New-York tribune., 1918-08-08
Whitman Is Asked
ToOrder Chapman
From Death House
Governors Campaign Head
lntercedes for Youth
Denied Exercise

William w. Cocks, campaign mana
ger for Governor Whitman, whose in
eerest IN the case of Paul Chapman.
the slxteen-y -year-old boy in the Sing
sing death house, has been enlisted by
Matthew w. Wood. Chapman's LAWYER.
yesterday called up the Governor on
'he long distance wire and asked him
to consider the advisability of removing
the boy from the death house pending
the possible granting of a new trial in
the fall. A decision is expected from
the Governor any day.
Paul was indicted in October. 1917.
for murder in the first degree. He had
agreed to watch outside a house in
Brooklyn while two young men carried
out robbery. During the commission
OF the robbery Harry Regensburg was
killed. Although evidence showed that
Paul had never entered the house
where the crime took place he is guilty
of the capital offence because he helped
plan the felony. He was convicted in
February and sentenced to electrocu
ton. His age provides, under the law
OF this state, no eXtenuation of guilt.
child of seven, under the law, would
be Just as liable to the death nena1tv
Deprived of Exercise
Paul has been incarcerated in the
death house since February Since
May l6 he, with the other condemned
men, has been deprived of exercise in
the open air. This deprivation was
originally punishment for demon
stratlon which occurred in protest
against the execution of minor, John
kushnleruck. Officials at Sing Sing saw
that 1t was not intended ct first to keep
the men shut up SO long. The greater
part of the eleven weeks Incarceration
has been due, it is stated, to the fact
that repair work has been going on in
the exercise yard
Following the printing Of story in
The Tribune few days ago, calling
attention to the fact that this is the
severest discipline that has ever been
inflicted upon inmates of the prison,
Warden Meyer made tour of the
death house and assured each man that
he would be released some time this
week for his usual recreation outdoors.
Lawyer Makes Protest
In letter to Governor Whitman Mr.
Wood, Chapman's lawyer, refers to this
matter as follows:
Many prominent people have
asked me whether there was not some
way to remove this boy from the death
house pending the hearing and deter
mlnatlon of the appeal. I have seen
arden Meyer, who states he is power
less unless he receives permission from
you. committee of promi-
nent citizens has been formed, and we
desire the privilege of a short inter
view with you at the earliest possible
date.
"The boys father died of tubercu-
losis when Paul was three years of age,
and his brother died of the same dis
ease in 1915. His mother greatly fears
that his close confinement may develop
it in him. Moreover, since he has been
confined in the death house at least five
persons have been executed, and he
has been compelled to undergo the de-
preston and anguish of mind of these
ordeals.'
Lenency Petitions Signed
Among the individuals and organiza-
tons that have gone on record as peti-
tioning the Governor for clemency in
this case are the Third Ward Republi-
can Club. of Flushing, with seventy
five signatures, asking for a full par
don: large group of young men now
in their country's service at Spartan
burg, who have offered to circulate The
Tribune's petition throughout the mill
tary camp, and Major Charles w. Sny-
der, veteran of the Civil War, who
writes a personal letter intended for
the Governor in which he says that
"the execution of Paul Chapman, in
view of his age. would be q greater
crime than the one for which he has
been condemned
The Legislative League of New York,
an organization largely composed of
women lawyers, Of which Mrs. Thomas
Slack is president; = haye aye ,asa srranged 2 "a
near future at Monticello, Sullivan
County Mr.. Wood and Marie de Mon
talvo. Of The Tribune, have been asked