New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-30
Whitman Touched as Mrs.
Becker Vainly Begs
for Clemency.
DECLARES HUSBAND
mo FOUL SLAYER"
Governor Calls Refusing Re-
prieve Interview His Most
Trying Experience.

Poughkeepsie, n. Y, July 2o.-In a
dimly lighted room of the Nelson
House here tonight, Mrs. Charles
Becker pleaded futilely with Governor
Whitman to commute her husbands
sentence to life imprisonment.
Weeping slightly, but maintaining
such control that the Governor later
remarked admiringly on her composure
she based her appeal solely on her be-
lief in her husbands innocence. There
was no offer either by her or John b
Johnston, one of Becker's attorneys
who accompanied her, to expose any
thing in exchange for the convicted
mans life.
Governor, know Charlie is nc
saint" was her repeated assertion
"but he is not the foul murderer that
he has been branded"
The Governor was visibly affected
but he shook his head negatively.
81 cannot" he said, but | want you
to feel free to tell me everything. If
there is anything that you know that
YOU have not told that you think would
help your husband, or that / should
know, you may tell 1t TO me now with
the fullest assurance that it will be
regarded as absolutely confidential
Nothing to Tell" Says Wife.
"There is nothing to tell" Mrs
Becker replied. 81 only know he is IN
nocent."
The conference between Mrs. Becker
and the Governor lasted about fifteen
minutes. Mr. Johnston and Major john
Stanley Moore, the Governors military
secretary, also were present.
Prior TO seeing Mrs. Becker the Gov
ernor conferred for more than an hour
with Mr.. Johnston. When asked 10
grant a reprieve that new evidence
might be submitted, Mr.. Whitman said
there was none.
Throughout the day Mrs. Becker sell
dom spoke CARRIED in black tafteeta
suit and a black hat trimmed with
white wings, few recognized her and
she recognized no one.
A crowd as large as that often seen
in front of the hotel on regatta days
had gathered about the Nelson House
when the Governors car rolled up
about $3.50 o'clock. Ten minutes later
car bearing Mrs. Becker and Mr..
Johnston arrived. The crowd fell back
and silently watched Mrs. Becker, un-
supported. step briskly through the
lobby and into the elevator and ascend
10 the second floor, where the Governor
was waiting.
For more than an hour. while Mr..
Johnston pleaded his points OF law
with the Governor, Mrs. Becker sat
alone in a darkened room. Meantime
the halls outside filled with newspaper
men and photographers, most OF whom
had followed the Governor from the
camp at Fshkill Plains, where he had
reviewed the I'd Brigade:
Suddenly the women who were about
10 have tea walked into the room where
Mrs. Becker sat and asked her II she
would like a cup OF tea.
"Please Leave Me Alone
"No. no." she muttered. please
leave me alone. That is all | ask
When the Governor had completed
his conference with Mr.. Johnston the,
doors of the rooms were opened and
the Governor went TO Mrs. Becker. she
arose Immediately and began to talk.
As between Mrs. Becker and the Gov
ernor she appeared to have her nerves
under better control than Le. His lace
was flushed, his collar wilted and ne
stood YEARLY clasping his hands when
he saw sev,ral newspaper men soon al
ter he had left her. m
81 suppose" he said slowly, "that
Won want to ask me if have seen Mrs
Becker. | have. and | have told her
that | cannot intervene"
Turning then 20 Mr.. Johnston the
Governor said: "You had better make
statement now"
Mr.. Johnston then explained the le,
gal points in the case which he hac
raised and the Governor told on what
Ground he had refused 70 consider them
lust cause for his interfering with the
execution. ,,,-. l.
As the Governor finished talking ne
moved over TO a chair and sat down on
the arm Imply. +.
"It's been q trying experience FOR
me-" he said. 81 thought | had gone
through everything possible in the DIS
ttict Attorneys Office, but | know no"
that such was not the case"
Are you in favor Of the pardonine
~..t.,.d IN maze g column