Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-11-25
Henry Welcomed
DEBATE IN THE SENATE.

On the bill 10 commute the sentence OF
Henry Welcome the murderer of Rus
sell in Hinesburg;
Mr.. Carpenter called for statement
Of facts from the committee. Respond |
ed to by Mr. Hartshorn, that the only
thing that appeared before the commit |
tee was nearly repetition of the argu'
ment made before the Houee by Mr.. Bal
lard.
Mr.. Gardner stated further in behalf
of the committee giving in substance
the circumstances of the confession upon
which Welcome was convicted without
which confession no conviction could
have been procured.
Mr.. Camp stated briefly the reason that
would govern his vote in this case. Ii
is peculiar and important case. He
related his personal knowledge OF the
boy and believed him to be as shrewd
and smart and cunning as any boy he
ever knew. He thought he would cut
mans throat for ten dollars as soon as
for thousand. For that other reasons,
he should vote to let the law take its
course.
Mr.. Eddy said the question is, Shall
the sentence be committed? The pun
ishment of imprisonment for life is one
of great severity and considered by
many more severe than death itself.
May it not be true that this young
man is destitute Of the mental power
that renders him morally responsible.
Inquiries relative to his after and pres
ent appearance had led him at least to
give a coloring of doubt to mental con-
dition that evidenced responsibility. He
should be called upon with the light he
now had before him to vote yes upon
this bill.
Mr.. Bailey said they had nothing be-
fore the committee, there was nothing
before this body, that would have the
slightest tendency to prove that Henry
Welcome was not legally convicted OF
murder. Without the slightest testimo-
ny before US, to commute his sentence
Are we TO presume upon rumors that he
was not legally convicted, provided that
we put it upon that ground? The argu-
| ment that he would not have been con-
victed had it not been for his confession,
| loses its force in the fact that the Su-
preme Court decided that he was legal,
| ly convicted. His age and his moral
responsibility, which have been alluded
to, were reviewed. He apprehended that
he was mentally capable to commit the
deed, and the fact of his doing it in the
manner in which he did, was sufficient
answer to the extenuating argument Of
age. If he is mentally or morally def.
cient, we should have some evidence be
sides mere rumors before We commute
his sentence.
Mr.. Gardner favored his commute
| ton for the very reason that his moral
status was such that he would have muir
dered man for dollar from his youth
up. as had been stated. The statement
made by the Hon. Senator from Lamoillt
was enough to satisfy him that there wa;
something morally or mentally wrong
about that boy. He thought medical
examination should have been institut
ed to aid in determining bis response bill
ty. Other reasons were urged in favor
Of Communication.
Mr.. Eddy continued the argument il
favor of communication, referring to tn,
effort which he made to appear as al
honest boy, by going abroad and com
mitting murder to procure money to pa
his attorney, as he had agreed. III,
thought this was additional evidence o
his insanity, or mental obtuseness.
Mr.. Dickerman was one of those thai
thought he ought to pay some attention
to his duties to the State as well as to in
dividuals. From all that he had beer
able to learn about this boy, he is {
hardened criminal, and for this reason |
shall vote against Communication. Mr.
Dickerman further reviewed the argu
ment in favor of Communication. There
is no evidence that he is not person o.
ordinary capacity. He is morally
wrong, or he would not have committee
the act, but he was morally response
bic, and for this reason he should yot,
against the bill.
Mr.. Benedict alluded to the trial, an(
did not attach all the Importance which
had been attached to the confession. Ii
his opinion there was sufficient evidenc
without the confession for a moral con
viction.
Mr.. Carpenter said he felt better 70
the discussion, as he was not willing tina
a matter of SO grave Importance SHOULD
be passed upon without due ,onsidera
ton. He proceeded to give the reason.
that would influence his vote, and relat
ed his personal business contact with tn,
boy as States Attorney in certain cases
He took no exception to the trial h,
was fairly tried and fairly convicted
This is not a new question. 1t did no
become him to say this was not bat
boy; he was bad boy. He was MOI
willing to take the responsibility and The
reflection for the balance of his life thai
he had sent this boy to the gallows. He
should vote for this bill in consequence
of his extreme youth as one reason.
Mr.. Eddy briefly replied to the argu
ment of Mr.. Dickerman and furthe,
urged the passage of the bill, making
allusion to the fact that but one person
younger than this had ever been execut
ed for murder in the United States.
Mr.. SAKE had been satisfied that thi.
Young man having come to the age of