Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-07-22
He's Avery Been Pardoned:

THE HISTORY OF THE CASE AS FAR AS
KNOWN TO OUTSIDERS.
At II O'Clock to day Judge Taft, Attorney
General, who ought to know, says that no
pardon had yet been granted to VIM. O.
Avery, now undergoing a sentence of two
years In the penitentiary at Jefferson City,
Mo, for completely in the whisky frauds.
On the other hand dispatch was received
In this city this morning from the editor OF
Chicago paper, advising his correspondent
here that the pardon had been granted. aud
that Avery was advised OF it: which infor-
nation was received direct from the re pre-
sentative of the paper in Jefferson City,
who was ordered TO make the Inquiry.
A little history OF the efforts to secure this
pardon may serve TO relieve the perpIexlttes
OF this case, In view OF these diametric ally
opposite statements. A month or m pre- ago,
Mrs. Avery, the wife of the prisoner, In IuS-
triously circulated petition for the sigma
lures of newspaper men. 1t was repressnt ted
by her that If she could present to the PrsSI-
dent petition bearing the signatures of the
representatives. of the leading newspa pers
that he would consider it I'm the light of a
declaration that If he ordered the pardon to
issue, he would not be subjected to critici SIN
from that quarter. Mrs. Avery worked with
zeal. and did secure the endorsements OF
nearly every correspondent in Washing toa.
None, however, signed the paper as newspa-
per men, but all as individuals. After n av-
Ing secured the signatures, the names of the
newspaper each siRner represented was
affixed. This document, with others, was
presented to the President, VINO referred IL
10 the Attorney General. He, in turn, re-.
ferred 1t to District Attorney Dyer. who APP
proved the Issue of the pardon on the ground
that he Oyer believed that while A very
was gui lty, he was simply used as a cats
paw by others who had escaped conviction.
Soon afterwards Ex-Governor Fletcher, of
Missouri, came here personally to inter
cede In Avery's behalf. He had been in ad-
vance made known of the recommend alton
OF Dyer. and this, coupled with Avery's bad
health, led him to indulge the hope that his
mission would prove successful. He made
a call on the President, who said that he
would be guided by the recommendation of
Judge Taft. The latter officer took the case
In hand, but after reviewing the evi fence
was not inclined to recon- mead the pardon.
although he did indicate that, in view of
Avery's state of health, he would willingly
recommend that he be transferred from
incarceration In the penitentiary, at Jefer-
son City, to the "Four Courts, !" in ST. Louis,
the common jail, where he could receive
better treatment, have no manual labor to
perform, and have additional comforts. This
dld not seem to satisfy Avery's friends, and
1t Is alleged that becoming FESTIVE under
what was deem ed Judge Taft's disinclIna-
ton to grant the pardon, on Wednesday
last they abandoned further efforts with
direct
The rumor is that the President made short
work OF IL upon their second call. after tue
circumstances attending their labors with
Judge Taft had been detailed to him; thai
he ordered the pardon TO Issue; that it is now
certified to, and copy on file In the State
department, and that Mr.. Taft knows nothing
about 1t.
There is also an additional rumor that
while Attorney General Taft had the case
under consideration the President rather
pointeoIy indicated to him that he wouii be
pleased II he gave the application his rec
ommendation; that Taft, while anxious to
accommodate Gen. Grant, was restrain / to
some extent by Gov. Hayes, whose friends
thought 1t bad policy to grant the pardon in
the face of national canvass. There is good
authority Tor the statement that Taft has
stated that II the pardon was issued 1t would
cost the republican party one hundred taou-
sard votes. 1t is also stated that Mrs. A very
left Washington night before last for Jsffer-
son City, bearing the cheering aSSuranc. 10
her husband that the pardon was rorthc PM
ing.
Among the papers submitted to Jcige
TAFT TO Induce his favorable action is a 1ri-
vate letter written 10 Avery by heretofore
prominent officer of the government, It is
Eatd this letter virtually ac4uits him OF aay
guilty knowledge of the frauds but ia ans
the guilt still stronger on prominent persons
heretofore suspected. The story goes that
Judge Taft promised to recommend the oar
don IL the letter was given publicity, Ia9s-
mreh as 1t explains some things not vet
made public; bat Avery's friends refukei r,
listen to this on account OF nthe other h gI-ts
that would ACHE" 20
One thing is certain, that IL Avery f. par
doned, and the paper bears date 10 adv 4nce
OF IL O'Clock, July 22d, Judge TAFT kpsYs
nothing about II, for he says so. Bot Is Is
among the possibilities aud proba 5i ties
that the pardon is granted even without his
kuOWl plpa mr. rppOn unppdatfnn