The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-03-25

Inc SGAt6n 1konO FaTu000s
TO TIE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
FnIow CrTDuSs-At . mte ing Of the citizens OF the
county Of Richmond held the II inst, take into
consideration the conduct OF Myron H. Clark Govsrnor
of this lae par onDg divers persons convicted at
erin ina recently held 10 this county, OF corruption
oce extorton and riot at the pos the unds 'sgned
were appoint ted q committee TO ADDRESS you in their
names and their behalf the subject of ii
tive conduct q matter affecting only the free ad
mnistration OF justice in this county, but In the ate
The facts to which thy would earnestly entreat your
attention are these:-ln the month OF in
dicmen;s were pre- sented by the Grand Jury OF this
county, against The ,dore Vsrmiye Peter But Thomas
Carrot and Others members Of the Board Of Town Au
ditors the town of Souhed for having wilfu and
corrupty audit and allowed divers illegal bills, chiefly
pIesented by themselves that own amounting
all nearly 00o Separate indictments at
same time presented against for having wlfuly and
crrupy exsorted rom sad town. under color of tleir
offices OF Justices of the Peace Town Superintendent Of
Common Schools and Town CeIk moneys nount az in
the aggregate - than ST. 200 At Criminal 'oavt
held this county In February last, they agsa
indicted for aIepetition of these offences ors
and riots AZ the pols wh,h noictme
now pending and undetermined. The prisoners
brought trial he first Of he above Indictments at
the court IN February last after fair aud par'ia
hearing convicted and sentenced TO fifteen days. ia
prsonment in the county jail, and TO pay foe OF
$3.50 each. They then sevsrsiy pleaded guilty TO tas
indie ments for extorton and were sentenced ea:n I,
pay fine Of 500.
At the sane court Abraham B. vaudsrzse aud David
hcLyman indicted uied ami sci, first, FOR
wtuy and corrupty disturbing the electors aud pre-
siding officers at the annual town mee.ing and sscsnd
destroy the ballot boxes =. the election and for
consummarg the conspiracy by kicking theo over while
trucrion of the ballots They respectively
fenced to three months imprisonment In the county jail
and to pay fine Of $25.
When these somewhat notorious offenders thus
brought to justice, almost universal feeling OF salts
faction pervsded the community. We had long been
kept in terror riots at the polls frauds upon the rea
sury and high crimes in official stations that
there prospect of relief all breAthed fresr and
Congratulated ourselves on the future. very large
Of without dis
tncon party, addressed to the prosecuting counsel
letter, highly complimentary to him, 10 the Court and
to the jury for the honest fearless and faithful dis
charge Of their respective duties and congratuaug
ctizers the prospect o. purer and healthier state
OF affairs.
But this bright picture destined to be cloud
ed The Court adjou ned on the 10th of February, and
soon got into circulation that appsaon was
to be to the Executive tor the exercise of his Gle
pency in behalf OF the prisoners The District Attorney
Immediately addressed him letter. abiding to the ru
NOR, and requested TO be notified of any such application
and 10 be furnished with copies of the papers presented
in order that he might lay before his Excelency the ties
,mt ny and documents sessary to enable him to ariv
at correct understanding Of the cases.
To this respec full municaion the Governor voucn
saed reply but the l0.h instant the Nstrct A..
