The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-07-10
PEOPLES FORUM.
Commends Governor sIaton.

Editor virginian:
Sir,-With no desire to enter the
Iimelight of public discussion I wrote
t' your criticism of Governor Slaton
because it seemed to me the prob
| ably great influence of your paper
| was in this case exercised in the
| wrong direction. The question was
not of Franks guilt or innocence, but
OF the propriety Of a Governor ex-
! ercising his power to reverse a court
sentence which was not in accord
with his conscience. If a Governor is
not to use this power why did the
fathers of the republic give 1t TO him
Was IL not to right just such cases
as this of Leo Frank. who is pro-
claimed by "the Great American
Yell" all over the union (the bar OF
public opinion), not to have had a
fair trial according to Anglo-Saxon
law? (Vox populi, voc del, when
nation speaks, not a mob,) Society
has no right to protect itself at the
expense OF any individual whose life
may be demanded as a blood sacri-
flee by mob fury. race prejudice, Of
ficial greed. political partisanry or
any other incentive to blood lust.
When a Governor has the courage to
Illustrate verdict demanded by a !
mob, let us uphold his hands and be
thankful that IAN honest mans the
noblest work of God"
/ observe your correspondent from
Powhatan asks a number Of ques
tions, which a little reflection on his
part might answer He asks what
Mrs. Taylor knows of the evidence in
the Frank case: or what she knows
of Governor Slatons conscience in
the matter, or does she know
that none of the court officers
In the case asked for mercy
for Frank. Please tell him Mrs.
Taylor never reads the disgust
ing details OF such cases, that she
conscience In the decision than any
intelligent person can learn from
reading the newspapers and from the
frank and repeated statements of
Governor Slaton in the papers that
he knew the evidence by heart: did
not believe Frank proven guilty by
it, and would not stain his hands
with his blood, no matter IL ii ruined
his own political future and con-
demned him to the pillow toll for
life!
Furthermore, she read that the
Judge who sat in Franks trial left
his dying testimony that mob feeling
ran so high at the time that ii was
impossible to give him a far trial
and he addressed to the prison board
a request for Communication on that
plea and lack of proof of guilt. A
dying man, judge, and the judge
in the case. he ought TO be a power
ful advocate for the condemned
man. Legislatures of many States,
cities all over the country. individuals
of all grades and professions remon-
strated against the injustice to the
accused. One of the most august
! remonstrances was presented by
special deputation from the State Bar
OF Massa chusetts. Your correspon-
dent seems to think a man must be
proven innocent TO save his neck.
Anglo Saxon law demands man
shall be proven guilty beyond rea-
sonable doubt before society" shall
dare lay hands on hts life. Black
| stone says Better ten guilty escape
than otfe=inHeceH= suffeF..'Put your
self in his place. o gentle reader,
and you will agree with Blackstone
with heartfelt certainty Finally,
what the Divine Master meant pre-
ciseIy by the decree, Let him that
is without sin among you cast the
first stone" is too deep discussion
for the limits of this article. but it is
certain ne spoke of one proven
guilty and legally condemned by the
law of the land, not of one accused
but not proven guilty. Some of the
worlds greatest inteilects have
thought he meant to condemn CAPT.
tai punishment in toto, TO indicate
that the law, thou shalt not KILL
which was thundered from nit. ST.
mai was to apply to States as well
as to individuals.
The tragedy OF Mary Phagan's
death is too deep for words. but sac
rificing Leo Frank will not bring her
to life. nor even prove that the me-
gro Conley was not the real muir
derer in this case. His pretended
confession" of having been made"
to help in the concealment of the
murder seems too much In his own
interest as the probable principal in
the case for any but an excited au-
dience to put any credence in them.
Sincerely yours,
MRS FIELDING LEWIS TAYLOR.
White Marsh. Va, July z.