The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-19
SEEKERS AFTER PARD0NS.
EFFORTS FOB THE RELEASE OF HE
sIN0, AVERY, IND M'KEA.
Mrs. Avery Pleading for the Promised Par
don Of her Husband-McKee Counsel
Impntie nj DclnY Int cry leMs with q irant

Mrs. Avery Pleading for the Promised Par
don Of her Husband Nick ee's Counsel
Impatient ut Dciuv-Intcrviews with Grant
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1s-The seekers after
pardons for whiskey convicts have been put OF
time after time with the promise that whom
Congress adjourned their cases would receive
final sction. Consequently within the last dav
or two the Attorney q eneral aud the President
have been beslered by the persons here in tho
interest Of Mckee, Avery. Hesine, and others,
especially by those pleading for McKee's and
Avery's liberation. For two days past Mrs.
Avery has been pleaded with by the Attorney
General and others TO accept OF a clerkship in
the Interior Department until after the Novem-
Der election. She refused yesterday again to
take the place, and cllnRs to her demand Qfor
such II has got TO bel for her sband 3 absolute
pardon.
II Ia believed by those who are we'll acquainted
with the facts In Avcry's case that pardon was
promised some time ago. 1t Ia also said on good
authority that overtures have been made TO
Avery and Mrs. Avery tn accept 5000 from the
Republican National Committee fund to with
draw the application until after the Presidential
election. Certain u is that her pride which
and causes her to sell her household furniture
to acquire sufhcient means to live on, Is being
an interview with the President Yesterday after
noon, and was told 10y the Executive that he
would do tho most he could for her husband.
lie told her to come again to-day and he would
make a disposition OF Avery's case. which has
virtually been taken out OF The Attorney-Gen-
erals hands.
Mex ee's agent, W. J. Doueberty. did the same
With his clients application: He called on the
Acknowledgement and asked for q report no
matter what kind, on the evidence. Taft said
he was not ready vet, as he had not gone over
Pardon Clerks report, which gives n review of
all the evidence and leans toward a pardon. This
his feelings. lie told the Attorney q eneral that
he had been putting on and putting on until
they tMcksss friends) bad got tired OF II. II the
Attorney ey-9enerai OF the United States. who
acknowledged that the jury was packed, was
withholding report from political reasons.
then the half Of the Globe Democrat which was
not 10 jail would cut right and left. judge TAFT
exciteoly inquired II he meant to threaten the
but that he was sim u talking to the Erecutives
legal adviser. judge Taft then sent for the pa
pers IN the case, and wrote on them that he de-
clined for the present to recommend pardon.
Samuel Knox. also one Of Mckee's counsel,
called on the President yesterday at noon, and
quested to return at +. NJ, which he did, 40
companied by Dougherty, who related to the
tails Of the convers a.ion with Judge Taft. Gen.
Grant showed considerable surprise as he heard
Tor the Attorns v. General and the papers in Mo
KEGS case. For an hour afterward the four
persons went through the documents, McKee's
| friends and the Attorney-Gsnersl explaining In
| their own way the facts TO the President. The
task was continued until to-day, at which time
| the President promised to render his decision.
| Two days ago the friends OF Mckee were as
sured that he would be released II he was not
| pardoned, but they do not know how lying 10
done d dplomatically for the applicants for
| pardons virtually received a hnal and upfavora-
| bic answer TO-DAY. The Presidents promise
| to the Attorney General not to grant any par
| dons without his recomme ~ dAtion 10 all that
kept them from being issued.
| To-day Mckce's friends. having been referred
back to the Attorney General by the President,
| pleaded again with that onicial for a re ,ommen-
dation in favor OF at least a commutation Of
| sentence. He admitted that he thought tho
| trial was Illegal, but would not consent TO put
| such opinion In writing. He was very sore
| over Dougherty's PLAIN talk of yester-
| day, and It required considerable time to
pacify him. As a last favor be agreed TO
refer all OF the papers TO District
| Attorney Bliss. This, in the face OF the encour-
agement he has given while asking repeatedly
| for different documen &c. for the past mont n
| or two, leads McKee's friends to charge MIN
| with duplicty. They saw that his mind was
made up from the first, but that he did not have
the manhood TO tell them there was no hope.
The President leaves tomorrow. Before he
| goes he will be urged once more to pardon Nc
kee. Avery. Hesing, ana Others. Mrs. Avery
has natly refused 70 accept the clerkship, and
she, with her friends, now say they Will make
| public, at AN early, day those kilograms and pa
/ pers which II Is alleged she has been holding
over the Pr sidents head. Storr's will probably
start for Chicago To morrow night, but with In o
| intention OF returning ere long to prosecute his
| applications.