New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-05-08
CALLICOTs LAST DA ISL PRISON.
He Refuses to Ask for q Pard0n-An
Interview with tho Ex Speaker.

He Refuses to Ask for q Pardon-An
| Interview with the Ex Speaker.
| Having an hour to spare, few days
since, I concluded to occupy it by paying a
semb'y, exUDited states Treasury Agent,
ex Collector of the Third Internal Revenue
District (Brookiyn), and now for nearly two
years an inmate OF the Albany Penitentiary
under conviction of being engaged in q
consp racy to defraud the government of the
United States.
l had seen him once before in the peniten-
tiary, but still associate him in my mind
with the taStily dressed, cultivated, present.
able men of the world-as had known him
| In his better davs. Cailicot was received
here IN June, 1868, to serve out a two years
term Of imprisonment. Under the rules of
the penitentiary, for good conduct
certain time is deducted from the
term, and in Callicot's case it is the
extreme limit-about two months. Un-
der the terms of his sentence he is directed
to be held until, in addition to the term of
Imprisonment he salts les the government
by paying a fine OF teu thousand dollars
The tine if paid Or remitted will leave him
free to go. For this reason the severity of
the prison rules has been recently relaxed in
his case. When last saw him his hair was
cropped close to his head, and his face was
shaved. The hair on his head has been suf-
fered to grow to the length he ordinarily
wore 1t, and the mustache be formerly wore
Was approaching its old fulness. He was
still atured in the prison unitorm-a coarse
check shirt, gray round jacket and vest, and
gray pantaloons. He was stouter than when
saw him last, but an unhealthy prison pail
lor has settled upon his face, and saddcr
still, he seemed to have settled down TO con.
tentment with his position the jail seemed
no longer irksome.
He met me in the old way. and the prison
clothes did not disguise the gentleman in
manner, at all events. When the converse
ton turned on his affair, he told me that
under the regulations of the prison his tenn
OF service had expired. OF course the nom
payment OF The fine stood in the way of his
liberation.
Correspondent-But there will, surely, be
no difficulty n your friends securing re-
mission of the tine by pardon.
Callicot-l will not ask a pardon from the
government. 1t would be an admission of
guilt, aud whatever my offenses may have
been, was innocent Of the crime tor which
1 was sent here. In the early part of my
Imprisonment, st tie earnest solicitation Of
nv mother and some friends, I aided in
efforts to obtain my liberation by pardon,
and 1t is said that an order for my release
was made out in the closing hours of Mr..
Johnson's administration, but it was over
looked in the confusion and hurry of the
last hours. No effort has been made since,
and | desire none made now.
respondent-Well, you do not propose
to remain here from mere stuObornness, do
you?
Callicot-I suppose you know that steps
were taken to teet the legality Of my convic-
ton. II favorable decision sh uld be
made by the Supreme Court Of the United
States l will be set at liberty without any
favor, and desired it so.
Correspondence think you are standing
Oh techuicality. don't think would DO
this. If I were you, and could obtain
pardon, would gladly take it. will be
glad to be one to help you.
Callicot-What are few months or less
in prison to me now? l have suffered all
the punishment in the disgrace of coming
here; that is all over now; l think, some
times, will be as happy here as outside.
Correspondent-But your two girls-they
must be young women now?
Callicot-One of them is quite grown up.
They are with my mother and are we'll taken
care of. They are still at school. want
to leave here able to say that should never
have been sent here. That is what hope.
Il is not, however, proper to give the rea-
sons which seem to influence the views of a
man whose lot is a very hard one. They ap-
pear st all events to be good ones. Time
has softened or obiterated all resentments
against Callicot, and l was assured that
there would be do difficulty in getting every
member of the Legislature, without respect
to party, to join in a petition for his pardon.
1t is lot pardon and release, but release
alore, that Cailicot hopes for.-Aibdny Cor
Brooklyn Eagle