Tuesday, 25th May 1915: Texas Lower House Asks Commutation Of Frank’s Sentence, The Atlanta Constitution

The House of Representatives of Texas has adopted a Resolution requesting the Governor of Georgia to commute from Hanging to Life Imprisonment, the Penalty imposed on Leo M. Frank for the killing of Mary Phagan. Other State Legislatures have taken similar action.

Ex-Congressman W.M. Howard, who is to represent Frank before the Prison Commission, is in the City. He says that he believes that public opinion is rapidly coming to the conclusion that Frank is either innocent or should have further opportunity of proving his innocence.

"The people at last doubt Frank's guilt," he says, "and that doubt, they say, entitles him to a Commutation. Time may show that Frank is not guilty and if he is hanged, the people of Georgia may some day regret the Hanging of an innocent man."

The Prison Commission will take up the Petition of Frank next Monday morning at 10 o'clock and the Hearing promises to be one of the most interesting and important that that body has ever been called upon to consider.