New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-01-07

Total. .--..-.......-.....-...lili
The number paTdoned from these prisons during
the last year was lO4 The annual list of reprleves
commutatoDS end pardons, will be transmitted IN
special communication. In the exercise of the par
dOnlDg power, one Of the mos! embarrassing and
delicate pTefOgallVes thai can be cOnnded 10 human
discretion, | have endeavoied to act upon correct
views OF justice, humanity and public policy Error
ID the cOnVlcuou, uncue severity OF punishment. loss
OF heaiiS, produced or aggravated by leDg connne-
ment, ana service rendered 10 toe State b. the dis
coTeIy OF accompllces, have been regarded as the
ohly legitimate grounds for the Indulgence OF
clemency. In the discharge Of this difficult duty
have been impressed with the importance OF a care
FIJI revision OF our criminal laws for the purpose of
making the punishment of certain crimes more pro-
poTnonate TO the grade OF offeBse Some OF the pro-
Visions OF our statutes productive of inequalities
which violate the sense of Justice and this evil IS
aggravated by want Of uniformity IN the action OF
the local courts.
The amount fixed by the present law to dis,in-
euish grand from petit larceny, should be increased
and IN certain the Rlalt1aa term OF lmDrison-
ment IL the State Prison, which Is no est shed
at two years, ought TO be reduced TO one year
An extraordinary number of capital offenses and
considerable Increase IN other crimes have made
the last memorable year n the Judicial annals of
the state. This melancholy fact must be attributed
IN large Gegree 10 the prevalence Of Intempereuce
IN our cities and larger towns growing evil which
has become the most prolific source OF wretched.
ness, pauperisIn and crime
During the yesr, seventeen persons were fotnd
guilty OF murder and three OF arson in the frst de-
gree ard several more are II prison awaiting trial
OF the Dunber thus convicted SIX have been sxs-
cuiec the sentences OF I'VE have been committed 10
imprisonment for life, and nine await the time 6xed
OF TO be Fixed for their execution The dnty Of The
Executive IN relation 20 crimes punishanie u1Th
death II highly responsible aRd painful In mnst
cases strong appeals are made BY the friends ana
relatives OF tue convict for al exercise OF the mar
coming power and II tins effot proves upsuccss a.
iu the Courts are resorted 70 for relief fequeotIv
upon points having little connection with the gu-it
or HiOctnce OF the accused. but involving me-
some question OF form or regularity in th~ BRO eel
inss IN prosecutions where hum an life Is az sttke
the greatest care should be observed 10 see mo- 81
A1t me CONVICTION IS intnnsically Just, bu. IN a..
coz VA a.cs WIN established principles Of law
NY lsnecnons upon the subject nave produced
oenei ana1 me enos ofluStce would Re promo.eS bv
su01lIlAe every capital conviction to review b.
.he Juose OF tie Supreme Court before fxios day
iSI me execution Of the sentence Hshouh De mad.
&c GUY OF me presiding Judge ofthe Over AMI Ter
m1hef "a which the trlal Is held TO report me avi
csnee Az az tie proceedings 70 The Supreme Cont
ei ne D-suics, anc thAt tribunal should D. yecvirs
4, rs neat general term, 70 examine the case ana d.
eloe apon tne Legality II the conviction m ths~
sohhf@ NE s<z'ercs they saoald Ex day for it,eI.