Thursday, 17th June 1915: Governor’s Decision Is Expected This Week, The Atlanta Journal

### Howard Closes His Discussion and Governor Works Late on Case

Governor Slaton worked until late in the night, Wednesday, studying and considering the records and other matters submitted to him in connection with Leo M. Frank's appeal for a commutation of his sentence, and early Thursday morning, the Governor again took up consideration of the case. He is expected to announce his decision some time during the present week.

The hearing before Governor Slaton on Frank's petition ended Wednesday afternoon at 4 o'clock, when Attorney W. M. Howard, of Augusta, concluded his long and powerful argument on behalf of Frank.

Concluding his masterful argument, Mr. Howard left the case in Governor Slaton's hands with the following statement: "In behalf of Leo Frank, his kindred and his friends, we as his counsel profess to you our profoundest thanks for the patience with which you have heard this plea. On behalf of the people in Georgia, who believe that, in patience and in fairness, right can be established and enthroned over wrong, we thank you. And we all thank God, the Maker of us all, that He has, in the person of your Excellency, sanctified a legally tutored mind and a courageous heart to perform His will in this crisis."

"You have been to us in our assurance that you possess these qualities by the guidance, as we believe, of Divine Providence the Pillar of Cloud by day, and you have been to us the Pillar of Fire by night, for we have come to the very Valley of the Shadow of Death. In God's will alone, and in His help working through a clear tutored mind, and through a strong, courageous heart, consecrated to uphold the dignity of the laws of this great State in justice, in moderation, and in mercy, lies our hope. I thank you."