Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1878-10-16


Governor Hampton did as all other
Governors of other States do under
like circumstances issued requi-
sition for the arrest of and return of
the fugitive from justice. Kimpton
fled TO Canada and rotated along both
sides of the border until he was finally
overhauled in Massachusetts, and ar
rested and held to await Governor
Hampton's requisition. When the
document reached Governor Rice, the
guilty fugitive pleaded through his
counsel that he was prosecuted man /;
that he was not wanted in South Car
olina TO serve the ends of justice; that
he was pursued TO enforce the repay.
ment OF stolen money, and that politi-
cal vengeance was the animatibg pur-
pose of the South Carolina government
in seeking bis rendition. To all this
special pleading that was contradicted
by the official record 90 which bis re-
turn was claimed, Governor RICE gave
heed, and he disgraced himself, his
laws and his Commonwealth by decid-
ing TO discredit the solemn judicial re-
cords OF sister State and to assume
that a notorious thief must not be CIV
en- up because the officials who call for
him happen TO be OF different politi-
cal faith.
Governor Hampton very naturally
replied to Governor hlces extraordi
nary letter OF refusal, decidedly asser-
ting the integrity oil the records OF his
State and crltlclzing with dignity but
earnestness the grave blunder INTO
which Governor hlce had iallen. 10
this reply Governor hicc has hnaily
answered IN Just the inconslderate pas
sion that confesses his wrong IN every
line, however his words may seem to
seek his vlndlcatlon, and he concludes
by measure OF dlseourtesy that would
disgrace Ben Butter Governor, when
he declares his purpose 10 treat uov-
ernor Hampton's letter with such con-
tempt as to deny II place among the
records OF his Once Inc whole OF
Governor lSice's letter is unworthy OF
his high ONCE and 1t VIII bring the
blush oil shame 10 every decent citizeh
oil Massachusetts on me stump or IN
aconclave OF ward polllclans, ne might
assall south carolina ana her authorl-
ty but when demand is made on him
by the recognized and respected gov
ernment OF a sister Commonwealth, for
the execution OF the laws oi aassaohu-
setts, the bombast of the partisan CRATES
harshly upon the ears of the lovers OF
justice OF every political belief Had
there been any plausible excuse for the
refusal OF Governor Rice to surrender
Kimpton, no would have answered
with dignity and convinced the world
that he was faithful to hls trust but
when he placed his own discretion
above the law, above the claims OF
justice, and above the vital public
sentiment that demands the punish
ment Of public thieves, he could not
command respect for himself and, Of
necessity, sought TO fling disrespect up
on those who honestly and Justly chal-
lenged his fidelity to the law and to
the comfy that obtains between the
States of the Union. Ho did not ques-
tion the technical correctness of the
judicial record that claimed the rendi-
tion OF kimpton. Tho pri"oner had
been regularly accused Indictment
had been found upon testimony that
was indisputed the ofiense came with
in the list of crimes for which requlsl-
tlons are nonoIeu ,' y m"ssao'uee,ss, ;'' w.
ana the requisltioh itseil was III uuc
form oil law had there peSh any ue'
isct IN ihe record or haa Tue onense .,'
charged peen one that Massacnuse's'
did not recognize US making a uelchu'
ant iugiilVe from Just'ce wltnin 'nc
meaning OF her laws IL w4ulu nave
oeeh the outy Oh uoVerhor h,ce 70 TO
iuse tne warrant out "neh tho o~ri'ne ~
was oi the graVest character l whei
the record was clear OF al ,echh'ca cen h