The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-10-23
How Quay Worked the Pardon Board.


IL is interesting to refer back to the
files of newspapers printed immediate
ly after the pardon of Wm. II. Kem-
bic, the notorious briber of Legislators,
so successfully worked through the
board by Colonel Quay, and catch the
feeling of Indignation that prevaded
all parties and sects at the atrocious
miscarriage of justice. Religious bo-
dies took cognizance of it, religious
newspapers were bitter in denunciation
while the secular journals, Democratic
and Republican, in and out of the
state, united in condemning the action
of the pardon board as blistering
shame to Pennsylvania. Judge Pear
son from the bench denounced the par
don as setting forth falsehood in JUS
tifcation of the action of the board.
and declared the parlo was determin-
ed on before sentence was passed.
District Attorney Holliger, cf Dauphin
county, who had charge of the prose-
cution of the bribery cases, declared
the board violated their own rules, 10
the secrecy of their proceedings 80 as
to prevent the Commonwealth from be-
ing heard. The general tone of the
Republican press was that the party
should not be held responsible for the
action of the board, but that the mem
bers of it should be drummed out of
the party in disgrace. Governor Hoyt
gave public expression Of sorrow at
his part in the conspiracy, said he had
been misled, aud would regret it as
long as he lived.
We subjoin few extracts from jour
nails, showing how the pardon was re.
garded at the time. The general SENT
ment held Colonel Quay solely respon-
sible for the pardon, because he was
not only the shrewdest member of the
board, but Mr.. Kemble's close friend,
and had been his associate in the work
of legislative corruption.
From the United Presbyterian, May 49,
1t is healthy moral sign that so
many of the papers, even of the strict
ly political kind, speak out 80 strongly
in condemnation of the pardon of the
Pennsylvania corruptiouists. Bribery
has been the disgrace of our state capi-
IA, and needed some punishment that
would stigmatize it as it deserved, while
warning dishonest men against crime
that the law as well as good sentiment
among the people was hereafter to take
notice of. And in the conviction oI
| and sentence of Kemble and associ
ates there were such visitation as was
needed, for they represented the class
that had influence in politics, and were
conspicous in the affairs of the State
To pardon such men is an insult to all
the better sentiment of the common
wealth. The men who have done il
should be remembered as unworthy OF
public trust.
From the Presbyterian Banner, May s, 1880.
The conviction of the riot bribers a,
Harrisburg and their imprisonment was
hailed with general satisfaction, as in.
dication that hereafter Legislatures in
this state at least would not be ap-
preached and asked 10 vote for OF
against any measure from a money con
sideration, but their recklessly speedy
pardon is as generally condemned, not
withstandng the fact that this was the
first conviction under the law. The
pardon has done much to neutraiz, the
effect produced by the trial, condemna-
! ton and sentence, and it will be harI
to convince the great mass of the peo-
pie that it was at all justiiiable.
Resolution of the Baptist Ministerial Association
OF Philadelphia.
| ResOiced, That we cannot too strong
ly utter our condemnation of the ac-
ton of the Board of Pardons and OF
the Governor, who, assuming without
constitutional authority, the exercise of
judicial function, have relieved the
criminals of all the more significant
portion of their sentence. and that they
should have done this in manner
which violated ,Ecir own established
rules, and allowed no opportunity for a
fair hearing of the friends of public
justice.
From the Lancaster New Era, Rep.
AS for the men who composed the
pardon board it ,oould be an otense tt
every citizen Of tie state if Mei,
names shoutd eUer again be mention
ed in connection acith places Of prOf
and trust
From the Phira North American, Rep.
The action of the pardon board is al
outrage upon justice,an outrage upon de
cency and an outrage upon system o
legal administration which is rendered
null by the viciousness Of personal pre-
negatives.
| From the Phila Press, Rep.
AS Republicans, aoe disOaon these bao
men who have bribed Legislators, anC
these governors and SECRETARIES
Quay who have cOsaniyed athe Grim,
by setting the criminals free in def
ance OF the constitution and laws.
The Carlisle Herald, then as now 6
Republican paper, called on the peo
pie of the state, MAY 6, lSS0) to
never forget "the man who paralyzed
the arm of justice and brought dishon
or on a name of which we are rightly
proud, and who have for theil
completely in fatal and widely domi
nant political crime melitod contempt
and condemnation" Chief among
them was Matthew S. Quay, now Re
publican candidate for state treasurer
From the New York Tribune, Rep.
A more insolent defiance of public
sentiment under cover of temporary
Difference to it, has not been seen since
Tweed asked the taxpayers of New
York what they were going to dc
about it.
From the Brooklyn Eagle.
Such an act in New York, in it
most corrupt days, would have stunne,
the community and involved conse
quences which can only be vaguel,
conjectured. 1t has astonished nobod,
in the state more interested. BetweeI
the railroad and the ring the peopl
have been so thoroughly crushed tina
official corruption is regarded as
matter of course. 1t is not to be re
gretted that such prodigious piece o
knavery, so open a confession of cor
ruption has been before the public. !