New-York tribune., 1868-04-06

| ercsed the pard0ning' power while In ONCE.
| Their error was natural and perfectly explica-
ble A mistaken pardon always exposes a
Governor to obloquy and suspicion; mistake
in not pardonng has very seldom incurred any
reproach whatever SO our Chief Magistrates
choose the safer course and pardon seldom and
grudgingly.
| As The Post has coarsely assailed Gov.
| Fenton for t-le pardon OF certain con-
! victs, we have made inquiry and ascertained
that the grounds of those pardons were as
| follows:
l. George HigginSon-Sentenced February O.,
| 1857: burglary; 10 years and months-commuted to
| end July /, 1866.
Petition rectes that prisoners father is 20 years OF
age and an ncurable invalid that his mother over oo
OF and feeble and that she has one other
son-an idot-dependent her for support; that the
prisoner is good mechanic capable Of supporting them
Statement Of one sentenced for same ofense-made to
| Dr. Luckey chapain-that Hgginson was not engaged
in the affair, and that he never saw Hggnson before
| the arrest.
| Abraham Beal General Agent Of the n. y. Prison
| Association. recommends the Communication.
District Attorney states that he knows nothing against
Higginson save this matter.
Exov. Seymour, near the close OF MS ter i"uorSou
| the papers as follows:
81 think in this case, IL the conduct of the prisoner
continues to be good e should be d,scaar8ea
| OF the Prison Association. Signe0 H. SEYMOUR
And on jan 81 1866 he writes to Gov Fenton that he
thinks that he should be released and adds: should
have granted him communication, but for the great
| number had granted"
III. George WOod-Sentenced April 1S, 1866 /;
burglars; 4 years. Pardoned Dec. II. 1866
Dr. g. Fisher OF Sing Sing. late yicePresdent OF the
NewYor State Medical Society and late Prison Physi
can that he has examined George Wood; that he
has lost 80 pounds OF flesh In the eight months OF his con
hnement that he has cavities IN his lungs; that he VIII
inevitably die OF pulmonary consumption IN very few
months least" Being fully convinced OF the certainty
OF his death, he "implores" the Governor to grant
pardon.
The District Attorney and Judge who convicted him
unite in saying that his ofense light and that IN
view of his imminent death they ask the pardon Pardon
given 10 prisoners mother
Iii. Alexander Miler-Sentenced Oct. 9,
lsi7; rape life. ardOued Sept 80 1867 after nearly Is
years Imprisonment Prison officials report HIM as an IN
dustrous and obedicnt prisoner; at an interview with
Gov Morgan claimed consent OF the woman The prose
cutting attorney Is dead. The Judge writes that
there trial had nor aidayits taken that prisoner
pleaded guilty by advice OF friends; the woman refused
that Executive clemency may well be bestowed, and adds
that what am now told aud think is entitled to
credit doubt whether the crime was aggravated as
| the Court supposed when Judgment was pronounced
| against him"
". Joseph CoLcn-Sentenced Sept. Is, 1865 /;
| After publication in New-Iork daily papers Tor Two
weeks -.
city Judge Russell writes that the prisoner proved by
several witnesses that home when the burglary
was committed. and could not have done Il. l., ,.,
No record at the Executive Department that nc hau
| ever before been imprisoned
V. William Wilson-Sentenced May -, 1867;
graud Larceny; years and months Pardoned Nov l.
1861 condition that lie sTaightSay 80 10 Dls nome III
Pennsylvania not To return to this state before Nov ~
| 1862
Judge writes that on the evidence he would have sus
pended Judgment had II not been for report Of bad
character that appears that this report was false
No knowledge at the Executive Department OF any pre-
yious Imprisonment Conduct goOd IN prison, 1eTun 0r
Gates of reputable citizens OF New-fayen tlat wilson
been up the Spring of the wien sentenced
an advertising agent Of good character in that city
VI. Leroy RHsker-Sentcnced Aug. 2, 1853 !;
| mausaughtcr; life.
Papers show that Rsher was boy ls years OF age, and
| intoxicated When he committed the ofense. He had
served years Of his sentence The successive ON
Gers OF the prison testify that IN that tlne ne a never
| young man No knowledge Of any previous imprison
ment or bad character.
| VII. John Riley; sentenced Dec. 19, 1854
petit larceny from the person; two years SIX months
Pardoned Nov s 1855 being years service less de-
ducon already earned for good conduct in prison Letter
| of Recorder Hoffman stating that he knows nothing
against Riley except this oonse. and that lhe evidently
was not an eHpet the business Letter Of District
Attorney Hall states the acqueseenee OF the judge and
adds: - would ask that the pardon be made on con-
ditlon that ne shall never again be legally committed
for trial by any magistrate on 1haise 9 Iel3l ana tna
when e snail he committed this pardon shal become
void" Pardon granted " with such condition
VIII. James CLARK and James McDOnad-
sentenced oct s. 1865. Accessory to felony" Par
I0ued Feb p IsCG. Mcdonald the recommendation OF
District Attorney Hall aud Recorder Hoffman; Clark on
recommendation OF city Judge RUSSELL and other III
| nucntial opinions IN each case.
! IX. Charles PdtterSOn-Sentenced Sept. 2S
1864; robbery 10 years Paroned Nov. H. 1865, on recon-
mendatiOn Of Associate District Attorney aud at the re-
quest OF City Judge Russell who states that at the rla
lac d not believe Patterson to be guilty did not believe
complainant aud charged the jury that since the
trial he has been confirmed IN his belief OF the innocence
of Patterson II not known that he was ever before III
prison.
Y. George GlddWin-Scntenccd Sept. 10, 1865 !;
forgery third degree year Pard0ned May O. 1866.
at the urgent request OF l. = Marshal Robert Murray
and T. :. DsIict-Attorney :. G.. Courtney, ard :. H.
Johnson Warden OF sing Sing Prison, the ground that
GladWn could furnish material information and all To
the officers of the United States finding swedges and
dies stolen by Rebels from L. ;. Mint at New Orleaus
aud In detecting cOuntcrfciters.
| City Judge Russell recommends pardon because the
evidence was slight that he doubted his conviction
had he been tried that he imposed the slightest sentence
which tho law permitted; that, had II been within his
discretion. hc would have suspended Judgment No re
port received that he over before imprisoned
| XI. Thomas Meeker-Scntcnccd June 8, 1866 ;
attempt az grand larceny two years and six months Par
doncd condition that he sraghtway TO his home
I'm New Jersey not return to this State before Dee T.
1868 writ his father granted the ground of proba
bile innocence no Information received that he was
ever before in prison Application sustained by Official
| and other prominent influence