The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-09
deterrent pun,shI1ent

to do so unless deterrent puntshI1ent
can be obtained.
1--WE all know how difficult it IS to
get convictions in murder cases. II
il said that something less than }
per cent OF our murderers are con
Nicted of murder in the first degree.
To have the sentences after such con-
v.ctions set aside for anything less
than manifest perversion OF justice
makes for a further disregard OF law
ami encourages the man OF criminal
intent 10 think that somehow lie Will
estape the full measure OF punish
iScnt.
Many Of our Southern states have
an appalling homicide rate Inter
ference by the executive branch or
the government can only serve TO
make this even worse than 1t Is Oar
judicial system IS on trial, and seems
almost t. have failed In our limo or
melting out justice. Its successfu! ef-
forts should not be inte-ferei with
Unless there are absolutely compelling
motives. II there are such, then me
community should not be taken into
the confidence of the executive. for
only thus can we hope to preserve
public respect for the law.
The language OF this article note
worthy. The second paragraph, In
deed. is a wonderfully good comment
on the present situation In this state
TIE CT ime for which Claude Alien has
merfted and received 'he death SEN
tence was no light one. We can, with
moderation. say that for this GRIN.
alone they deserve the sentence that
was imposed upon them BY how
much more then do they deserve mat
sentence. when to that crime Is added
that even greater one, the crime OF
bringing into mockery the courts OF
this Conlmonweal nay. the utter de-
fance of the State itself?
What man who is not carried away
by the sentimental plea OF mercy for
this young murderer. the plea that he
should be spared because he fired only
IN defense OF his father. plea that
in itself is false, can conceive how 1t
Will De for the good Of this State
its laws and citizens that the Cover
nor has sworn to uphold and protect
for Kim to pardon OF even commute
this sentence
This article says. further. Our Jul
diciai system is on trial and gems
almost TO have failed in our time o.
melting out justice. Its successful ef-
forts should not be interfered with
unless there are absolutely compelling
motives"
What arc the motives that should
compel a pardon or even Communication
in this case? Arc they motives based
on reasons set forth in petitions Ike
the one circulated here lately. or are
they perhaps. motives based on the
fact that the Aliens styled themselves
good Democrats in a stronghold OF
Republicans
These convicted men were given
fair trial in q place removed from the
scene Of their crime. after time had
elapsed. in which mems minds could
cool. and we're convicted. The Su-
preme Court OF Appeals Of this state.
3 body that has a proper regsrd for
the solemn obligations TO The peos'ls
Of this Commonwealth that they have
assumed. has refused to grant them
a new trial shall the Governor. then,
no owes his present position TO the
trust aud confidence Of the peopi Q.
violate that trust and confidence oy
following the example OF that re-
creant governor OF Tennessee who
parsoncd the slayers Of Senator Car
mack on the day after the Supreme
Court had refused to set aside the
sentence imposed upon the murder
srs lie has the powe.. yes. but, be-
fore God. he has not the right.
The Governor OF this state Tneriteo
the praise OF AL patriotic Virsinians
by the vigorous measures he took for
the prosecution OF the Aliens when
they brought a long career OF Op-
rrcssiou. iawicssncss and murder 70
So nttinE climax by that terrible
scene At Hilisviile. when. armed 20
the teeth. they rOdc into town. came
into court and IN cold blood took the
lives q that prcsumDtuous Common
weaith's attorney and that impudent
fudge. who had the audscity. the
tcmcrity 10 prosecute and 10 impose a
sentence on an Allen Ia direct den-
Arce 81 the boasf ard threat that
az Allen should never be JAILED.
That he ALL not fail in his duty,