The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-06-22

- Nv 96&SG Va SSSo
That man is Governor slaton.
The decision Of Governor slatop.
handed down yesterday, in which ne
committed the sentence OF Leo NJ.
Frank from death to life im2rison-
n6nt, was heartily approved by every
body. ave the citizens OF Georgia, and
especially the citizens Of Atlanta. In
making the decision Governor slaton
proyed to the world that he was
q man Of strong character and that
he was above allowing mob rule
% take precedence over justice. The
cry Of the mob. the cry Of practically
the whole State Of Georgia was to hang
Frank. hang him guilty or not guilty.
The voice Of justice said: Don't hang
Frank; there is too much doubt as TO
his guilt" And the wise governor
listened to the plea Of Justice and
Turned q deaf ear to the howlings OF
the mob.
That Governor Slaton knew that he
was doomed to obscurity, SO far as
Georgia was concerned, when he made
Afs Frank case decision is evidenced
bythe statement the governor made in
connection with his decision. His
hrst brief statement on the case, which
VIII Be supplemented by a complete
statement Of over $4,000 words, read:
Au that / ask is that the people o.
Georgia read my statement Of the rea'
sons Why I committed Leo N. Franks
death sentence to life Imprisonment
before they pass Judgment. Feeling
as I do about the case. I would be
4 murderer If I allowed this man to
hang. It means that I must live n
obseurtty the rest of my days, but |
would rather be blowing in a field
Tran TO feel for the rest Of my life that
/ had this mans blood on my hands"
Surely there could not be a cleaner,
81 more straight forward statement OF
sactthan made by Governor slaton. And
the people Of the entire country will
hack the governor to the limit in his
decision. He put aside every thought
save that justice must be done. Gov.
ernor slaton evidently went on the old
axiom that the whole is greater than
sny ~ its parts.
The entire nation. with the excep-
lion Of the state Of Gergia, was Of the
opinion that Frank did not have a fair
thai and that all reasonable doubt
IS to his guilt had not been removed,
ana that therefore he should not be
executed. The state Of Georgia de.
handed that he be executed, with out
reeard to his guilt or innocence. The
Grief executive decided that the plea
nation for justice should not be
BASED By for the demand Of one state
nat . man be "~railroaded to eternity"
The governor also exercised some
keen judgment when he sent word Of
his decision in advance to the prison
otaeiais IN Atlanta, who had Frank
his way to the state farm at Millege'
vfiie before public announcement OF
Governor slaton's decision "a made.
Ths governor knew full well that the
deeision would not be well received
Atlanta, and he feared that the mob
spirst would break loose. and with
ssrious results, Il Frank was still in
Atlanta when the decision became
known. But with Frank out Of Atlanta.
~ ROB would have less incentive
5rSetic action. knowing that their
f.adsd victim was out Of their reach.
mn statement on his decision,
slaton follows the same line
: ssssoning pointed out in the edi.
column Of The west virginian
week, namely, that there was GER
Sihiya reasonable doubt as 10 Franks
rafit. and that therefore it would be
ching short OF a legal murder to
scats him. He also dwells at length
another point brought out in The
west virginian. which was the fact
tkst James Conley, the debauched
% whose evidence Frank was
rtnally convicted, might have played
reat part In the crime, and in fact,
Be the real pe~rpetrator Of the
- Il Is likely that Conley, now
the governor has saved Frank
om the galIows, is shaking in his
for fear that the real facts OF
case may be revealed and that he
have to swing from the gallows
hich was prepared for Frank.
prank must give great credit to his
re Tor the fact that he has been
vst from death. Never for an
tsnt did she lose faith in her hus-
and vas ever supremely con.
deat hat he would not die the death
y : murderer. She was supremely
nAdent that she would be able to
6nsnee the public Of the fact that