The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-28
BECKER, .H0PE.GoNE,
WON'T ~BE'SQUEALER'
Friend Says Condemned Man
and Family Are Resigned
to Fate.
PERKINS KILLS RUMOR

Charles Becker and his wife and
brothers have given up all hope that
the condemned man will escape the
electric chair. This statement was
made last night by one who Is In closest
touch with the affairs OF the murderer
Of Herman Rosenthal.
Becker and his relatives nave abb
solutely no plan OF action. according. to
this informant, inc II may be posi-
lively stated that Becker will not bar
gain for Communication of sentence to
life imprisonment by making graft ex-
will not buy clemency at the expense
OF others. and I do not intend to frame
IN stories against any n the I
was framed myself"
II Is regarded as certain that Becker
will go to the chair without "squeal-
ting" The only glimmer OF hope his
family has is that public opinion may
cause Gov. Whitman to commute his
sentence, and that hope is very faint.
..saueaI" Tale Denied.
A story printed in a morning news
y . 10 VIZ, e"Ah ahNhN H'N,H0A
will In exchange fer ar executive COM
mutation Of sentence from death to life
name prominent higher up" officials
guilty Of bribery was denounced later
in the day as utterly false by Warden
Thomas Mott Osborne of Sing Sing and
by Father Cashin. chaplain a; the
prison.
The story Is absurd. ridiculous said
Father Cashin with some heat.
"Tt was made nm out of the whole
cloth" Warden Osbor said. only
Mrs. Becker has seen her husband since the
Court of Appeals refused Becker a third
trial, and she had nothing 20 say aocu.
Becker's plans when she came from the
death house. l haven't even seen Becker
myself since the decision. n even we
who are here In the prison know nothing
Of Becker's plans OF the last few days"
Becker's brother. Police Lieutenant
John Becker. and Martin T. Marton. the
condemned mans counsel. visited Becker
after Warden Osborne had mate this
statement. The lawyer and the lieuten-
ant said when leaving the prison that
they didn't care to discuss the case.
Whatever hopes Becker's friends might
have had of communication OF sentence In
exchange for graft disclosures were
swept away by District Attorney Per-
kins in n brief talk to the reporters yes
torday.
Perkins A6amnnt.
"Let's settle this once md for ALL"
sale the District Attorney. NO confess
sion by Becker that duplicates officials.
no matter how big they are. OF graft
and bribery would warrant an applica-
ton to the Governor for clemency toward
any one who has been convicted OF muir
der In the first degree. Ruthless
punishment of public officials guilty OF
misconduct In Office is important. but 1t
10 more important that instigators OF
murder should be dealt with as the law
directs.
Irrespective OF what Becker may or
may not be able to reveal my position
will remain the same no matter what
assistance he can ofer me to punish
men guilty of comparatively minor
crimes no appeal In payment for that
assistance cau be made for one con-
victed Of murder in the hrst degree"
The mos; serious accusation Becker
could make against any official. II was
said yesterday. would be a charge OF
bribery. Also he probably could charge
conspiracy. But the statute OF limita-
lions in bribery charges operates Il; the
end OF five years and in conspiracy At
the end of two years. As Becker was ar
rested almost three years ago his oner
to assist the District Attorney by turn
ing States evidence would, owing to
the statute OF limitations. be worthless
SO far as prosecuting any official ac-
cused by aim Is concerned. II was said
too that the necessary corroborat.on OF
his charges would be impossible.
Whitman's Significant Words.
CHICAGO, May 2I.-Gov. Whitman
and party of New York State officials
who are en- route 10 the Panama Expo
sltion spent to-day In Chicago and to-
night left for the West. They will ar
rive in San Francisco Monday morning.
Gov. Whitman was guest OF honor at "A
luncheon given by Fred W. Upham n
other prominent politicians, and in the
afternoon he visited Mayor Thompson
and went sightseeing.
You can readily appreciate my posi-
tion." Gov. Whitman said when asked
about the fate of Charles Becker. II
think | said all | had TO say about the
case when I prosecuted Becker in both
his trials, and ] think I said IL pretty
vigorously. 1t Is a strange coincidence
that the prosecutor who pushed both
cases against Becker is now Governor,
and that the trial Judge at the second
hearing. Judge Samuel ~Seabufy. Is now
n Judge OF the New York State Court
OF Appeals, the tribunal before which
action On a writ OF habeas corpus mus;