Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1868-09-30
PARDON OF MICHAEL GAMBLE.
From the Madison .Ionrnal ]

cleate al impression that Gov. falrchIld
yielded to improper influences in issuing
a pardon on the 9th of August last to
one Michael Gamble, imprisoned at Wau-
pun Tor murder in tie second degree.
We have examined the papers relating
to the case on file in the Executive office,
and have endeayored to ascertain the gen
eral facts. As far as we can learn they
are as follows:
Michael Gamble, an Irish farmer in the
town of Ixonia, near Watertown, was con-
Vlcted OF the crime Of murder in the sec
ond degree before the Jefferson Circuit
Court, February "a, 1868. Il appeared
III evidence that he had returned home
from " atertoWn III state of INVESTIGATION
that his wife received him with harsh
words and finally struck him on the head
with an earthern dish, and thereupon re-
treated into another room; that he at
tempted to follow but she held the door
closed, whereupon he took foTling piece
and fred it at the door; the charge passing
through the door, entered her body aud
inflicted wound which resulted in death.
-Gamble asserts that he supposed the
gun was unloaded, having left it il that
condition, and that he only poured some
powder into it and exploded it to frighten
his wife. He explains that his son had
loaded the gun in his absence and had put
1t away without discharging it, contrary
to their usual practice.
In May, 1866, II. 3. Williams, an at
torney at " tertoWn, made an application
10 the Governor in CANDLES behalf for a
pardon, fling sundry papers in support of
the application. As we are informed, the
Governor at that time was of the opinion
that the case was one in which the execu-
tive clemency should ultimately interpose,
but that the prisoner deserved longer
punishment than he had then received.
He accordingly denied the application.
In November, 1867, the application was
again renewed, and a second time denied
No further effort was made by Gamble
until IN June last.
Gamble then communicated with some
prominent Lrishmen in this city, acquain-
tanees and friends Of his, asking them to
engage the seyiees of some attorney here,
10 prepare and prosecute his case anew,
and informing them that he was able and
willing TO pay libera1fee for such services
in the event OF successful result These
men called on Mr.. E. w. Keyes, of this
city, and engaged him to undertake the
case. Mr. <. Immediately set about its
examination, looking over the papers on
file in the Executive Office and concluded
that by adding certain other papers and
recommendations, that the Governor
could no,longer decline to issue the pardon
On the 9Th of July last, Mr.. Keyes
advised Gamble by letter as to the pros
poets of his application, and soon after
conferred with him personally on the sub
ject, ascertaiuing all the facts bearing in
the prisoners favor to support the appIi-
cation. In the meantime, Gamble signi-
fed his appreciation Of the arrangement
made by his Irish friends here with Mr..
Aeyes in regard to the fee to be paid the
latter. Dir. Reyes thereupon proceeded
to oh ain the additional papers and to
have them fled for the Governors exam
lnation in connection with those already
before him. The result was that after
re examination and full consideration Of
the case, the Governor concluded that the
time had arrived when pardon might be
properly granted.
1t now remains to consider whether
the Governor was wrong in issuing the
pardon.
The papers presented to him and on
which he acted were as follows: LIST, tie
petition Of the prisoner himself; ID,
letter from Judge Orion before whom the
prisoner was convicted, strongly urging
pardon, and setting forth that at The time
'f conviction doubts existed as to how
nuch weight should be given to the al
egations respecting the prisoners iguor-
NICE that the gun which he fred was
oaded; Sd, a petition signdd by d. W.
Balloo, j. A. Hadley and other we'll
Known and respectable citizens of Water
own and vicinity, setting forth that Ia
heir Judgment the prisoner had beer
uffciently punished 4th, letter sign
ID by nine Of the jury which convicted
lim the nine being all the members Of
he jury remaining in the State, asking |
or his pardon and stating that their YER
let was compromise, and was finally !
greed upon with the expectation aud |
lope, that, after proper time had elaps-
d, the prisoner would be a subject of |
he executive clemency; 5th, the minutes
# the testimony upon which the conyic- |
ion was founded; 9th, a letter from
dram Barber, Jr,, attorney for the pro-
ecution, declaring that in his Judgment
he case was one in which a pardon ought |
o be granted after SO many years of pun-
shment and, 9th, a certificate as to the |
: cd behavior and appar Mt reformation
Il the prisoner, by Mr. Cordier, the State
Prison Commissioner.
We do not. hear that there is any com |
,laint that the pardon WIS issued. On |
he contrary, the Governor has been blam-
ID for Withholding it SO long. The only |
eature of the transaction which exeites |
is the payment of large attor-
ley's fee for services rendered in prepar |
ng the case for the pardon. Of that the |
Governor knew nothing. 1t was mat
er between Gamble, his Irish friends
lere, and Mr.. Keyes It is custom,
We understand, with most attorneys to
lccept large fees for moderate services
when they are offered Moreover, it is a
We understand, with attorneys in
uch cases to render services upon the
condition that they shall receive nothing
lnless successful; and to make the condi-
ional fee as large as possible to cover
ime and labor bestowed upon other and
,,nc,,nnncrf,nl nncnc In tho rrhnln n3{..in.