Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1884-12-31
A TALK WITH BEGOLE.
TIRED FROM HIS LATE LAsoRs.
6esieged bY Applicants for Pardons
The Books Ciosed--Carroll's Com
Political Purposes.

Mr. VIII A. Innes, late Secretary OF the
Gfeenback State Committee, visited Gov.
Begole at Flint on Monday, and returned
yesterday noon A representative of The
MoKsuEG TELssRAa called on Mr. Innes at
the Rathbun House last evening, and upon
requesting an interview upon the subject of
his recent visit 10 Flint gathered the follow
ing:
II went to Flint for the purpose of seeing
Governor BegoIe upon private business. He
was not looking well, but complained of
feeling tired as he had been working very
hard recently. On the subject of pardons
you can state that on Saturday last he had
twenty two applications for pardon. Among
those you can name Congressman Mayberry,
Mayor Cook, of Muskegon, and +. +. Kutts.
of this city, as petitioners. To all of the
twenty 1.-TWO the Governor refused to lis
ten, as the pardon books are positively
closed. Yesterday morning before half-pas
six O'Clock. and before he had risen. Cover
nor Begole was called on by four different
persons who came to plead for pardons. OF
these Mayor Joseph K. Mabley, of Jack
son, was one with petition for young
man in prison for his third offence; another,
was an old lady from Washtenaw
County, pleading for the par
don of her husband, who
had been sentenced to a term of three years
for beating her. Another was an old lady of
about the same age, with six young children
asking for the pardon of her husband who
had been sentenced to a term of forty-fve
years for murder; Tan odd feature in this
last case, was that among other let
ters she presented, was one from the
prison warden stating that the man
was a dangerous, intractable prisoner
Another was man from Wayne county ask
ing that a pardon be granted for a man
incarcerated for grand larceny, and all these
the Governor refused. 1t has not been an
uncommon thing for the pardon-seekers to
come at all hours of the night as well as day.
The Governor called my particular attention
to the fact that he had never pardoned a
man that has been sent to prison
for second offense. He thinks time will
Justify him in his action in the Van Wage
ner case, and though he has nothing against
Judge Hawes, the official records will show
that the original sentence was for twenty
years, and then twenty five more were added,
presumably in anger"
ABOUT CARRoLL's CASE.
by the way, here is something learned,
unofficially:
request reached Mr. Begole short time
since from certain members of the New Or
leans Commissioners, that he petition Presi-
dent Arthur for Mr.. F. NJ. Carroll's removal
as United States Commissioner to that Ex-
position. But he refused, saying that he had
gone to the extent of his authority when he
revoked Mr.. Carroll's commission as State
Commissioner. He also said he would not
have done that if it had not been apparent
that harmony could not be secured in the
Commission without it, and spoke in the
most kindly terms of Mr., Carroll"
"The Governor says as soon as he gets his
business matters closed up, he will devote
his entire time, fortune and abilities to the
interests of the grand old Greenback party,
though judging from expressions made by
Democratic leaders, the latter are desirous
of adopting the main planks, (labor, land
and finance) of our party and thus merging
the two solidly into one."
"Since there are no more offices at his dis
posal, or pardons that he will grant, the
Governor is being besieged by Democrats
and Greenbackers all over the State for his
influence with President-elect Cleveland in
order to secure patronage He has already
pledged himself for the Marshalship of the
Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan
and the Port Huron collectorship. Mr..
Innes smilingly declined giving names.l He
has already received over $50 solicitations,
personal and otherwise, for the new Presi-
dents patronage. This comes from the
fact that it is credably intimated that his
influence is potent with the incoming ad-
ministration."