Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1883-11-09
THE GOVERNOR AxD THE GRAND
JURY.

Inc st. LOUIS grand jury mas
brought an indictment against mum.
Der of the gambling ring in St. Louis
The names of the officials thus indict.
ed being !. H. Ennis, Ed Cutler, F. !.
Lutz, also Henry A. Newman, Hugh
]. Bradley. Warren McChesney, etc.
The grand jury in Its report says:s
A corrupt combination, composed of un.
principlea and notorious persons, and GER
| tam persons holding offices of the State un-
der appoin tment Of the Governor, has for
considerable time existed for the purpose
Of unlawfully controlling and using the 20
| lice force Of this city in the promotion ana
continuance Of gambling and lotteries, and
for other unlawful purposes the members OF
this combination, outside Of those belonging
| to the Police Board, have possessed and exer-
cised such an influence upon its member.
belonging to the Board that they have in
many important instances dictated and con-
trolIed the policy of the board. These Com
missioners, subject to the corrupt influence
and power, have latterly constituted a ma
jority OF the board, and, by either willing or
forced submission to the commands and be-
hests Of the combination, have done or per-
mitted to be done acts which must have been
contrary TO tEcir honest and upright judg-
mcnt"
Further on in the report, referring
more particularly to Governor Critten-
den, the report says:
contemporary with the inauguration Of
the present Governor oftne State, there was
instituted ny him the practice Of demanding
,,xfy tod hx, III,
Police Commissioner Of this city, prior to
their appointments, blank designations of
their Office. Blank designations have in sew
eral instances been given, and have been held
aud retained by evil-designing persons, men,
bers of the combination, solely for fraudu-
lent and unlawful purposes, and in the fur
therancc of crime. These designations could
not have been required for any lawful and
proper use. The power is, by law, plainly
written upon the statute books, vested in the
Governor, to remove at any time commits
who is unsaithful to his trust"
We have been unable to discover any law
nj purpose for which these designations
have been asked and given. And in view of
the use TO which they have been put, and the
infamous character of those who have been
permitted TO hold them, the practice of re-
Guirng them must be unequivocally con-
demned.
During the course OF our investigation we
have had occasion to EXAMINE into the man.
ner in which pardons have been granted by
the executive 10 persons convicted of fclonics
in the Criminal Court of this city. Pardons
have been granted to many persons convict
ed of fclonies-not upon doubtful or untruth-
full testimony, or by partial or prejudiced ju-
ries, but upon their self-copfession, after ad
vising with counsel of the highest ability.
These self-confesscd felons had, for many
years prior to their conviction for the often
ces Of which they were pardoned, openly and
defisntly violated tile law, which during
these years made these offences mere misde-
msanors. Though often convicted during
that time, of misdemeanors, no substantial
punishment was ever inflicted upon them,
their persistence in fragrant violations Of
the law, ard the demoraliZing and debasing
results of those violations, caused the Lesis-
laturc to make felonies those offences which
had heretofore been misdcmeanors. Under
the new law they continued in the same open
and defiant course, and when brought to
Justice and forced to admit their guilt they
were Internationally pardoned by the Gov
ernor, in. the most unseeming haste, without
any consultation on his part with the officers
of the State through whose efforts their con-
victiOn had been secured.
Such action of the Governor is inconsis-
sent with the principles which should regu-
late lthe granting of pardons and tends TO
bring into disrepute the administration of
justice"
In conclusion the Grand Jury re-
commends that the constitution of the
state be so amended as to withdraw
from the Governor the pardoning pow
er and vest the same in a Board of
Pardops. The jury submits its re
port in the hope" that measures may
be taken to "correct these great evils
and abuses" hope and wish to
which all good citizens will most heart
lily say, amen, "without regard to par
ty."