The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-07
Tnn ALLlsNs ,rusr pln.

The last word has been said in the
cases OF Floyd and Claude Allen Their
nnal appeal has been denied they must
die in cxpation Of 81 crime possibly
without parallel Tried and found
guilty by juries Of their peers in ac-
cordance with the law OF tho land.
In vain they sought alteration OF judg
ment from tho highest court OF the
state and OF the United States. and
now Governor Mann. after the fullest
consideration. has declined to exercise
his extraordinary power of clemency
In behalf of tho doomed father and
SON
The very foundations upon which
society rests FOR its protection and
safety have been threatened and would
be weakened and endangered If l
yielded 10 that sentiment OF mercy
which would extend clcmoncv TO Flovd
and Claude Allen nj tho expense OF JUS
tice TO tho State and protection to its
citizens" Governor Mann declares at
the conclusion OF n forceful statement
The Judgment of Governor Mann is
affirmed by all citizens who would
maintain tho law and uphold Justice
There WAS no reason whv hc should
Interfere with tho vcrdicts or the
turies, the judgments of tho trial
courts and tho deliberate decision of
the Supreme Court of Appeals. twice
delivered: lie was right i'm declining to
exercise his prcroEativc. which, ms he
says, must &c used not 10 de-
feat justice. hut 10 promote it, II is
10 be doubted whether greater or moro
respectable pressure was ever hrought
on the Governor OF state to influence
him TO mitigate death PENALTY. but
Governor Mann has boon obediont to
his oath 10 support the Constitution
and faithfully and impartially to dis
charge his duty.
Tho Times Dispatch commends, as il
believes tho people OF virginia will
commend. the Governor for hts refusal
10 be moved h. tho argument that.
since Sidna Allen was not found equal
" guilty with Claude and Flovd Allen
the two latter should not die Gov
crnor Mann cuts to pieces that conten-
ton by replying that tho verdict in
tho case OF Sidna Allen was "a plain
and inexplicablo mIscarriape of JUS
tice." The failure Of ono Jury 10 do
Its duty is no reason for undolng the
vcrdicts OF two jurics that have done
'iicir duty. Were the principle other
Wise. criminal laws would not be worth
the putting on paper
Tho facts have disproved the CON
uttered In behalf OF Floyd ana Claude
Allen. The truth OF the case has been
twisted and torn so as wrongfulIv to
excite the syinpathies and enlist the
support OF thousands of good citizens
Fact and falsehood have been so in
tcrwoven that a multitude have been
1nislcd; there has. indeed. been Ia
Incntablc ignorance" OF tie merits OF
the cases. Governor Mann has sur
>eyci the whole field OF fact: he has
investigated. both ctidoncc and hear
ray, yet he finds nothing that should
uverturn tho judgments lie has
svailed himself of every possible
source OF information. but lie has dis
covered no reason for showing mercy
10 them who showed no mercy
Were "a million hearts to beat with
sympathy for these two mon who.
with their kin and kind. slaughtered
four innocent men in cold blood. with
out reason and wiped out n court Of
justice, that sympathy should have no
weight with him who administers the
law. The satisfaction or SYMPATHY
matters not beside tho nvoeer,.atf,,, of