The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-27
cLEMENCY TO coNvIcTs
GOVERNOR TMDEN pIsAPPRovEs OF TuE LIB
GRAFTON OF LIFE PRISONERS.
AtnANy lime 9d 1875

GOVERNOR TILDEN DIsAPPRovEs OF TuK LIB
GRAFTON OF LIFE PRISONERS.
ALBANY, June 20. 1875.
The Governor has disapproyed the following
bIl -
senate Bill, No. ISo. entitled IAN ACT in relation
20 the state prisons and penitentlarles.p
Not approved. Inc nrst TWO sections or this act
provide, In substance, that person sentenced to
imprisonment for life or for term OF twenty-five
years upwards, Wbo mas conducted himself
properly In prison. NAV, at the expiration OF nfteen
years, be discharged by the Governor rom actual
confre menf and mat Inc residue OF the term
snal be remtLed unless he is convicted OF some
otner crime ials 10 receive a full pardon WITHIN
ten years: Although tue discharge - 10
as at present in the OF prisoners confined for
shorter terms, ordinarily feel bound by the express
sion OF the legislative Will, ano uniformly release
the prisoner upon receiving from the proper ol1-
GERS a certificate OF ms good Dehaviur. While
convict guilty OF crime COMMITTED AFTER MS uis-
charge, II IL evident that sncn provision would be
rarely, II ever, executed and II executed tnat IL
would pc rather as punishment lor tne after
offence tnan Tor that OF which he was originally
convicted. The practical effect these sections,
therefore, would be TO reduce the punishment Tor
the offences now punishable by imprisonment Tor
nfe or lor twenty-five Years or upward 10 lmprls.
oDment for fifteen years IN the case VI a convict
conducting himself properly IN prison.
Inc object Oi THESE proYisions Is to oner TO lie
convicts the same inducements TO GOOD conouct
that are held out TO other prisoners, and IL is
Thought that their adoption would tend greatly 10
promote Inc discipline OF the prisoners IL may
ment Of this bill would tend To secure good order
among the convIcts af1ectea by h. But, IN my
opinion, this anticpa ed Advantage would De much
more than cOunterDalanced by utler ana graver
considerations. 10 the heinous crimes OF murder
in the second degree, rape and arson IN the nrst
degree should be ATTACHED q punishment proper
tomato to toetr enormtty. In many other States
and countries that Punishment Is death. Formerly
III tnis state the same uread penalty was exacted.
In my judgment the punishment should not be
less tnan imprisonment Tor llle. In saying this
try TO realize me suffering VI NE
long incar ceration, but also consider
the nature OF these crimes. As a general rule
persons guilty ofthese offences are unit ever again
TO associate with their fellows. man who pro-
poses TO himself tine commission OF either OF these
ie onies should have before MIN as an element OF
his calculations the prospect Of beng forever i'm
INJURED WITHIN the walls Of prIson. The terror OF
the law Wnicn now detefs men capable through
revenge, passion or lust OF committing these
crimes would be greatly l1ghtened by change
when provides Tor their liberation even at the end
OF tue long period OF fifteen years. Even Tor the
sake OF promoting GOOD order In the prison can
not assent 10 an enactment which tends TO lessen
tue lust sense or the aIrocltV OF these crimes or
OF the wlcRecness OF those VINO commits them In
particular cases, where the circumstances Will
allow executive clemency NAV now be exercised
and In this manner only should any proper indul-
Qence be granted.