Ct their intentioni to make such application, without
specifying the time when the facts papers upot
which II was to be made
Overlooking the dis,ourteous treatment Of his Excel
lency and determined fully to discharge his duty the
Dis riot Attorney again wrote him, enclosing the tesu
mony 10 the cases. with abstract OF the indictments
and sentences
Again his Excellency deigned not take notice the
public prosecutor and first in .tion that was re-
ceved OF his action was announcement in the pub c
prints that all tho convics had been pardoned the 14tn
instant and borne BY their friends In triumph from the
prison amid bone6res and rejocings Without ,rd
Of commuI ication with NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. assign
Dga solitary for his conduc-wh stroke OF his
pen he the whole action OF COURT uries
ard our public prosecutor throws open the prison DOORS
and once more turns loose the criminals upon society
emooaens ed to repetition OF their offences The
dignAnt community. pail OF gloom WAS spread
over the while island-An indefinite sense Of in
security and dread was in the bosom of every citizen
We felt that could longer look to laws for p-o
tection-that our courts were powerless-o1r public
ecuor paray zeGour treasury expsed to plumber,
arc our ballot boxes at the mercy of lawess ruff ans
We know not whittier to turn for the protection Of
property and our rights. spontaneous call was made
this shameless outrage and to consult upon of
safety for the future One of the numerous, re-
speclable and Intelligent bodies ever assembled in the
paldored ccnvicts and their friends in a Ozark
striking commentary on the benefcence of executive
clenency-to overave and suppress the voice Of the
meeting. But law and order triumphed, In obedience
10 the resolutions OF that meeting have addressed to
You this expression Of their sentiments.
ment Of facts; AID faithful picture Of their conse
quences for which We solicit your earnest considera
party feeling. for the principle involved in this
wholesale and shameless exercise Of the execu
tive prerogatve 10 infinitely and holier than any
political considerations, and alike 'enng to men
Of all parties and all persuAsons. The zeal Of parti
sapshp incident to every good strive to drag
above all such influences. We believe that similar
abuse Of the pardcnDg power net to be found 10 the
history Of any free people We believe that taxing a
1t ooes from our citizens the protection of the laws 1t
tends directly TO anarchy and confusion. Coming TOO,
at time when crime Ia fearfuny the increase In
countrywhen corruption in office stalks abroad ct
dky over the whole length and breadth Of our andand
when the public prosecutors Of cur neshboring counties,
ccnessrg their inabity to srapple With it lay down
their indictments in despair il ia we'll calculated to
stArtle IL best and to
trembe for the permanency Of our ins.i utions.
The whole Union is sstated for the projection Of 'h'
Governor the poor privilege Of enforcing the laws foe
protection Of its We dread the bansful effects Il
rect aeministrstion Of justice in Richmond county
s ne Ing &C. as it thur. shs
suitstioA with our authorities, without respond
ing to communications from officers with
out assigning one reason to satisfy an outraged anc
in every county Of the State whenever similar tempts
ten timilar smount Of personal or party nfuence
is brought to bear upon hs To-day the is ours;
But you may tod that laboring under excl
ment. It is too true. We excited-we are IT'D G.
nsnt free people, entitled to the protection of
Government not well pref calmness under such
outrages. Lethargy, In time ofsuch danger would BE-
fatal symptom We battling for the protection of our
laws-to uphold eourts-to preserve the purity OF
eections-.o guard treasury from plumber and
is there nothing in this eonduc. OF the executive to justify
our fears and our rdgna ion? And when We utter with
emphans the Language of truth. shall be told thai
are unculy exceof Nj We feel strongly. We speak
strongly. Apathy would be criminal under such cir
cumstanees. Woe wait this government when its citi
aney submit to the geossest encroachments of
the txecutivewhen they become ind ferent the
shment Of crime careless about the administration of
their laws.
We that various pleas have been devised and
put forward by portion of the press, to thu
Governor from the IN gnaon which hs conduct has al
ready aroused IN this country and which II is well
calcu Ia ted throughout the Be not de-
n n vi n a
mitigation.
II not true, has been allejgcd tina. political
cem.nt had aught 10 DO with the conviction of these
II Is not true that there doubt OF their guil
for they plead guilty three of the FIVE indictments
the remaining t1o their guilt established $50
all doubt The whole theory Of the pardoDing pow-,
understand it, ia that it should be exerted only in
favor Of those who have been convicted by perjury,
whose innocence has been by testimony which
has come to light subsequent 70 their trials.
It intended be used party purposes or
TO be exercised for the OF party personal