Scherer
Cohen and McDaniet-are one In de-
! clarinR that neither Of the two men are
of the criminal type, that both acted
| in what they thought was self proteo-
| ton. and that Claude especially did as
any Young man OF spirit would do IN
! springing to the help of his rather
Whatever action is taken by the mem
hers of the Penicentiary Board In this
| connection must be taken as pri'ate
| citizens -,
In the face of the rising Tide OF
sentiment. Governor Mann. in whose
hands rests the final disposition o.
F,oyd and Claude Allen. remains silent
Having faced without hinching ths
| flood of appeals that poured IN upon
hin, ,o save the life of Henry Clay
R..tt3e the Governor finds thas No ne"
eXnerience. 1t is believed that ne Is
convinced of his duty in respect "
! IN. condemned men. and 1t IS not l."
, vorable 10 the cause being plesseo'