The Washington times., 1915-06-21

grounds to Judge Hill. Tho motion was
denied. Meanwhile, there had been an
examination into Franks sanity and he
had been declared normal.
The second denial Of new trial was
court. and the avenues Of escape wore
rapidly closing to Frank. Last No
vember the Georgia supreme court re-
fused a writ of error. and there remain
ed ONLY the Supreme Court OF the Uni
ted states and executive clemency.
After several unsuccessful efforts to
obtain a writ to bring the case before
the Supreme Court. writ was finally
granted Frank by Justice Lamar last
December. This writ permitted Frank to
have a review by the highest tribunal
Of the refusal of Federal Judge New
man, of Georgia. to release Frank on a
habeas corpus.
The Frank case was argued before the
Supreme Court on February %. 1913, and
on April 10 the court Of last resort re-
fused TO set aside the verdict OF the
Georgia courts.
Two Dissent.
The highest tribunal did not under
take to pass upon the evidence In the
frank case, but concerned Itself with
the question OF whether there had been
a proper administration OF Justice, and
whether Frank had been denied a fair
trial by the Georgia courts. The SUI
preme Court held that under all the cir
cumstances II did not feel authorized to
set aside the actions Of the Georgia
| courts, although two justices expressed
doubt in a dissenting opinion that
frank had had fair trial because of
the prevaience Of mob spirit at the
Having lost out at Washington, Frank
then turned his pleas toward tho
Georgia pardon board. With the an
nouncement that this board would soon
begin consideration OF the case. thou
sands OF petitions began to reach the
! board. These petitions came from every
section Of the United states, and ranged
from postal card pleas for eiemency
to papers signed by thousands OF per-
sons and many organizations. SO great
had become the interest In franks case
that htge boxes were brought into the
state capitol at Atlanta to hold the
| written pleas for mercy.
There were likewise petitions urging
the pardon board to remain firm ana
not to interfere with the conviction, al
though these petitions were far Less
| numerous.
Last Stage Of Fight.
On June 0. by q vote of to ], the
pardon board refused Franks plea for
clemency. Only Governor Slaton then
remained between Frank and the moose,
and with public interest again at fever
Seat, sle final plea of the condemned
man was taken to the executive cham
Der. with former Congressman william
NJ. Hoo ard as the chief representative
Of the man who stood within the shadow
Of death.
consumed several days and there were
renewed cries from the Georgia public
for Franks life. these mingling with
appeals from far and near for mercy
and time in which the convicted man
may prove the innocence he claims.
On Saturday last. Governor Slaton
who will leave office within few days
announced that he would either com.
mute mute Franks sentence or permit him m e
reprieve, said the governor, and Frank
was thus apprised that today would
bring for him life or ignominious death
1t brought life, although 1t must bt
ton ton was az f forecast last mig night ts when Franz
was secretly removed from the Fultor
county jail and taken to Niiledgeville.
The shadow Of death hung over Leo
ence finally was commuted. He sought
to escape execution by every means
being overlooked. Court appeals were
taken so that three times he has stood
before judges and heard them pronounce
the death sentence. He has been In
court rooms of every description, and
has spent his days In prisons. and city
jails, when ne was taken about to sp.
pear before the different judges to make
Besides the efforts made by his rela.
tives and friends there has been a ma.
tion-wide spectacular appeal In his be-
half. Bulky petitions have been return.
ed from every city of Importance in the
country bearing the names Of thousands
asking that he be extended clemency
And these petitions were not passiyely
circulated, Newspapers gave publicity
ed them around after street corner
meetings. Meetings We're held in audi.
toriums at which able orators present.
ed his case, and then asked that the
petition be signed.
Hebrews Behind Him.
Frank Is a Hebrew. Formost In hi
behalf have been the Hebrew people OF
the United States. They have worked
for his release. In many ways proyid.
Ing funds for his great loyal fight
throwing the sentiment OF their strons
organizations In his favor and makinS
unanimous appeal that he be spared.
: the long fight has been the continued
insistence OF his innocence made by
Frank himself.
Franks birthplace was Paris, Tex. HI,
father and mother moved to Brooklyn
N, Y, while he was still baby. and ht
was brought up there. He was gradu.
ated from Cornell University and moved
to Atlanta six years ago. He married
1.-TWO years later. and made a permanen
home. He became prominent in church
president of the Society OF B'nai Birth
i He was slight of build. with dark mai
and eyes. He wore sarge glasses anC
appeared to be Of studious disposition