The Portland daily press., 1885-12-24
ASKING FOR PARDON.
The Governor and Council Give Hear
ings on Pardon Cases.
Lawrence, the Bangor Murderer
Asks for CIemency.
The Liquor commissioners Report
-AnIUnusualIy Busy Session.
Especial to the Press. J


AUGUSTA, Dec. 23-This mornings meeting OF
the Governor and Council was almost entirely oc-
cupled by hearings on pardon cases. The most
important of these was the John f. Lawrence
case. Lawrence was convicted in the first degree
of the murder of Elima Atwood, his mistress, III
Bangor, in 1870. He was sentenced to death ana
committed to prison September 18th of the same
year to await his hanging In 1871 his death SEN
tence was committed to Imprisonment for life. he
now asks for complete pardon He is a man
about 65 years of age and since committed to the
prison has conducted himself in an orderly and
gentlemanly manner as his wardens TESTIFY, a
circumstance which has its due weight in the mat
ter of pardons. Col. II. i. Mitchell of Bangor ap-
peared before the Governor and ounci in behalf
of Lawrence and made clear and able presenta-
ton of his case. He read petition signed by 200
citizens of Bangor. asking for his pardon. A let
ter from Senator Frye, who was attorney general
at the time of Lawrence's conviction was also
read. Senator Frye recommends that mercy be
shown. Letters were also read from Ex-Warden
Rice, Warden Bean the Penobscot county attor-
ney at the time of the trial, Ex-Governor Davis
and several others, all asking for clemancy for
Lawrence at the hands of the Governor and Coun-
ell. The ground taken by Col. Mitchell in speak
ing for the petitioners was that the verdict in
as at the time of the murder he was not in any
way responsible for his action. His counsel at the
trial strongly urged an aquittal on the ground of
insanity. Col Mitchell claimed that he had al
ready served five years more than the sentence
for manslaughter, and that Justice demanded his
complete pardon. By a vote of the Council the
matter was for the present tabled.
The next case taken up was that of James A.
Morse of Waterville, now serving two years
sentence in the State Prison for perjury, having
been committed about year ago. III. M. Heath
of this city, who was acting county attorney at the
time of his trial County Attorney Haines and Sher
iff McFadden came befOrethe Council and pleaded
for the pardon of Morse. They claimed that after
Morse's trial it was found that it was nota case of
intentional perjury but rather the result OF mis-
apprehension of terms. The alleged perjury was
committed when Morse was before the court for
violation of the liquor law, and on account OF
not fully understanding the terms he swore that
he paid No special liquor tax when it was subse-
quently proved that he did. He has already served
one year and the gentlemen appearing in his be-
half claimed that it was more than adequate pun
ishment for the crime committed. The matter
was laid on the table.
Col. Mitchell also appeared for the pardon of
Richard Price who is serving sentence Of 800
don was asked on the ground of sickness. The
matter was tabled. 1t is understood, however,
that the Council will refuse to grant the pardon.
The report of State Liquor Commissioner Clay
ton which was handed in today shows that the
sales for the year ending Nov 80, 1885 amounted
to S64069.12. The sales at the Portland agency
were of course the largest, amounting to $685.
353S5. The Lewiston agency comes next, the
sales there amounting to S6,115.31 Bangor,
Biddeford, Watervie, Bath Pennington and
Rockland follow in the order named. list of 20
cities and towns is furnished by the commissioner.
The expenses for the year have been $2,21980.
Governor Robie was called away on the after
noon train to attend the funeral Of his brother.
The Councilmen present, Messrs. Hatch, Smith,
Fernald and Sands held short session this after
noon. They will adjourn tomorrow until Monday.
The session will then continue through next
week and probably till the close of the Legisla-
tive reunion. The Councilmen at this meeting
will be unusually busy, since it will be necessary
for them to finish up the business of the year.