The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1880-01-09

The following is a verbatim report Of Fon-
tain F. Bobbitts speech at Richmond last
Monday, so far as ii related TO Governor
Blackburn
"NOw, fellow-citizens, few remarks in regard to
Gov. Blackburns wholesale pardoning policy,
which, like a poisonous fountain gushing forth,
has proved a curse TO the Commonwealth. This
pardoning power has been greatly abused, TO the
great detriment Of the Common wealth-to the en-
eouragement Of vice and crime. But, Gov. BLACK.
burn says that the Penitentiary is greatly over
crowded, aud that distempers. malaria and diseas.
Is are thereby engendered. Nov, gentlemen, that
sounds plausible, humane and specious. Let US
pick this flmsy 10 pieces, aud let the rays
from the great OF Truth shine ON it, and let US
Il that Is the true reason for turning this law
less band Of desperate men loose upon society.
Governor, II that is the reason for your wholesale,
indiscriminate pardOning, why did you pardon
thirty men for violating heir Oaths and bonds by
selling whisky to minors and oOrrupting the NOR
ala OF the youths Of the oountry9 These blenders
were not to be punished by confinement in the
state Peniiehtiary-they would not have crowded
its cells Why did you, up to the sOth OF October,
pardon forty men for carrying concealed deadly
weapons' They are not punished by confinement
In the State Penitentiary. Why did you pardon
eighty gamblers In the city Of Louisville and remit
tines TO the amount OF S., S56f One-haif Of their
dues went or the education OF the poor ohilren OF
this Commonwealth, and yet, sir, after this sum
had vested In them, you wrest ID from their tiny
hands and hand II back to the gamblers, and by
your action say, Here, gentlemen. take this aud
bet Il again . Ills no wonder that a learned dl-
vine Of the city Of Louisville, in a on GAM
bling, speaks Of this humane, remitting Governor
as be does. These gamblers would not have crowd
ed the Penitentiary increased the malaria or
distempers there. And, Governor. why have you
hankrupted the Treasury by remitting fines aud
iorieliures 10 the amount OF many thousands OF
dollars, which amounts ought 10 have been collect
ed and helped 10 pay the pour witnesses who have
peen dragged by legal process and forced to testify
In behalf Of the Commonwealth, and who now Tor
months have drawn nothing from the Treasury,
but have been compelled 10 shave their claims at
ruinous rate by taking Is cents on the Collar. II
the Governor can thus pardon crimes Of tho ioulest
and most revolving nature, without any mitigating
circumstances, what binders him from throwing
wide open the portals Of the Pcnitentiary and re-
leasing all the eonycts within its walls In single
day.
Fellow 'citizcns Of the county OF Madison, Then
you contrast the wise and prudent administration
Of your gined young townslnani james u. McCrea-
ry, with the ruinOus administration Of Governor
blackburn, which, like a poisonous upas, has
blighted the hopes aud future prospects Of Ken
lucky, you ought 10 grow al least dK inches taller
your eyes ought 10 gsien with the Ore OF enthusi-
asn, your chest ought TO expand and your heart
swell with lofty and exalted pride The Former
was the wise administration Of a statesman the
latter the weak and vascillatng administration OF
an old granny.
I see In the Governors message that he Is In Ia
Of sbOlishing some OF the Courts. 1 suppose his
reason for that must be that be ands some diaicu-
~ now In pardoning the oOnviols as fast as these
Courts. through the honest iuries Of The country,
send them 10 Frankfort for violating law. The
Governor also advises the payment Of ten aud
eight dollars per day to pro tenn judges and pro
ten Commouwealth's Attorneys, who are already
present aud In Court on other business; but the
poor witnesses, who arc 10 be takeu'from their
families and daily labor, upon which they are De
pendent Tor support are to 80 As best they can 10
Court aud perhaps remain there a week at their
own expense, or on a general fast, and they are 10
receive nothing This Is beautiful economy, aud
noble humanity The Governor says that the
song Of contentment II heard Throughout OUT bor-
den. Goyernor, you are mistaken In the sound
you hear. lis not the song Of peace an oouteni-
ment that resounds upon your ear but 'us the
shrll scream Of terror and the loud crack Of your
paTdoned -oonsicts aauaasna' pistol that grates
zens OF Che Commonwealth.