The New York herald., 1872-07-10
LIBBY GARRABRANT.
Her Sentence COmmuted to Ina.
prisOnment for Life.
The Court Of Pardons Refuse to Reconaidef
Bumsteds Case.

The long agony endured by Libbie Garrabrant in
regard TO her fate Is now over. The New Jersey
Court Of Pardons met In Trenton on Monday night
and actually disposed OF her case. The Court met
again at nine O'Clock yesterday morning. and
closed the business OF the term at ten. 1t was ONLY
after this adjournment that the Injunction OF
seoresy was removed and the announce
ment was made that Libbe's sentence
was committed to Imprisonment for nfe De-
spatches were at once sent to Paterson-0ne
in particular being addressed to the Sheriff OF
Passaic County to inform him that he was relieved
from q most painful duty. Libbie's counsel and
District Attorney John Hopper, who prosecuted
her. were In Trenton when the intelligence was
conveyed Now that that the sentence has been
cOmmuted, it is proper TO state that the premature
report OF the Communication, which found its
way through the press to all quarters and buOyed
up the unfortunate girl with hope, had much to do
with the decision Of the Court Of Pardons. There is
reason whatever to doubt that but for that pre-
mature report Libbys chances OF escaping the scaf
fold would have been very slim. 1t is the time
hOn0red practice OF the Court to consult the Judge
and prosecutor in all cases where an appeal for
clemency is made, and neither the Judge nor the
prosecutor could see the force OF the ap-
peal for mercy In this case. The men,
bers OF the Court seemed to exhibit o
sense OF relief when they had disposed of this very
perplexing case. Among the 1000 signatures to
the petition were many very worthy citizens, whose
representations In any case would be entitled to
great consideration.
Libbe received the intelligence with aDout as
little emotion as she did BEFORE In fact, 1t seems
to make little difference to her whether she lives
dies, and now her greatest trouble to consist
in the fact that she has got to leave Mr. and Mrs.
Goodrdge, who have been 80 kind to her, she says.
The news from Mr.. Tuttle was very welcome to the
wardens good wife, as may be supposed, the more
so because Of the anxiety to which they were put
by the first erroneous report.
Another desperate effort was made on behalf OF
Bumstcd, the Jersey Cty municipal convict but the
Court refuse to recede from its determination. AS
was stated in the HERALD two weeks ago, the Court
at the very first meeting received petition In his
BEHALF but declined to interfere in the case.
Bumsted's personal appeal to the Court
since injured his chances very much It was
Court were moreover, made aware that a local
Jersey City paper drawing its life blood from the
public treasury through the Ring, has not ceased to
malgn the grand and petit jurtes In connection
with this case and ascribe unworthy motives to
those who promoted the ends OF Justice. Had Mr..
Bumsted thrown himself upon the Court, and ap-
peaed for mercy when found guilty, he would
probably have received some consideration. His
frlends on the other hand, have endeavored to re-
lease him at the expense of the law, and this was
o fatal course.
The Jersey City Ring was well represented in
Trenton yesterday. Orestes Cleveland, cx-Con-
gressman was tue exponent OF the democratic elc-
ment James GOpsill, exMayor OF the republican;
John Anness, OF the Legislative delegation that
helped to pass the Bumsted charter while the con-
tractors were represented by .. w. Wtcomb. These,
with many others, laid siege to the Court OF Par
dons, but their opportunities were unavaillng.
When they found that hope had fed they took their
departure for the State Prison to offer consolation
TO Mr. Bum3ted, who, after all, has sympathizers
among the honest citizens OF Jersey Oity ana mighs
associations. Great sympathy Is felt for Ills wife
and family, who are plunged into deep ail!lctlon.