The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-06
governor BEGGED
TO PARDON ACTOR
Theatrical Folk Flooding Office
With Letters in Epstein's
Behalf.
MANY CALLERS AT OFFICE
Attorneys Seek Communication OF
Bells Death Sentence on
Insanity Plea.
MANY CALLERS AT OFFICE

\ As the result Of recent publicn ton
in theatrical magazine, Governor
Stuart has been dcluged with letters
4 from members of the theatrical pro-
/ fession in all sections OF the country,
asking that Joseph Epstein, an actor
who Is now serving seven-ycar sem
tence in the Virginia penitentiary for
/ pandering, be pardoned. An unsuccess-
/ full attempt was made BY the theatrical
/ fraternity to secure Epstein's pardon
/ from Governor Mann before his retire
ment from office.
Shortly before Governor Stuart as
sumed office n widely circulated the
atrical publication printed an account
| of Epstein's conviction. and called upon
actors the country over to appeal to
tho new executive III his bohnlf Al
though few OF the profession know tho
obscure Epstein, the publication pro-
duced wonderful response. Almost
every mail brings to the Governor let
tiers asking for tho pardon of Epstein.
They come from such far of points as
Illinois. Iowa and Oklahoma. Epstein
was convicted In Norfolk
Asked to Save Condemned Man.
Attorneys Of John Bell, the negro
awaiting death in the penitentiary on
February l3 for murder renewed their
efforts yesterday to obtain n commuta-
ton of sentence. 1t is the first case in
which Governor Stuart has been called
upon to act upon n sentence or death.
Bell. who murdered n negro man, was
sentenced 10 death by Il jury in the
Circuit Court OF Norfolk in July, 1913.
The court fixed October 10 as his exc
cution day. The friends and attorneys
of the condemned man declare him to
be insane, and sought TO have Governor
Mann commute his sentence on that
| account. Pending a full investigation
into his sanity. Bell was respited four
times by Governor Mann. Judge Law
! lar lao ,;n3
written that he sees no reason for the
exercise Of executive clemency. The
pcnitentiary surgeon, however. cN-
presses the opinion that Bell is insane
VIII Address Convention.
The Governor accepted an invitation
behalf OF the State to the National
| Tailors' Association convention on
Tuesday morning In tho jefferson Ho-
tel This will be his initial appearance
In this role. which the Governor Is SO
often called upon to ALL
Two acquisitions were issued by tho
Governor yesterday One was issued
on the chief Justice of the District of
Columbia, asking that Charles McHen-
ny, wanted in Norfolk for the theft
of four horses be turned over to Vir-
g!nla officers. Tho other was a request
on Governor Goldsborough, of Mary
land for the return of Isaiah Pendle-
ton, wanted III Essex County for
felonious assault on David Washington.
Receives Many Callers.
Among the numerous callers at tho
executive offices yesterday were: for
mer Governor William l.. Cameron of
Norfolk: Judge j. d. Wcaklcy, former
chief justice OF Alabama: the Rev.
James l. Vance. d. d.. OF Nashville
Tenn, and the Rev. I. A. n. Thomas.
ID. d, or Kansas City.
The manager of local motion pic
ture theatre at which the pictures OF
tie Inauguration OF Governor Stuart
are to be exhibited. called upon the
Governor in the hope OF having him
attend a special performance of the
reel yesterday afternoon. The Cover
nor's appointment book was crowded
and he was unable to accept He told
the manager, however, that he was al
ready patron of the movies" and
would need no special invitation to
see the inauguration pictures II he
could find time while they are being
shown here.