The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-06-15
ARGUMENTS FOR
AND AGAINSTLEO
M. FRANK HEARD
Case is Exhaustively Re
viewed Before Governor Of
Georgia.
SOLICITOR DORSEY
SPEAKS FOUR HOURS
Congressman Howard APP
pears and Argues for Com
mutation of Sentence.

Atlanta, June 14.-Testlmony for
and against Leo Frank, which was
presented at his trial on the charge
Of numbering Mary Phagan. and in
subsequent court proceedings were
exhaustively reviewed before Gov
ernor Slaton today on the hearing Of
Franks application Tor q communal
ton sentence. The hearing was ad-
jouned until Wednesday. Argument
viii be completed then and the case
submitted.
Solicitor Dorsey spoke for four
hours. He undertook % convince the
governor Of Franks guilt on the tes-
timony Of other witnesses than Jim
Conley, the negro. Eliminating Con-
ley's evidence, Dorsey sought 10 show
that incidents and circumstances sur
rounding the crime, brought out az the
trial pointed to Frank as the perpe-
traitor.
Former Congressman Howard, rep
resenting Frank, relied upon the re-
cord 70 show Franks innocence.
Howard attacked Conley's afiidavits
testimony. He declared Conley'a
story was a cunning invention 10 save
his own life and plaee The crime %
another.
THREE POINTS DISCUSSED.
Mr.. Dorsey IN his brief and oral
argument discussed three points pre-
sented by Franks counsel in their
plea fer the Communication Of the death
sentence. Re sought 70 show By the
record II the case that Prank had q
fair trial; that the evidence proved
that Frank and not Coniey committed
the murder; and thar the trial Judge
was sufficiently convinced Of Franks
guilt 20 refuse him a new trial.
In reviewing the record, the solici-
tor cited alleged contradictions ia
Franks testimony before the coroner
and his statement at the trial He
said that the record showed that
Frank never accused Conley Of any
connected withthe murder until after
the negro had been arrested ard also
that he never told officials that Con.
ley could write, although he knew II
when detectives were seeking 60 prove
that Conley wrote the murder notes
found beside the girls body. Dir
/ Dorsey's argument occupied almost
the entire morning session.
Judge Roam himself. declared the
solicitor, had held that Frank had 4
fair trial. "The record shows" n
continued. shat the demonstration
By the crowd outside tire court room
vas not heard b. the jurors and that
there was nothing to justify the ale.
CATION that the crowd in the court
room shouted 20 the jury hang Franz
or well hang YOU"
The state. federal and United States
supreme courts, said Mr.. Dorsey alsS
held that Frank had not been de,
prived q any right In that he wa
absent from the court room, az the re,
lquest of the trial Judge, when ths
III verdict was returned. These courts
also held, hS said. that allegations o.
mob violence was not sustained.
PETITION FROM MINISTERS
II At this point Mr.. Dorsey was IN
; terrupted 20 allow Rev. @. B. Wilmer
local Episcopal minister, 20 presen
petition from the Atlanta minister
urging Communication of Franks sen
, tence. Dr. Wilmer urged the govern
! or 70 decide it, case On cts merits
On justice and without regard 70 an
form Of prejudice" He offered threl
reasons which, he said justified som
mutation Of sentence for Frauk
These were:
First the atmosphere II Atlanta Be
fore and during the trial
! Second, the manner In which d
evidence against Frank was obtained
Third, the reasonable doubt 0
Franks guilt, which, he said, stil
! exists.
Resuming Mr.. Dorsey reptile,
briefly to Dr. Wilmer, declaring tha
= 20 felt that TIE state had q cleo
: case against Frank without using IN
I testimony of the negro James Conley
7 lie offered In evidence alfidavits froE
: The sheriff and several deputies f