The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-21
THE PARDONING PO WEIR.


,,itv durinp the present month, we gave as
ono reason for thislawlessness the abuse of the
pardoning power, and remarked in that con-
nection that Governor Gearys use OF the par
doninp power had not given satisfaction. For
Ibis we have taken to task by the ECen5Rg
f,,,lzetia,. and in refutation of our charge it
makes considerable parade OF the fact that
Geary has pardoned fewer criminals than any
of his predecessors, and further, that every
exercise of the power made during his adj
ministration has been for good and sufficient
reasons" The Bulletin then goes on to say
that
tpTbe mere nnbication Of this list, without word
of comment-without any attempt to explain the
character of the few pardons granted Dy Governor
Geary, is a sufficient answer TO the calumnles OF
his enemies But it can be demonstrated from OIL
cial documents, the authenticity of the statements
OF which it is impossible to question: That these par
Inns were granted to persons who were clearly
titled to them-who were included ia the class for
the relief of which this enormous power was placed
in the hands of the Executive"
Our contemporary is entirely correct in its
figures: it is entirely correct when it says that
these pardons were granted for good and
sufficient reasons"-to Governor Geary, of
course-although we may be permitted to
doubt whether the honest, law-abiding por
tion of the community would be exactly of
the same way of thinking if they knew all tile
circumstances connected aoiM the granting Of
some of these pardonS. The article objected
to by the Bulletin contained no political
illusions whatever; it was a plain statement
of state of affairs which ought to receive
the candid attention of every patriotic citizen.
We endeavored to lay portion of the
blame where we believe that
it Justly belongs. In spite of
the Bulletins figures, we still remain of the
same opinion as before, and our opinion is
based upon exactly the same official record
that our contemporary quotes so confidently.
The question is not whether Governor Geary
has pardoned less or greater number of
criminals than his predecessors, bM aohetter
and not from, selfish notices and to gratify
certain Intriguing politicians; whether
his use of the pardoning power has not been
such as to demand that it shall be taken from
the hands of the Executive in the future and
entrusted to a properly organized court. We
believe that this is a matter of vital import
ance to the.people of this city and State, and
we know of no good reason why we should
refrain from alluding to it now or at any other
time To substantiate our position, we will
quote few cases from the pardon report for
the edifcation of the Bulletin and all others
Interested
No. II on the list we find Henry Ahern con-
Victed of Larceny" and sentenced to four
years in the penitentiary and one thousand
dollars fine. The reasons given were, that
E'the sentence was unduly severe; the
prisoner aoaS pen5tent and dnGiOuS to redeem
hiS character; and having served nearly one
year of his sentence, the ends of justice were
satisfied"
We call the special attention of our readers
to the names of the principal petitioners for
the pardon:-Hons. Jacob E. Ridgway, w.
w. Watt, Samuel Josephs, William McCand-
less, JAS. V. Stokes, d. A. Nagle, Alderman
VIM McMullin, Alderman J. W. Boieau, A. j.
Diamond, John G. Butler, j. B. Beck, w. r.
Gilbert, r. G. Tittermary, VIM. V. McGrath,
and others.
Case No. IS is William Kraft, sentenced tc
ten years in the penitentiary for the crime oi
carson" Pardoned on the recommendation
of Hon. Leonard Myers Rev. w. j. Mann
DuDcIb, HULL w ubOu I1euSZey
General Louis Wagner, Asher Leidy, Alber
Berman, and others, for the reasons thai
''during his long confinement the prisoners
conduct had been such as to inspire conf
denee ia his repentance, and that the re-
mainder of his life would be devoted to use
fulness."
No. %, Michael Shannon, sentenced I,
eighteen months in the Eastern Penitentiar-
for Attempting to produce an abortion, wa
pardoned on the affirmation of the petitioner
that he was convicted on evidence unworth
of credence; that the statements of the alleee
prieved parties were contradictory; that tia
tile prosecution ao0S instituted from anoo0rHi
notices, etc." OF course the petitioners kne
agreat deal more about the reliability of the ev
dence andthe motives of the prosecution tina
the jury, and there was consequently no diff
Guilty in getting pardon from the Governo
Case No. 2S, Isaac Shafer, sentenced {
five years in the Western Penitentiary fl
'.slarceny," and pardoned because he was g
aQOuoaanidc on tie subject Of horse Stedyin
and promised if released to expose an extel
siye gang of horse thieves, and make 9TH
important disclosures.
Itseems to us that the penitentiary won
be the best place for monomaniac of tn
character.
Case No. 36 is that of James Riley, Sc
fenced to six years and ten days in the Eas
ern Penitentiary for Burglary. Pardon'
ON the recommendation of Hon. jam
Subers General Louis Wagner, al