Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-10-20
PAkDUNS.
Rules and Regulations Of the Governor
Governing he Granting Of
ParsiOns.

The large number Il cOnvicts In the
State prison, and the increasing de-
msnd for executive elemency, render
the exercise OF that high pTerogative,
more than ever, a very delicate and diff
ficult duty. The applications are gen.
orally e. pdrtc-instigated by parties
deeply interested, either from ties of re.
ladOnship or less meritOTious reasons, ,and
often supported by pc. sonal appeals to
the executive. In a majority of cases IL
is difficult to determine whether the
case is a meritOrious one. a proper pre-
sentatiOn of the other side Of the
question would protect society, and 81
the same time do no injustice TO the
convict. Under well-settled conviction
that bad men are sometimes returned TO
society by the honest exercise Of the par
doning power, upon eI pdrte misrepre-
sentatiOns of facts, / feel constrained
for high SENSE Of public duty, to pub
lish the following rules (which have
generally been acted upOnl, for the in
formation Of pa 20 may otherwise
make fruitless tii ITS and perform ex-
pensive journeys 10 the capitol without
results:
First-The application must, In ali
cases, be In writing, stating especially
the merits Of the case and the reasons
why the convict should be pardoned.
Second-If the evidence on the final
trial was reduced TO writing, it must ae-
company the petitions, as well 81 q Ger
titled copy Of the indictment and judg-
ment Of conviction.
Third-While every citizen will be
respectfully and patiently heard, in any
verbal statement Of the merits OF de-
merits OF any pending application foi
pardon, vet no representation of facts, OF
appeals for clemency, will have any in
fiuence for or against the application
nOT will they be considered or weighed
until reduced to writing and signed by
the party making them. (SectiOn five
thousand two hundted and fifty-fhree Q!
the cOde.) Provided, "He (tbe GOVERNOR
shall cause to be entered Ia a book kept
for that purpose his reasons for granting
pardons, or communicating punishment,
aud preserve on file all documents OIL
which be acted, aud submit the same to
the general assembly when called on. j"
This provision cannot be fully met by
any other course.
Fourth-When the evidence upon
which the prisoner was convicted Is moi
furnished, the papers will be referred to
the encouragement Of the district
IA HnAIL AA4C AIlllNhhA " a. tpAfANNNNf
before any final action is taken.
Fifth-Such other terms and cOndi-
tions will be imposed as each case may
appear to merit.
Sixth-The psrdoning power having
been in no respect abridged, qualified OF
changed, by the lease of the S'ate
prison, the lessees have no voice in any
application Tor pardon, and they have
not been in the past, and will not la
the future be consulted in any case, nor
will the wish, desire or interest of the
lessees control in the least degree any
application for pardon. The prisoners
conduct which will always be eonsid-
ered) is rec 1Tded by the warden, and
furnished officially to this office, upon
application.
These rules will be adhered to rieidly,
and all parties are admonished that the
merits Of each case a. disclosed by prop
erly authenticated documents will oon-
troll It's fate.
Therefore the emplos raent OF agents
OF attorneys 10 prosecute pardOn-apprs
sstions IA person will avail nothing.
JOHN @ RROHR.
nFordSr Qf q e &ovUpoT.
5OffE b WILKs, RTiwatS sssTstSIy.