Middletown transcript., 1915-06-26
MlDDrzrOwH. DEL, JUNE %, 1915
A HERO GOVERNOR


cries uttered within few feet Of them.
They dared not acquit this victim of
Jew-hating mob, but found him guilty
upon the evidence of dsselute negro
jail-bird named Conley who swore to no
less than three different stories, and
was contradicted fatty in many ways
by large number of highly respectable
white witnesses. Conley beyond any
doubt Is the real murderer, and we
predict that later this will appear.
Frank fearing a mobbing in the
courtroom, absented himself, upon the
advice of his counsel, when the jury
brought in their verdict-so high did
the mob spirit rise.
Roam, the trial judge, when dying
left q letter declaring his doubt of
Franks guilt-but when living he was
afraid to do his duty as a judge, and
give the poor man a new trial.
The Board of Pardons also were
afraid to recommend the Communication
of his death sentence to life imprison-
ment, though one of the foremost
lawyers of Atlanta sent them power
full resume of the whole case which
clearly disclosed the fiimsy nature of
this negro's perjury, begging them to
save the state of Georgia the shame of
this scandalous judicial murder
Against the dark background of all
this cowardice, and of a debased
popular prejudice whose brutal slogan
, was that of the bowling mob "Hang
the ID Jew," this brave act of
Governor Slaton's in committing Franks s
sentence because of a grave doubt of
his guilt, shows in spotlight whiteness!
This heroic Governor knew that his
refusal to sign Franks death warrant,
was to sign his own, politically, socially
and commercially-perhaps literally
yet, being made of the stuff Nature
uses to make her men, he did sign.
Some later day when the truth about
this cruel murder shall have appeared,
it will vindicate both Frank and this
courageous Governor who at such fear
full cost to himself has done what he
believed to be right. To realize fully
the herOism of Governor Slaton one
should read what follows:
Atlanta, Ga, June 2lst.
Governor Slaton this morning
commuted the death sentence of
Leo M. Frank to life Imprisonment.
Tonight his home is circled with
barbed-wire entanglements, men,
bers of the state militia are on
guard and mob, estimated at be-
tween 5000 and 10000, is march
ing to his home, six miles from
here, denouncing the executive for
his action.
All Georgia is aroused over the
clemeney to Frank. Governor
SiatOn has been hanged and burned
in effgy in many towns. Meetings
at many points have passed resolu-
tons of denunciation; while
Marietta, the birthplace of Mary
Phagan, the victim of the murder,
has branded him as '11ing of the
Jews and traitor to the state.'
Tonight, as the mob is on its way
to his home, the governor said:
''They can tear me to pieces, but l
viii know have done what should
be done to follow the right and up
hold the honor of Georgia and the
Office / hold. The ones who are
bowling loudest now, six months
hence will be the first to approve
my action of today. 1 could not
hang any man where there was
doubt of his guilt.
Il could not sit like Pontius
PLATE and turn Frank over to be
executed. l had to do what was
, right. The whole thing is just this:
The people who are doing all the
talking have not read the evidence
in the case.
AS the mob, which is bound for
he governors home, assembled IN
the heart of this city tonight, shouts
Of eve want John M. Slaton,
ieorgia's traitor governor !" were
fard everywhere. When the
rch began mounted police accom-
ed the people on the route.
o'clock a crowd of about 700
nd boys from the country side
aggregated about the COVER
nome. He then ordered
C, Of the militia, to sur
place. The soldiers
to the crowd and disper-
executive has proclaim
-. area of half
rty. "-North
MS of a Jew.
II its ignorance
-hese words that
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