New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-19
DIES
THIS MORNING.:
WILSON IGNORED
Salt Lake TerrOrstricken
by |. w. w. Threats as
Appeal Is Denied.
tBy Telegraph 20 The Tribune. ]

Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 18.-Joseph
Hillstrom must die at sunrise to-mor
row. President Wilson's appeal for
commutation of the sentence of the |.
w. w. convicted of murder ~as denied
this afternoon by the State Board OF
Pardons.
Governor Spry, in his reply 10 Presi-
dent Wilson, said:
"On September 30, the eve of Hill
strom's execution, you requested stay
of execution TO give the Swedish Min
ister an opportunity to present his
view Of the case. On this same day. on
the presumption that you were in the
possession of facts that might have
altered the case, | granted respite.
On October 16 Hillstrom's attorney ad-
vised the Board of Pardons that there
was no new evidence in the case. The
only thing introduced at this meeting
was a short message from the Swedish
Minister requesting communication OF
sentence lin the name of humanity
The law makes no distinction for the
name of humanity
'Forty-six days after the granting
OF the respite and at the eleventh hour,
you, as the President, without stating
any reasons therefor, again wired, urg-
ing a thorough reconsideration Of the
case because of its Importance and the
justice and advisability of such a
course.
Governors Defence.
"Your interference in the case may
have elevated it to an undue impor-
tance, and the receipt of thousands
Of threatening letters demanding the
release of Hillstrom, regardless Of his
guilt or innocence, may attach a pc
culiar Importance to 1t, but the case
is important in Utah only as establish
ing, after a fair and impartial trial, the
guilt of one of the perpetrators of one
of the most atrocious murders ever
committed in this state. II is also i'm
portant by reason of the fact that this
case has had more careful and pains
taking consideration at the hands of
the proper officials of Utah than any
other like case in the history of the
state.
"As TO your suggestion that justice
requires further consideration of the
case, | earnestly submit that the impu-
tation contained not only in your mes
sage to NE, but elso in your message
70 the presiden. Of the An erican Fed
Grafton of Labor. that this convict has
not had justice n the courts of this
state is not just ied.
Hints al Secret Reeson.
81 am fully convinced that your re.
quest must be based on misconcep-
ton Of the facts CT that there is some
reason OF an international nature that
YOU have not disclosed.
"With full knowledge of all the
facts and circumstances submitted,
feel that further postponement at
this time would be an unwarranted in
reference with the course of justice
Mindful of the obligations of my oath
of Office 70 see that the laws are en-
forced. | cannot and will not lend my
self or my Office to such interference
Tangible facts must be presented before
| will further interfere In this case"
State officials commended Governor
Spry tonight for the firm stand he has
taken, despite the fact that his life is
in peril because Of il. Ten armed men
arc guarding the Governors house to-
NIGHT. The homes Of other state Of
fcinls arc also being guarded. All Of
Continued ON page ]. column