The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-04-08
GOVERNOR ROBERTS AND EXkC.
U1IvG GLR MENCT.

It is now generally admitted that
Sam Myers, who was hung at Gaines
Vile for the murder Of his stepmother,
wss innocent. This 10 fearful T, q &C.
ton, and ought to hush the clAnor of
those who abuse Governor Roberts be-
cause he has permitted few criminals
to live for lifetime within prison walls
instead of deprving them of being.
We must all now wish that Sam Myers
sentence had been commutsd, buS had
it been what howl would have been
raised against the Governor because of
interfering with human execution. 4
defender of the Governor publishes
two or more columns in the Dallas Her
aid upon the subject Of executive mer-
cy, and he accepts the theory that Ny
ers was innocent OF charges for which be
suffered the death penalty. Had the
facts, IS subsequently, stated, been
brought forth, before the unfortunate
mans death, his life would certainly
have been saved, hut all the evidence
went in the direction of his guilt, and
there beng no extenuatIng circumstan-
ces, as shown by the record or by sub
sequent evidence, commutation was not
granted In his favor. This writer in
the Herald reviews the whole question
of executive clemency, as applied to
Governor Roberts, and ably defends
him against the mean attacks of those
who deal in human blood for political
fleet. 1t is said by this writer:
mo one will contradict the state
ment that, according to the number OF
death sentences passed upon criminals
by the courts of this State, larger per
centsge have been executed under the
present administration than during
IKE period of time under any previous
one. And more people have neen le-
gslly executed in Texas during the
present administration than we're ever
before convicted and execu'ed in this
nr any other state or territory in the
Union during the same period of time
Yet, with the 'bloOdIest record of any
governor Texas has ever had, certain
persons, and particularly certain news
papers throughout the State, whose
edit re- are strangers Ia the facts of the
cases about which they claim to know
so much, and, In truth ksow so little,
A., -,
verest censure and abuse upon the heso
of our venerable chief magistrate,
whose only aim and purpose is and has
been to perform the duties of his high
Office faithfully and lmpartislly. Gov
ernor r 'berts' administration needs no
vindicstIon at the hands of his friends.
1t will bear the closest scrutiny by the
everest critic. II will compare favor
ably with any previous administering,
and suffer nothing whatt yer by the
comparison.
Suppose Governor Roberts has com
muted the death sentence of some
poor, unfortunate wretches to imprison-
nent for life. Admit that the objects
of his executive clemeDcy were unde-
serving of 1t, who in this age of Chris
tian enlightment will srrogate to him
self the DUTY of condemning the act
without knowing the facts or upon
what recommendations the Cow rnor
scted3
As general rule, we find those who
clamor loudest against the humane and
merciful acts of wise and just ruler
towards criminals, the very ones whose
hearts pre- cold and. whose hands are
not guiltless of breaking and violating
with impunity the laws of God and
man alike. Their minds are not i'm
nued with the gentle spirit of heaven.
but, instead, are tainted with the foul
breath of hell. They constitute that
baneful class of debased mankind who
would mingle with the pure stream of
justice the foul, the bitter, and the tur-
Did torrent of private hate and ven
geance. No refined ana elegant thought
ever crossed their minds, and no besu-
tiful thing has ever grown to indicate
their existence in world that they
curse.
A careful and impartial investigation
of the facts will convince any uppreju-
diced and unbiased mind that Govern
or Roberts has not committed the sen
tence of single person without studied
and mature deliberstion, moved and
prompted by considerations the most
wise and thoughtful of any duty per-
formed during his entire adminisra-
ten.