The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-28
RIVERS |[[|TERACY
 HELPED SAVE H|S NECK FROM MOOSE
Governor Doubts If Crime Warranted Death Penalty.
 Testimony Conflicting
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU |
 THE iGE-H ERA n Mnv1t Uov,, AIo Apr1l pr |


 Governor Brandon commuted the death sentence imposed on Dossy Rivers in Mobile county for the mur- der of A. C. Brill, deputy sheriff, be- cause of serious doubt that the of- fense warranted the death penalty. because of a conflict in the testimony regarding the crime and the causes leading up to it and because the state never provided educational ad- vantages for Rivers and his people This declaration was made by the turn from Eufaula.
 Governor Brandon issued an order of communication Wednesday after noon and announced that his reasons would be made known on his return to the capitol. Rivers people are known as Cajons and live in the Calvert section. They cannot attend white schools and will not attend negro schools, according to Governor Brandon, and therefore do not re- ceive the advantages of an educa- tion.
 In committing the sentence. Gov ernor Brandon said he acted with the indorsement of large number of Mobiles best citizens and ten of the 12 members of the jury which inn 
 son, state transfer agent, left Fri day for Mobile and will bring Rivers to Kilby prison.
 BrandOn's stntement.
 Governor Brandons statement in part follows:
 Ignorance will not excuse a per- son who has violated the law, but this case has presented clearly the imperative demand for the education nf a cl of ct 2 a' i,,h hohi hi- tants. Rivers was backwoodsman of Mobile county. He was member of a tribe known as Cajon which grew from the intermingling of the blood of many nations Rivers peo- pie have insisted that they are white. but they have not received the ad- vantages of the white people. They cannot attend white schools and they will not attend negro schools. The result that Rivers grew up without the advantages of an education. He can neither read nor write. Had Alabama taken him in charge in his early youth and educated him he would have been able to distinguish right from wrong.
 Since Rivers was permitted to grow up without an cducatioA some of the responsibility for this offense must be borne by the state and since there is a difference of opinion as to whether Rivers fired in defense of ] justice should be tempered with her cy and that Rivers should spend the remainder of his days :n prison. have therefore. commuted the sen tence from death to life imprison- ment"
 MOORE TAKES STAND
 J. M Moore, state commissioner of agriculture today issued state ment in which he declared that his plan for the expansion of the work of the department would not be changed as a result of the attack of Charles w. Rittenor, president. and Roy C. Bishop. secretary manager of the Alabama farm bureau federation, who charged that the extension ser vice of the federal government is attempting to dictate the policy of the farm bureau.
 Commissioned Moore, charged that the statement of Mir. Rittenour and MT. Bishop was unfair and evidently made because of their own selfish ambitions He said he had en- deavored to acquaint the people of Alabama with his ideas for the CO., operation of all organizations for the development of agriculture and that his plan was approved by the execu- tive committee of the Alabama farm bureau by unanimous vote January a9. He mentioned that those who at