Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-11-01
PARDONS-
Rules and Regulations of the tSher-
nor Governing the Draining OF F"T-
GOms

KuIr- Hnd Regulations Of The ,i or.
dOHs.
The laree number Of convlcts IN
the State PRISON, and the increns-
inls dcmaUd for executive clemency,
render the exercise OF that high
DrerogatIve, more than ever, u very
delicate and difficult duty. The APP
plicatfons are generally er parte-
instigated by parties deeply inter
ested, either from ties Of relation
ship or less meritOriOus reasons, and
often supported by personal appeals
TO the executive. In majority of
eases it is difficult TO determine
whether the case Is meriLorious
one. A proper presentation of the
question would protect society, and
at the same time do no injustice to
the convict. Under q well-settIed
! conviction that bad men are some
times returned 10 society by the
honest exercise Of the pardoniHg
power, upon cX parte mis-repTesen-
tations Of facts, feel constrained,
for high sense Of public duty, to
publish the following rules (Which
have generally been acted upon,)
for the information Of parties who
may otherwise make iruitless efforts
and perform expensive journies to
the capitol without results:
First The application must, IN
all cases, be in writing, stating es-
/ pccially the merits Of the case and
the reasons why the convict should
/ be pardOned.
Second; If the evidence gu the
/ final tiial was reduced 10 writing,
it must accompany the petitions,
as we'll as certified copy Of the
indictment and judgment Of con
victiOn.
Third, While every citizen will
DC respectfully and patiently heard,
in any verbal statement Of the mer-
its or dement's OF any pending applI-
cation Tor pardon, yet 40 reprcsen-
tation Of facts, or appeals for elem
cncy, will have any influence for or
against the application, nor will
they be considered or weighed un-
! til reduced to writing and signed
! by the party making them. (Sec-
ton five thousand two hundred
aud filty-thrce Of the code.1 Pro-
yided, Gle (the GOVERNOR shall
cause to be entered in book Kept
/ for that purpose his reasons for
granting pa:dons, or committing
| punishment, and preserve OF file all
documents on which he acted, and
submit the same to the general as
sembly when called on" This pro-
vision cannot. be fully met by any
/ other course.
Fourth, When the evidence up
on which the prisoner was convict
ed is not furnished, the papers will
be referred to the Attorney Gencr-
al Of the district in which she APP
plicant was convicted, before any Ii
nal action is taker.
Fifth, Such other terms and con-
ditions Will he imposed rs each
ease may appear to merit.
Sixth, The pardoniug power hav-
ing been in no respect abridged,
qualified or changed, by the lease
Of the State prison, the lessees have
no voice in any application tor
pardon, and they have not been in
the past, and will not in the future
be consulted in any case, nor will
the wish, desire or interest Of the
essees control in the least degree
any application Tor pardon. The
prisoners conduct (Which will al
ways be considered) is recorded by
the warden, and furnished officially
to this Office, upon application.
These rules will be adhered TO
rigldly, and all parties are admon-
ished that the merits of each case
rs disclosed by properly authenti-
Gated documents VIII control its
fate.
! Therefore the employment OF u
gents or attorneys to prosecute
pardon-applications in person will
avail nothing.
JOHN G.. BROWN
BY order of the governor.
JOHN 5. WILKINS,