The log cabin Democrat., 1920-03-11
LEGION CENSURES
 STAY TO ADMISSION
ACT'OF BROUCH, ,DONACHEY
MT. Donaghey Says Action Taken on Plea of G. w. AdkissOn-Legion
 Says AdkissOns not Farmers.
Arkansas Gazette. March ID

Post of the American Legion last night
 adopted resolutions condemning the
 action of Governor Brough in granting stays of sentences to Tom Adkisson and his son, Bliss Adkisson, alleged slayers of Porter Hazelwood. Hazel wood was killed July ', 1918, when he accompanied the sheriff of Clebourne county to the Adkisson home to arrest Bliss Adkisson and his brother-in-law, Leo Martin, on charges of resisting the draft.
 The resolutions charge that Cover nor Brough dld not make a thorough investigation of the cases, and that residents of Cleburne county were not consulted. The governors statement to the newspapers that the stays were granted to permit the Adkissons 0 plant crop is declared unrue, as the Legionaires here say they have been informed that they have not raised a crop for several years.
 "The action Governor Brough has taken and the statements lie has made for the press are, in our opinion, in utter disregard of the wishes of the people of the county where the crime was committed" say the resolutions. "The action of Governor Brough in granting the stays of sentences of Tom and Bliss Adkisson is contrary to the purpose and the intention of the American Legion and to the views and policies of the local post thereof, and of the best citizens of this coun- ty and community"
 The resolutions conclude with a re- quest that Governor Brough inform himself of the truth of the situation and that when he does he withdraw the stays of sentences and compel the Adkissons to begin their sentences, which were imposed by the circuit court and upheld by the supreme court of the state, which we believe to be righteous one."
 Copies of the resolutions had not reached the governors office yester- day afternoon, and Governor Brough was on his way to New Orleans. However, John L. Carter, secretary to the governor said, that no further action in the Adkissons' cases will be taken by Governor Brough, as he be- lieved both were guilty. He said neither would receive pardon from tht governor.
 Explaining why the stays of sen tences were granted, MT. Carter said:
 "The request came from former Governor Donaghey and half broth CT of Tom Adkisson, who is a highly respected citizen of Conway. Repre- sentations were made to the governor that Tom Adkisson had large family, and that the planting of crop, for which the stay of sentence was grant ed, would materially aid Mrs. Adkis son and their children.
 "The governor is not responsible for any misstatements of facts in the re- quest for the stay of sentence. Gov ernor Brough, however, has every con- fdence in any statement that the for mer governor might make, and there has always existed precedent, wheth- CT right or wrong, between govern or and former governor, to the extent that any reasonable request from for mer governor is granted.
 "The stay of execution was granted by Governor Brough solely upon the request from the former governor and the half brother of Tom Adkisson."
 Fomer Governor Donaghey said last night that he had requested Governor Brough to grant stays of sentences to Tom Adkisson and Bliss Addison on the representation of G. w. Adkis- son, a half brother of Tom Adkisson, whom he has known for many years. He said that Governor BrOugh, in granting the stays of sentences, said he was doing it solely at his request Former Governor Donaghey says he IS confident that c. w. Adkisson would not misrepresent matters to him. lie said that G. w. Adkisson told him that unless Tom Adkisson and his son Bliss, could clear the land of timber and blow it, that his wife and foul smaller children would not be able tc make livelihood. The oldest of the youngsters, a girl 10 or 12 years of age, would have to do the blowing, it was said. Mr. Donaghey said he had been told that the farm of Tom Adkis son is mortgaged and the family has no money. Mir. Donaghey said that his request for stays of sentences to the Adkissons was the second request he had ever made to any governor for any stay, pardon of other act of elem ency since he was governor.