The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1869-10-28
The Gamble Pardon.

We give below the remarks in full OF
Governor Fairchild, in his speech here on
the evering of the 18th, upon the charges
made against him by portions OF the
Democratic press, that he had corruptly
used the pardoning power in the Gamble
case. This portion of his speech was
taken rer6atim from his lips by Mr.. saw
yer, the short hand reporter for the Dis
trict Court
II hold in my hand a portion of the.
Milwaukee NsDs. In one column there
is long important statement. l Will not
read it to all you. 1t is the alleged release
of a convicted murderer, that an attorney
might receive a 81 900 fee. You in Osh-
kosh have heard of it frequently. The
charge against me by the Democratic pa.
pers in this state is, that / had conspired
to release from prison by pardon, one
Gamble, convicted for the murder of his
wife, in order that friend of mine might
receive fee of 81 1000. / never answered
la newspaper statement since. / have been
in political life, and / thought l never
would. do it know 1t the request OF
friends l know that the people OF this
state, who have always known me, VIII
not believe such a charge as that against
me. know that no one will accuse me
of tampering with the pardoning power
of the state If didn't know it, | would
sink with shame into my grave. The
Neaos, in another column, comments upon
that-treats it with fairness it is true, but
very clnpingly. 1t says: we are not
prepared to believe that Gov Fsirchlld
accepted bride for the pardon off muir
derer. The facts stated do not necessari-
| ly lead to this conclusion; but this state
ment, until refuted, does show that the
Governor is surrounded by men who do
not scruplc to use their political end Off
cisl influence with him to barter with
crime and compromise public justice for
pay
In answer to all these charges / have
but few words to say. Any man that
doubts the justice of that pardon, l refer
to the Senate Journal of 1858, in which
he will find my printed report, made in
accordance with the law, giving the rea
Aons for the pardon Of Gamble. TIL scharge
made against me will be spread by the
Democratic papers, but when the report
was made to the Legislature by me no
man dared that Legislature and
bring those charges there for investiga-
Ition. The Legislature is the only tribu-
nal in the State au horized TO investigate
the official conduct of state officer.
Why did not they prefer the charges
last winter? There has been no Legisla-
ture in this state which would allow a
lGovernor to SO abuse the pardoning pow
er, and hope to God there never will be.
IN6breath of it was heard until again
Icame before the people as the nominee
of the Republican party as Governor.
Then it is rehashed in the Democratic
lpapers for campaign purposes.
In answer to these charges that have
tempered with the pardoning power
but not receiving bride, no man dare
Icharge me with that--the stateaaent that
refused the pardon to one OF the attorneys,
and did grant it when application was
lmade by e. w. Reyes, in order that he
might, with my knowledge, receive a
Thousand dollar fee from the criminal.
have only to say that never heard E w.
IKeyes' name mentioned in connection
with this petition, until heard it some
days after the issue of the psIdon in con-
nectlon with these charges. He never
lspoke to me directly or indirectly on the
lsubiect, and never knew that he was an
Iattorney for Gamble. Neither Col. Spoon
er nor sny other man ever asked me 20
grant that pardon as a personal favor
Nor did any person ever request me to
grant any pardon as personal favor.
/ No man who knows me will ever dare TO-
Ii never knew the circumstances IN the
case as reported by the papers, until days
after the pardon was issued, and now only
know them by newspaper report. l new
er heard of fee of any amount being
paid to any person--had no knowledge OF
lany such transaction. The pardon was
Justly due to the man, and was granted
upon the merits of the case, as shown by
the papers on file in the Executive office
Ny action would nave been the same had
Mr.. Williams, the original attorney made
the last request for me to look over the
case with the additional papers then put
on file. l court the fullest investigation
of the case"
The following is copy of the report
in the Senate Journal of 1868, referred to
in the above: 1T
pardon granted Michael Gamble on
the following grounds The Judge be-
fore whom he was tried, in recommending
pardon. states that the evidence left very
strong doubts in his mind as to the pris-
joners's guilt of the crime of murder.
Nine of the jury who brought in the yer.
Idiot, the other three not being found, unite
in asking d pardon, and state that upon
the trial the evidence. established many
palliating circumstances in favor of the
prisoner that he wss at the time in q
state of irtoxication, and was enraged by
acts Of violence committed upon him by
the deceased, and that as compromise oil
their conflicting opinions they finally
agreed upon and rendered verdict of