White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1915-06-27
Gov. Slaton of Georgia Has Cour-
age OF His Convictions.

Leo NJ. Frank, whose death sentence
for the murder of Mary Phagan was
committed to life imprisonment ear
" Monday, by Governor Slaton, be-
gan serving his term at the state
prison farm in M~illedgville, a few
hours later. He will be known as
Convict No. $685."
officials secretly took Frank Il
train and automobile from the At
lanta Jail to Milledgeyille and soon
afterward Governor Slaton issued a
long statement giving his reasons for
committing the sentence. which was
to have been executed last Tuesday.
Frank was delivered at the state
prison at 1850 o'clock in the morn
ing. When it became known in At
lanta crowdes began to gather on
downtown street corners. Within
three hours their demonstrations had
resulted in calling out two-thirds of
the police force, and an order follow
ed closing all near-beer saloons and
clubs where liquor could be obtained.
At Marietta, twenty miles away,
the former home of Mary Phagan,
Governor Slaton was hung in effigy.
An Inscription on the dummy read:
John Slaton, Georgia's traitor
governor"
The governor vent fully into de-
tails of by he commuted the SEN
tence in his $1,000 word statement.
He said his decision may near that
| must live in obscurity the rest of
my days, but l would rather be plow-
ing in a field than o feel for the rest
of my life that | had that mans blood
on my hands"
Frank did not know until a few
minutes before he started on the ride
to Milledgeville that he was to leave
his cell. His heavy, distinctive eye
glasses were removed, he wore a
SLOUGH hat and the few persons at the
railway station did not recognize
the famous prisoner. However, his
identity became known when train
reached Griffin, and at Macon he was
reported to be very nervous, needing
the support of Sheriff Mangum when
he vas transferred from the railway
to an automobile.
At the prison, nevertheless, Frank
had regained the outward calm that
had marked his two-years fight for
life. He again protested his inno-
cence, and said that he had intuitiye-
ly believed he would at least get a
Communication of sentence.
Solicitor Dorsey, who prosecuted
Frank, issued a statement in which
he declared the action of Governor
the state and federal courts and over
riding the recommendations of the
state board of pardons was UMPIRE
cedented.
He added that no defendant in his
recollection had had the benefit of
more appeals to both the state and
federal courts.
Gov. Slaton in conclusion says:
I'm any event the performance of
my duty under the constitution is a
matter of my conscience. The re-
sponsibility rests where the power is
imposed. Judge Roam with that aw-
full sense of responsibility which prob
ably came over him as he thought OF
that Judge before whom he would
shortly appear, calls to me from an
other world to request that ! do that
which he should have done.
Il can endure misconstruction,
abuse and condemnation, but l can
not stand the constant championship
OF an accusing conscience which
would remind me in every thought
that l as governor of Georgia, failed
to do hat l thought to be right.
There is territory beyond a
reasonable doubt and absolute GER
tainty for which the law provides in
allowing life imprisonment instead OF
execution. This case has been mark
ed by doubt. The trial judge doubt
ed. Two judges of the United
States supreme court doubted. One
of the three prison commissioners
doubted. In my judgment by grant
ing a Communication in this case l am
sustaining the jury, the judge and
the appellate tribunals and at the
same time am discharging that duty
which is placed upon me by the state
constitution"
Governor of Georgia Being Guarded
by Troops at His Home Near
Atlanta.
Bayonets fixed, a khaki-clad
- Nz1ws- .att0.I n I'd