The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-21

seven weeks The publication In the HERALD OF the
names ar those convicts released from the State
Prison by order OF this court during the previous
session so truthfully reflected the indiscriminate
exercise OF the pardoniug power that at the COM
mencement Of this session resolution was adopted
enioining mutual secrecy and directing the Keeper
and oflcals OF the prison to impart no Information
to the representatives Of the press concerning the
number or character OF the convicts pardoned BY
this means 1t was supposed that the vigilance OF
porters would be thwared and the court allowed to
exercise its prerOgative unknown to the public.
However after much labor and patient scrutiny the
result OF their proceedings has been ascertained,
and when the nature OF the offences and character OF
the pardoned Offenders have been perused by the
readers of the HERALD, 1t viii be conceded that the
pardoning power has been abnormaiiy used and JUS
tice Unfortunately desecrated. New Jersey is
tabled to be remarkable for the swift and rigid exc
cuon Of her criminal code, but the glaring manner
IN which mercy is extended to murdcrers and scoun.
drels Of every grade abuses that "twice blessed"
quality and goes far to prove the necessity OF abols
ing the Court Of Pardons altogether. Indeed, move
ment Is on foot to introduce bill In the next Legis
lature to effect such an object or such modification
Of the existing law as VIII enable the public 70 be-
come appraised Of the names OF the applicants for
clemency and thus be afforded an opportunity OF ex
pressing their opinion before the court undertakes
forty prisoners were paroned four Of Whom are
murderers and the remainder highwaymen, burg
lars and criminals OF other grades. The following
history OF the most notorious cOnvictS released Will
De found interesting ana Instructive ana proves the
truth OF the foregoing obseryations:- $3.50 ac
Long Of Paterson r. sentenced for ten years
had four years taken on her term An Assembly
man from Warren county, who was instrumental In
week, but after remaining with him one day she
stealtnly lett and returned 10 the prison. Having
no home or friends the keeper, Mr.. hennl0n. KINDLY
took her in and mas her employed as domestic III
lis own apartments till some suitable place Is pro-
vlded for her. She Is very interesting looking
female, and although her appearance betokens
lack Of intelligence it Is not at all condemnlng.
Peter Gallendorf, who murdered man at lloboken
about seven years ago, ana was sentenced to fifteen
years. hard labor, got eight years rentted. Patrick
Dowdal who killed ferry mas .er at HOboken
and was sentenced to twenty years. Imprisonment,
was pardoned after service OF nne years. Thomas
Laion OF Newark, imprisoned for the mansla lighter
Of Joseph Hebring, was pardOned after serving
three months. The circumstances OF TINS case are
too fresh In the public mind to need comment.
Mlchael Sullivan, convicted in Camden county OI
grand larceny and burglary and sentenced to the
period OF four montns. sullivan was the rngleader
In the late revolt IN the shoe shop, and served IN
three different State prisons. Isaiah Jackson
tcolorea), OF Newark, for burglary and grand lar
ceny, was imprisoned Tor three years, and had haf
the period OF his sentence RENTED Jackson served
two terms at trenton two at sing Sing, three on
Backweiis Island and TWO In the Kings County
Penitentiary. John Cook of Essex county, who
was considered one OF the worst cOnvcts IN the
prison, had third OF his time taken OH through
the influence OF Governor Ward. lie was confined
for burglary. John snay was released after serving
hall his time for committing an atroclous assault
and battery. An ASsenblyman Of Trenton procured
the pardon Of 9 man named MELVILLE, OF Newark,
who was imprisoned for embezzlement while en-
gagged in an insurance office. lie had only served
hall his time. John McCluskey, New York rough,
convicted OF larceny IN Jersey CITY, and sentenced TO
three years. incarceration had only served eighteen
months. The remainder OF the forty were Tor slmi-
lar offences as tile few last mentioned, and were
sentenced for terms varying from two to fifteen
years, and in most cases had been imprisoned Tor
about half that time. The pardon OF Thomas Martin Of
Jersey CITY, for murder0usy stabbing poor Irish
man Just landed IN this country, has been hereto
fore adverted to. 1t was the most glarin0 case Of
all.
It is worthy OF remark that 1t is only within the
past year that such gross abuse or the pardOnlng
power has been known IN New Jersey. There are
murderers remaining IN the prison, and they
sangune that they will be all let loose ut the next
term.