Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-04-09
~ INE BLUFF
- ROGRESS
ROSPERITY
GLYNN AND THE "GUNMEN.

Governor Glynn of New York has
refused to reprieve or commute the
sentence of the four gunner convict
ed and sentenced to death for the
murder of Herman Rosenthal, a
gambler. Doubtless the New York
executive will be censured by some
for his attitude, but he deserves
instead commentator for the courage
displayed in the discharge OF what he
believes is his conscientious duty.
The gunner were given fair and
impartial trial before Justice Goff,
one of the best judges in the state.
Their case was appealed and the YER
dict sustained. The only reason adj
vanced for the extension of clemency
to the condemned men is that Police
Lieutenant Becker, also convicted fo4
completely in the murder of Rosen-
thai, has been granted new trial.
This argument is fully met in a
statement made by Justice Golf in a
letter to Governor Glynn:
Justice Golf wrote:
AS near as absolute certainty can
be attained by human means in hui
man tribunal was attained when
these four men were convicted OF
murder, the conviction has been un-
animously affirmed by the court OF
last resort.
1t was proven that these men did
not even know Rosentnal, that they
were hired to murder him, that they
did murder him and that the only mo-
tive which could actua.e them was to
earn their pay. Their guilt, there
fore, did not in any manner depend
on the prior conviction of Becker,
who, it is claimed, through his agents
hired them, nor would it be affected
if the identity of Becker never had
been discovered
This should be sufficient to justify
the New York governors refusal to
interfere in the carrying out of the
laws decree.
1t is just because so many eXecu-
tives lack the courage OF Governor
G4ynn that human life is held SO
cheaply by the gunman and the pistol
toter. 1t is unnecessary to go beyond
the limits of Arkansas to find in
stances wher alen have been convict
ed of murder, sentenced to die, their
sentences committed and shortly after
ward pardoned by the governor; they
are free again to take up the gun;
free to Stay upon the slightest provo
cation. And who is it will say that the
l. 10
and escaped severe punishment Will
not be as quick to again murder?
The Graphic believes the pardon
ing power should not be placed III
the hands of one man; 1t places 100
great burden on one person. The
Graphic also believes that we should
be slow to Judge, and that we should
be charitable, but there's would be less
human blood spilled; fewer bullet
made widows and orphans If 1t were
generally realized that the law would
inflc't the penalty prescribed, and
that there is no escape from this
penalty.
Another phase of the New YORK
case that makes execution of the gun
men all the more pitiable, is tha-
none of these boys had ever beto
been implicated in any serious crime
Their worst offence, previous 10 the
Rosenthal murder, was petty larceny.
Each one is the child of parents VINO
are respected, though poor. Each one
may attribute his predicament to
"bad company" Their fate should
prove a lesson that ought to be taken
to heart by every youth, every yorng
man, everybody. For anyone may get
into a bad crowd at some time, but
the wise will get out as quickly as
nnssikla.