The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-03
SPENCE PETTIS.
THE KFToRTs FOR HIS PARDON rAox THE
MASSACHUSETTS PRISON.

Bosros, Jan. 2, 1875.
The hearing In the matter OF. the pardon OF
Spence Pettis, the notorious lorger, from the
Massachusetts State Prison was commenced be-
fore the Governor and Council to-day. There were
present various gentlemen, who are ANXIOUS for
the release OF the criminal
hr. William W. Hewitt was the first gentleman
to speak upon the application. saying that ne came
as the representative Of the District Attorney OF
New York. He did not come to instruct the solid
men OF Boston, but to give information in mat
ter which would AFFECT the liberty OF thieves and
great criminals whom 1t seemed mad the CO.
operation Of those who should be the protectors
OF the community. Mr. Phelps who makes
this application, Is the District Attorney who was
the success al prosecutor OF those who had been
known as the 'ring tnevesn OF New York city.
The Council was familiar with the great bond
forgeries in Erie Railway, New York Central Rail.
road, western Union Telegraph Company and
other large corporations which were brought to
light in the year 1873 The application which was
before the Council was no. then by Pettis, but by
the zeal OF Mr.. Phelps to convict Gleason and
Roberts OF the extensive iorgeries mentioned.
These men the controlling spirits OF tae higher
grade Of thieves Roberts was convicted IN 1862
OF being an accessory before the tact In the
robbery or the Adams Express Company in
that year. II his subsequent pardon should
be brought up he was ready to explain to the
satisfaction OF the Council. One trial OF Roberts
had resulted IN his dismissal, ana there is but one
way to rid large cities OF men who were in the So
ciety OF Mcdonald and others concerned in the
Bank of England iorgerles while in this country,
and are by their cunning and il-gotten wealth IN
position to carry out stupendous frauds. Pettis
has received but small portion OF the result OF
the great iorgeries, and the reason OF his giving
such Information as he has Is desire lor re-
venge. He mas. without any promises being held
out to hun by the District Attorney, shown the
possession OF facts when will certainly convict
Gleason and Roberts. 1t mad been alee Led nat oy the
conviction OF these men Pettis would go lree and
the District Attorney says on that point thatshe
has sucn evidence against him That ne cannot
escape tne prison. The reason why Roberts and
Gleason were not before convicted was that
testimony could not be used because Petts could
not be mad TO lay the foundation for 1t. The
Governor OF New YORK state, upon the presenta-
ton oil the District Attorney has come forward
and asked for a return OF Petts by the Common
wealth OF Massachusetts, In q manner that he may
become competent witness in New York. Mr.:
Hewitt also presented the confession OF Pettis and
the letters and petitions OF bankers and prominent
merchant IN New York and Boston.
wnen he arrived in New York, 'klckn and refuse
10 testify. he would lay himself liable to greater
nit tnat question to tie law officers.
Councillor Frost asked how IT was that Gleason
ana Or Roberts were Out on sucn small bonds as
great Mr.. Hewitt replied that without Pettis no
convection could be obtained
Councillor Frost asked what would be the result
II they, finding that Pettls was pardoned to con-
Wet them, should forfeit their bonds and clear
OutY
MIR. Hewitt thought they had interests in New
York To retain them and take their chances Ii
they escaped the ends OF tie ca TIL would be
searched with the prospect OF getting them. In
dependent OF ROoerts and Gleason. Pettls would
be put On trial Dy his own confessions. He be-
lieved that there were forty indictments against
him. and not less than 50, 900 bail woulu be asked
Tor in each case. He had not the exact number,
but expected the Information Dy telegraph ID an
hour. BY rule OF the New York supreme Court
when jury disagree. as in this case, che prisoner
assumed by the speaker, from prominent people,
were read, and then the Council listened to
Mr.. ISAAC PRATT, JR.,
President OF one OF the national banks. who SIM
ply said that ne and MS associates now fell that
the interest OF justice Pettis should be pardoned
Mr.. Hewitt stated that there were dozen or
twenty gentlemen who would, had circumstances
permitted, been present aud added to his own
testimony and that OF Mr.. Pratt.
Mr.. Charles B. Hail. President OF the Society for
the Prevention OF Counterleiting, who was one OF
those who originally signed the remonstrance to
the pardon, and had not Withdrawn his name,
first spoke against the application and referred to
The way the papers containing the names OF the
Hewitt mad worked In every way till he had tired
out most all OF the first slgners and secured their
signatures 70 an applcaton Tor The pardon.
Mr.. Hail went on to say that MS experience with
this class OF orgers extended back over twenty
in securing Inc arrest OF 637 forgers and thieves
and ne knew ul well the trouble in making con-
vlctions IN New York. his own opinion was, that
If spence Petts happens To get into New York he
did not believe that lie would plead guilty, and
that If he did, he would get nominal sentence,
and alter ths was al done no one woulo De con-
v.cted His oplnIon was based on his long expert
ence with this very Gleason. he had hao hin
arrested three times In one day in New YORK city,
and eaca time he was let of; the trst time oy
giving diamond pin, the second time by
handing over a $500 watch. He was told
by officers IN earnest IN the case
that 1t was no use to try to get Gleason without
spending money, and made up his mind then that
He did not believe that any jury in New YORK
would convict etler Of tue three. He might trust
the courts but not the jlries. He had been alter
AL three OF these men Tor twenty years and had OF
able to reach them, and Pettis has the brains
OF the lot. There are TWO parties. IN my belief in
TINS case One Is mat the courts want Petlls, and
the otherls that an underground work being done
by Roberts and Gleason, who nave half million
dollars at command, TO get Pettis where they can
get him again. Pettis Is a prongate and would
keep nothing no matter how much he might gam.
fettis Is not used by these men, He Is the brains.
AS Tor bonds, these people make them mere baga-
teue.
Ex-Chief Constable Edward J. Jones also spoke
in opposition TO the application. Petlis was ar
rested on the charge Tor which under the present
administration he Is now serving sentence. He
corroborated what Mr.. Hall had SAID about Pettls'
! ability and being pronigate. he then referred
TO me details OF the labor in securing Pets Ia the
Bolies case, showing the difficulty OF lastenng any
case upon MIN, however sure the officers might
] feel as to his quit Men OF this class don't
Ego oack," as IL is termed oy them, on their associ
/ ates. Gleason and RoDerts have always helped
Petts with their FUNDS when he mas been in e. ou-
Die. In referring to what Mr.. Hewitt mad said
! ne would reply that no gentleman familiar
| with criminal practice would for
moment believe that sucn witness could be
/ lied upon. There would be difficulty in New
/ YORK 10 show Jnat Pettls had made contradictory
statements winch Womb lmpeach hm a witness
even here In Massachusetts. However much they
accumulated THIS class OF witnesses their CREDIBLE
ity would not De es aoIisned. 1t Is Jne tendency
all over the country that where party renders so
important service TO the courts, the courts nave
acted, to say the least with the greatest lenency
( toward the criminal so acting. The New York
gang, with It's means and ability, would not Tor a
moment allow themselves TO be placed IN the
/ hands OF tnis man, providing Petts was produced.
Matthew Boiles, or Boston, on whom PettIs forged
the oil s5, 900 and Tor which he is now serving a
ten years. sentence, expressed a wish against the
pardon, alter which the hearing was adjourned
un I'll Monday.
ANOTHER MURDER.