Nantwich, Sandbach & Crewe Star — 1890-04-12 ()

THE PONY AND TRAP AND SCENE OF THE MURDER.  to be sent to tbe wxitors by a man who starved his family. This, it is believed, was one of the direct causes which led to the crime. To return to the rcceipt of the Home Secretary's deci,ion, the public regarded it with all the more indignant surpriai becauso it was well known that the police engsged in discovering the perpetrators of the crime, were firmly convinced that it was George who struck the fatal blows, and this belief is strengthened bp the contemplation of circumstances and reasonable possibilities, into a statement of which lack of space prevents us entering. And so, even those who refrained from signing any petition to influence the fate of both prisoners, unhesitatingly did all that in them lay to avert the effect of Mr Matthews' doom on Richard Davijes. It was not that they were induced to do ihis by any agreement or sympathy with the jury's recommendation on account of their youth, but because they believed the Home Secretary had made a distinction between the prisoners which the jury never intended should be made, and that both boys should share the same fate, whatever that might be. And so the excitement of the publicamazed at the irrationality and injustice of the Home Secretary's decree—grew. Editors of different newspapers were flooded with correspondence, written in indignant tones,the Home Secretary was be seeched and denounced by turns, and soon became as many papers said—the most unpopular man in the three kingdoms. In Saturday morning's papers appeared a communication from Mr A. T. Jackson, the foreman of the jury, in which he said their recommendation was on behalf of both, that the jury were firmly of opinion that if one was more guilty than the other i was George, who perhaps struck his father while sitting at his side in the trap, and Mr Jackson significantly added, "If I had thought such a course would have been adopted I would have remained in the jury-room for a month rather than agree to a verdict, for I strongly contend, whatever the punishment, both merited the same, whether hanged or reprieved." This important and authoritative statement did much to encourage the rightly-directed agitation for Richard's reprieve. Mr Pedley was the recipient of hundreds of letters and telegrams, containing suggestions and strong expressions of disapproval at Mr Matthew's action. Telegrams from correspondents in all parts of the country stated that the decision had given great dissatisfaction. The Crewe murder was a topic on every lip, and its notoriety increased every hour. It was in this state of public feeling that Mr Pedley made three successive appeals to the Home Department for a reeonsideration of the sentence, asking for an interview, and sending press comments. Meanwhile, efforts on behalf of the poor youth were continued in another direction. As one newspaper said, "there is a certain obstinacy in the character of Mr Matthews that makes him proof against criticism," and, it might ;have added, against rational argument. And so the expedient was suggested, and the suggestion acted upon. of appealing to the Queen, to exercise herself to what is called "the merciful prerogative of the Crown." ' This course of action was largely adopted by gentlemen from all parts of the country, who sent urgent telegraphic messages to the Queen, then staying at Ant-les-Bains, in the Smith of France.  And then, on Sunday morning, Mr Pedley received a briefly worded communication from the Home Secretary, In which he refused to reconsider his decision, or to grant the temporary respite of Richard asked for. So far as this Quarter wab cencermed. all hope was abandoned and the energies of all were bent on the appeals to Her Majesty. At 10.30 on Sunday night the following telegram was despatched from the Crewe Railway Station: