The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-01-25
PARDON BROKERAGE.

from the Harrisburg Patriot.
The pardon of Richard Ficken is not re-
ferred to for the purpose of making COM
plant against Governor Geary. Such
pressure was made on him in this case as few
executives would be able to withstand. The
wealth and social position of the accused,
his hberality in providing for the injured
lad, the appeals of his family, all pleaded
strongly with the Governor for pardon. The
petition, too, was signed by prominent men
in both political parties in Philadelphia, as
pardon rings there are generally made up in
that way. But it is to be observed that the
names of District Attorney Sheppard and of
the judges of the courts are wanting. That
this is a tirst-class case of pardon brokerage
there is not the slightest reason to doubt A
brief account of the circumstances connected
with it will not be out of place here.
On the eve of last st. Valentines day some
lads on Broad street, in the neighborhood of
the residence of MIR. Ficken, were observing
the old custom of sending valentines. They
circulated their missives by slipping them
under the doors of the houses of their neigh
bors. AS some of these caricatures display
the very coarsest humor, they are apt to give
ofense to some recipients. One of these
valentines was pushed under the door of
Ficken. 1t gave him mortal offense, and he
determined to revenge himself on the next
conner. The lad Ourran came along, and
Ficken ran out and shot him through the
leg. Ficken was Immediately arrested, and
held in the sum of twelve thousand five hun
dred dollars bail.
Soon after his arrest, Ficken, who is
wealthy sugar refner in Philadelphia, dis
posed of all his interests in this country and
fled to Europe, leaving, as is generally be-
heved, the amount of the bond in the hands
of a partner named Williams. He was not
long abroad until he learned that the boy,
who was believed to have been mortally
wounded, was slowly recovering. Fcken
then determined to return. This country
was not such a bad one to Give in after
all, even if wealthy men are arrested and
punished sometimes for indulging in the
sport of shooting small boys on ihe
street from cover But he could not re-
turn to the United States safely with this
charge hanging over him. He did not care
about the forfeiture of his recognizances, as
the sum of twelve thousand five hundred
| dollars was a mere bagatelle to man of his
wealth. But it constituted an item of some
consideration to the pardon brokers. Ficken'
wish was to come back with previous par
| don that he might resume his business. With
| his expression of desire to return, the opera
tions of the pardon brokers began. AS a
| preliminary step he paid the lad Curran
| $40, 900 damages.
In the opinion of the world it will be held
| that this wealthy man has behaved quite
handsomely, and was the proper object of
executive clemency. The present purpose is
not to dispute that opinion, but merely to
mention the pardon brokerage ring who pre-
sent themselves fully to public gaze
The recognizance for $12, 500, already for
| feited to the State, is covered by this pre-
pardon, and goes to pay portion of the fees
of the brokers. William B. Mann has been
at the capital for weeks, dividing his atten-
| ton between Dechert and Ficken. Mr.. Lewis
G. Cassidy joins him in assuring the Execu-
tive that there was not the slightest intention
to commit a crime. Why were they not ready
to show this to a court and jury in Philadel-
phia? The answer is simple enough. They
feared a conviction of their client There was
great danger, too, that in civil suit for
damages the father of the lad would recover
greater amount than the 500, 900 which are
paraded with such ostentation of hberality.
| 1t was better, therefore, to carry their case be-