St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-10-02

Wayland OF the New Haven Law School. adj
vocated, with cogent reasoning, the establish
ment in every state of "Court of Pardons''
taking the responsibility and power from one
man only. Something like that ought to be
done to prevent the facility with which par
dons are now too often granted.
There are some stern and inflexible Execu-
tives, however, who do not fail to do their
duty in most trying circumstances. A case
comes to mind, that of DR.. Webster, a Pro-
fessor in a Medical College at Boston, Mas
sachussetts. An importunate creditor en-
tered his room, and maddened him By his
opportunities. Dr. Webster slew him, and
concealed his body. The murder was discov-
cred and the murderer was convicted, and
condemned to be hung. The culprit, al
though very passionate man, was, up to the
time of the committing of his crime, gem
tleman of high standing He was a man of
talent, OF high culture, and very able Pro-
lessor. Great effort was made to have Gov.
Briggs, who was then the Chief MAGISTRATE of
the State, pardon the high-bred murderer, or
at least commute his sentence to imprison-
ment. Petitions poure in upon the Cover
nor signed by many clergymen, lawyers,
professors, and gentlemen of high culture
and numerous leading citizens of standing
to save the learned Professor from the gal
lows. At last the Governor was put to the
severest ordeal of all, for he was almost an
exceptionally sensitive, humane and merci-
full man. The wife and grown-up daughters
of the condemned man, appeared in the
Executive chamber, and falling on their
knees before the Governor, with tears, and
beseechings, and wailings of the most piteous
character, besought him to spare the life Of
husband and father. The Executive was
moved to tears, by the wretchedness and
misery of the supplicants, and dismissed them
with what courtesy he could, promising to
consider with what impartiality he could, the
unfortunate circumstances by which they
were surrounded.
But the Chief Magistrate, though human,
and possessed of human sensibilities was
firm. foul murder was committed, and
all that legal ability on the great trial could
do to save the murderer had been exhausted
and he was found guilty and sentenced to be
hung. And he was hung. There were no
mitigating circumstances, to warrant the in
reference of the Executive.
The action of this Governor, in signing the
death warrant, instead of issuing pardon,
or e communication of the sentence was gem
orally approved, and after the execution, not
signer of petition, censured the Governor
for his inhexible action. 1t is scarcely sup
poseable that one Executive in ten or more,
would have stood firm, against the great and
unusual pressure brought to bear in this in
stance, and as sad and melancholy as his
duty was, his conduct was applauded and
has passed into the approving history of
criminal jurisprudence in Massachusetts.
The result was most salutary.
1t is too much to put such strain as this
upon one man, falliable man. Better to
have such a responsibility shared by 8
''Court of Pardons'' composed of several
persons.
Infinite wisdom and love can grant mercy,
without an infringement of the exact de-
mands of iustic. 81 will have mercy on
whom 1 Will have mercy'' was said by Him
whose right it is to administer both mercy
and justice, and who never administers
mercy at the expense of justice, as weak,
finite, falliable man may, and is apt to do.