El Nuevo mexicano., 1916-07-06
ONE BANDIT SAVED
OUT OF SEVEN is
WORTH WHILE, SAYS
ATTORNEY I. c. WADE
COURSE IN SEEKING INvEsTleA-
TIoN OF CASES or COLUMBUS
MuRDERERS HAS BEEN FULLY
INDICATED, HE BELIEVES

One human life saved, is what At
Itorney Edward G. Wade, Jr. considers
the entirely worthwhile net result of
the movement which he initiated to
secure an investigation. of the cases
Of the seven Villista bandits o
demned, after full and fair trial as
provided by law, to die for their share
in the murderous bandit raid on Co
lumbus, N. M.
Mr.. Wade, a well known lawyer Of
FL Paso, formerly of this city, points
with pride I'd the Communication of the
sentence of Jose Rodriguez by the gov
ernor to life imprisonment, as a vindi-
cation of his course of action. He
writes the New Mexican the Following
letter:
Gel Paso, Tex, June 80. 1916.
Editor Santa Fe New Mexican,
Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Dear Sir:
'The final outcome of the review
by Governor Mcdonald Of the cases
OF the seven Villistas has, in my opin-
ion, thoroughly INDICATED my course
of action in bringing about an exam
nation of those cases by the gov
ernor. All the evidence obtainable
clearly showed that the defendant,
Jose Rodriguez, did not merit the
death penalty, and the governor, af-
ter a very conscientious examination
of the matter, has committed his SEN
tence to life Imprisonment.
"My position in this matter has al
ways been that these Villistas, not
withstanding the atrociousness of the
acts committed at Columbus, were en-
titled to the same fair play as any
other defendant. whether he be an
American or a Mexican. ! hold that
the taking Of human life by the state
is a serious matter at best and should
not be looked upon lightly even
though the defendant represents a low
type of manhood. ] further hold that
every defendant in a first degree muir
der case should be afforded every Op-
portunity to have his case re-examin-
ed by another tribunal distinct from
that. in which he was originally tried,
before being led to the gallows.
1My view has always been. and is
now, that an INDECENT defendant is
entitled to have counsel furnished
him to defend his case, not only in
the lower court, but in the higher
court as well. In many states, the
office of public defender has been
created for the very purpose Of as
the pauper in maintaining his
under the law. In New Mex
leo, we have no such office. /, there
fore, felt it my duty, as an officer of
The courts of New Mexico, to volun-
Leer my services in bringing about
reexamination of the cases. /, Of
course, realized at the outset that
The cause in question was extremely
Unpopular with a large part Of our
people, but this should not and did not
prevent the defendants from having
heir cases reviewed by the governor
IF New Mexico. Governor Mcdonald,
it the request Of the president, made
IN extremely careful examination Of
he cases In his usually conscientious
manner and the net result Of the in
has been the saving Of a human
life. In my opinion, the effort l made,
Notwithstanding the criticism levelled
it me, has been fully justified.
TN conclusion, | desire to state that
have read with care all the. articles
Ippearing in your worthy paper bear
ng on the subject in hand. l have
Understood many Of your points Of
rev, although, of course, l differed
rom you in many respects. All /
an say Is that your criticisms of my
have been friendly and / high
Y appreciate the compliments you
ave paid me in the same breath with
our censure.
Sincerely yours,
edward c. WADE, JR."