New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-20
Friends Caused Franks
Death, Says Governor
Interference from Outside the State Gave impression
1t Was Wealth Against Little Working
Girls Life Harris Asserts.

had been made. He honestly gave the
man the benefit Of the doubt. When
man Is dead he Is dead long time, ano
he felt that il was better to have MIN
alive so long as there was the chance
of his innocence being ultimately
proven than have him under six feet OF
earth.
But as have said, Governor Slaton's
act was questioned; it was accepted a,
the eliminating outrage; as the ma
proof that money means more IN ueor
Ola than n woman's honor, and, adaeo
TO the horrible sense OF outrage tna'
all men felt at the thought that TINS
child had died defending her honor IL
led TO this horrible act.
1t has been said that there was no
assault upon the girl. 1t Is in the rec.
ord went through IL, for ! Ola nov
know when I would be called upon 10
oct-that there was an attempt at as
sault. That was enough to infiame men;
Men will stand by their women by an
women. I have been at the bar 1or.y.
four wears. and | know that l may try
a case for the railroad and lose' aho
trv q weaker case for woman ana ge'
more from a jury than she deserves
| That is because she is woman, oe
cause she is helpless. That Is not pc
culiar to the people OF Georgia. IL u
the common heritage of the white man
The negro is not devoid oil H.
Pardoned Negro Slayer.
Only a little while ago negro con.
vict asked me for 9 pardon that ne
nigh. 20 home to die among MS o""
He was a murderer.
"Why." said |, 81 cannot pardon you
to 90 and kill somebody else; go,
"Governor," said he, 81 did Kill
man. but he had wronged my WIFE"
"Old man." said |, 81 am gong 10
F, send YOU home" And ! did.
And the feeling that strong man
had killed this child defending her
self against attack aroused our people
lust as it always will arouse men to
aid the helpless. Woman is thought
helpless because she has not the ballot
When she gets that it will change.
To that extent women will lose by
suffrage.
When this awful thing happened
had been working night and day be-
cause of the pressure Of bills at the
end of the legislative session. That
night | worked until ii o'clock. and,
sick and tired. went to my room. AT
2:30 O'Clock was aroused by this
awful news. have slept little since.
The people of Georgia are not law
less. They regret and the best people
resent this thing. | would do anything
in the world if it could be undone. We
hope we can punish the men respon-
sible.
Is Offering a Reward.
Tonight I am offering $1,000 in re-
wards for three of the gang. That is
as much money as there is at my dis
posal. Whether or not it will be eff
fective | do not know. can only
hope.
| regret also the loose talk that is
being made about danger TO Governor
Slaton should he return. / have not
the slightest doubt but that he will
return, and certainly hope that it
never can be said that a Governor Of
Georgia could not return TO his state
because he did what he thought was
right.
| ask that the people Of the North,
of the East, Of the outer world gener-
ally do not judge Georgia unjustly.
We may believe Frank was guilty, but
we believe in law and order, we be-
lieve in American institutions, and we
will fight as hard for our common
country as we ever fought against il,
and for that justice to all men which
the Constitution guarantees and for
which our country stands. Be fair TO
Georgia, and do not judge all her peo-
pie or herself by the acts of few
misguided men.