The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-03-12
Miss Richardson, Suhragette,
Who Slashed Rokeby Venus
Miss Richardson, Suragee Regiments Entrainn
Who Slashed Rokeby Venus for the Mexican border.
Addresses the Court in Expla Will Divided Between
nation of Her Course redo and Eagle Pass
IT. SHAME She HAD TO DO II ARMY LlI6ER THAN SHFTER'
Glad to Live in Century With Three Thousand More
Mrs. Pankhurst. Than Invaded Cuba.
Receives Sentence Of Six Patrol Asked
Months in Prison. bv Texas Coneressmen.
Addresses the Court in Expla-
nation Of Her Course.
IT'SA SHAME SHE HAD TO DO II
Glad to Live in Century With
Mrs. Pankhurst,
Receives q Sentence of Six
Months in Prison.

London, March 12.-Miss May
Richardson. the militant suffragette.
who Tuesday hacked Velasquez's
"Rokeby Venus" a famous painting in
the National gallery. was sentenced to-
day to six months Imprisonment.
The case against Miss. Richardson
was arrested March 10, taken to Bow
street police court, and committed for
trial by the magistrate on the same
day; the grand jury yesterday re-
turned true bill against her and to-
day she was tried and convicted by .
jury at the London sessions at the
Old Bailey.
The public prosecutor, in address
ing the jury on behalf Of the govern
ment. said one might we'll doubt
whether the prisoner was in her right
sense. There was no medical evi-
dence to show that she was a person
NOT responsible for her actions. Miss
Richardson has been on hunger
strike since her arrest. In replying to
the charge today, she said her act was
premeditated and she pleaded guilty.
She Addresses the Court.
Addressing Judge Robert Wallace,
who presided over the court, Miss Rich
ardson said:
II am an art student. but I care
more for justice than for art. firm
ly believe that when the nation has
shut it's eyes to justice and has allow
ed women, who are fighting for JUS
tice. to be maltreated and tortured.
such an action as mine should be un-
derstandable.
1.-The slow and premeditated murder
of Mrs. Emmeline Pankhurst is the ul-
INN To ia11 hos 10 no
recent acts of her followers. The ma
ton seems to be dead or asleep. for we
women have knocked vainly at the
doors of ministers, bishops and arch
bishops and even OF the king him
self.
IT know that you will sentence me.
can stand only a few months tor
ture. but my fate makes little differ
ence. am really a grateful and happy
woman, because I have been able to
live in a century in which Mrs. Pank-
hurst lived and because in a slight
measure, I have tried to carry out what
I believe in.'
sentence, the following cOlloquy oc-
CURED:
Defends Her Course.
The Judge-"If the picture had
been destroyed no money could have
replaced it."
Miss Richardson: do you realize
that no money can replace Mrs.
Pankhurst? She is being slowly
killed.
The Judge: "You have pleaded
guilty and have gloried in your
crime"
Miss Richardson's: ct don't say
that. I think it is q shame had to
consider it my duty to do it."
The Judge: ''It is my duty to pass
sentence Of six months imprison-
ment. I recognize that this sentence
is totally inadequate but it is the
maximum sentence for damaging
works of art. II the offense had been
window breaking I could have given
the prisoner 18 months"
Miss Richardson looked i'll, and it
was suggested in some quarters that
the precariOus state of her health had
been the reason for the taking Of the
unusual course of hurrying the trial.
The charge against the prisoner
was malicious damage to a picture
More Public Buildings Closed.
London, March 12.-The vandalism
of the militant suffragettes caused
the closing today of a great many
public buildings in addition to those
which locked their doors yesterday.
The Victoria and Albert museum. the
crypt and galleries of St Paurs ca
thedral, the royal stables at Bucking-
ham palace ana the cnarter mouse
we're among those affected. Popular
resentment in connection with suf-
fragette outrages was reflected again
today in court.
A number of Questioners urged
REGINALD McKenna, the home secre-
tary, not to release such a dangerous
character as May Richardson, who
was sentenced to six months impris-
onment for damaging the Rokeby
Venus.