New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-05-26
PARDONs.

The Times has an interesting and generally sound
article by II. W." on Executive Pardons," which
says:
The common accepted opinion in relation to Executive
pardons and accepted error; The popular I'M
preston ) that this prerogatye Is too iree eAerceu ,
In point the other direction Almost
every Governor before he becomes familiar with his duties
gets imposed and having thus ley pad eonyc, 1ose
bounced upon bv tie press drusn and thence
forward careful of his reputation Applications ior parton
strongly Endorsed or infuena sustained are
generally refused Now it happens aud has been so nap
penng forever probably but certainly for ioy Years tnat
the worst offenders. and the cases OF eas' n,lsic ~
Governor powerfully ndorsed Inc mass OF con
yicts many OF whose oGenses committed under strong
temuaiion others with strongly initiating cteuusan.s
while still others much snned against as SHINING HAVE
40 FRIENDS Hall OF them convicted because they are
end and all shut of from the hope OF pardon ior Tue
II" is we repeat on account OF the odinm attaching to
abuses the paronng power that the are IN
ncxibly boted against many 10 whose behalf Executive
seldom strained No OF state has pardoued
as many persons would yfuy have abolyed II be hd
free who have exercised this power most strngeny
who sometimes nay often examined the cases Jnlleay
look back upon this part OF their Executive experience VAIN
least satisfaction. Among the most Conservative IN Tue
matter OF pardon Cows Marcy and Fish Both were
kindly ana sympathetic but both held their symphle undef
discipline Both for time being regarded the small mum
her ardos granted during thor terms as feathers IN their
that Gov FISH they again called upon 10 exercise me
padouiug power without relaxing IN favor OF niechaoo
conycts would md many more TT subjects Tor e!eeHcy
We believe this is true and it is truth that ought
to be more generally known. There are many to-
day serving ont long terms OF imprisonment who
ought TO be parioned and romd be if Governors were
| not habitualy reluctant to encounter the camor
almost certain TO be raised whenever pardon Is
granted no matter how conscentiously and justly.
! One broad rule which should govern Executive &C.
ton in the premises is very plain and obvious Is
this person a hardened, inveterate criminal " Is the
first question that should be asked If he Is one long
known TO the police as deliberate, systematic villain,
gaining his livelihood and seeking wealth by crime,
then no application iorhs release should be even con-
sidered The safety OF the community, the protec-
ton of his family and daily associates, aud even the
well being Of the rascal himself require that he should
be sentenced for the longest term and made to serve
out the very last hour of it. To pardon such beast
Of prey is to do the grossest wrong; and we doubt
that any Governor does it, unless deceived.
/ But there is another CLASSIFY no means small
one-whose case is very different. 1t includes all
those who, habituay honest faithful, useful citizer
/ in a moment of weakness and strong temptation
yield to the aurcments of appetite or avarice, and
perpetratc an oIense which they instantly and ever
more kcenly regret To these, the mere exposure and
shame Of arrest, Indictment trial, conviction and
sentence are far severer punishment than ten years
confinement al hard labor would be- TO the villains
who have deliberately chosen to brave the hazards Of
life of crime We trust Governor will henceiorth
fear 10 pardon those whom he, on careful inquiry,
believes 10 have been but transienty, iatuitously
criminal, and TO be now thoroughly and immoyably
/ repentaut.