The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-30

So far be judged, their trials were fairly
conducted. Great was the provocation for
severity, they seem to have been given all the
defense to which the law entities them The
fact that some were given lighter sentences than
others does not invalidate the heavier sentences
imposed.
Instead of censure Governor Mann deserves
the highest praise for his determined course
The friends of the Aliens cannot contend that
he has not heard patiently all the arguments
presented: that he has not given the most
earnest consideration 10 each phase of the case
The failure of the jury to give Sidna Allen
leader Of the gang, the full penalty of the law
the governor very rightly does not consider a
reason for setting aside the verdict or the Wythe
country court in the cases of Floyd and Claude
Allen In fact. his belief that the result of the
trial of Sdna plain and inexplicabe mis-
carriage of justice" confirms his view that the
sentences should be carried out
Execution Of two of the Aliens and conine-
nent of others in the penitentary for long
terms will break up group of lawless men
who have terrorized a section of the Virginia
mountains and whose career eliminated in the
most shocking act of outlawry in the records
Of Virginia The enforcement of the courts
sentences will vindicate the outraged law and
compel higher respect for Virginia justice
Baltimore Evening Sun.
The Aliens Pay the Penalty.
FLOYD and Claude Allen, father and son, have
paid in the electric chair at Richmond the pen
atty of their dastardly murder of the judge
and the prosecutor who had offended them by
enforcing the law against of their clan.
The Allen clan hardy stock of the mountains,
boasted of pnwer dating back many generations,
and recognizing no law save Gods and
own" will defy the laws of God and man no
longer.
Maudln sentimentaty was poweress TO save
these two men from paying the penalty of their
crimes Probably never before in the history
of Virginia such pressure brought upon
governor to defeat the ends of justice but Gov
error Mann knew that il his duty to up
hold the law, and he upheld it.
The appeal made that clemency should
have been shown to Floyd Allen because he was
old and that ii should be shown to Claude Allen
because he was young. The argument that
Governor Mann relentless in his enforce
ment of the law against the Aliens and that he
might have shown q little more sympathy for
them simply brings to mind the complete alb
senCe of sympathy in the hearts of the noun
taineers when they shot down without warn
ing the men who were serving the community
by administering Justice. The Aliens should
have thought of their families and the families
Of the Judge and the prosecutor before they
fred the fatal shots
1t should be a matter Of pride to all Nirginians
that their governor did not yield TO the cheap
arguments of sentimentality that were made to
bring about communication of the sentences of
the Aliens. The offense greater than that
of most murderers They had boasted of their
defiance of the law. They placed themselves
above society. They guilty not only OF
murder, but of treason to their States au-
thority.
They had said that they recognized no law
save Gods and own" Even under their
own code then, they have merely paid the an
Cient penalty of eye for an eye "a tooth for
tooth, and a life for life.-Washngton
Post