Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-01-22
waite. move for a Pardon.

The announcement which we made last |
week, in the last part of our edition, that
movement was on foot for the pardon of S. |
Nj. Waite caused a decided sensation in the
community, for before that not even a whis-
per of such thing had reached the public
ear. Developments which have since come to
light indicate that the movement originated
at Rutland and has its chief strength there
1t is undoubtedly the case that it takes the
form of petition or letter from Waite him
self, asking for his pardon, this letter being
endorsed and supported by letters from his
counsel, L. j. Phelps now minister to Eng
land, and ex-Judge Barrett, and by letters
from other prominent Rutland men whose
sympathy Waite has secured. 1t is unques-
tionaby the fact that the movement gained
very small support in Brattleboro. We have
the best of reasons for believing that it Sc
cured the names of less than half a dozen
Brattleboro people, and probably the number
was not more than three or four We judge
that something like dozen prominent citi-
zens were approached on the subject, but
with very few exceptions they declined to
have anything to do with the matter The
case was worked with great secrecy because
it was we'll known that if it came to the pub
lie ear it would arouse a storm of indignation
and opposition. So far as we can learn, no
formal petition for a pardon was circulated,
the movement exclusively taking the form of
letters from men of more or less prominence
endorsing Waites personal petition for par
don. Probably the two main points which
are urged are Waite's alleged struggle for
years to Save" the bank and its stockholders,
and the present pretended precarous condi-
ton of his health. We feel sure that neither
Gov Pingree nor any other state officer en-
dorsed the movement.
The usual or prescribed routine for an ap-
plication for pardon for a criminal under
the Federal laws is for the application to go
to the President the President refers it to
the attorney general, and that official sends it
to the United States attorney, of the district
in which the applicant WAS tried and sentenc-
ed, for a statement of facts. This is precisely
what has taken place in the present instance.
Our publication of last week brings out the
fact that Col. Haskins, United States attorney,
received the papers in this case week or ten
days ago, with instructions to report upon
them. After consultation with Judge Wheel
or, Col. Haskins has made up his report
comprising full statement of all the facts
involved, and has forwarded it, with the orig
nal documents to the department of justice
Judge Wheeler also making a short statement
the purpose of the two being to give
the department and the President full infor
nation on which to base an opinion as t.
.l.Nl, -, l..
Haskins declines to disclose any facts or de
tails further than are here indicated, on thu
ground that it would be improper for him t,
do 30 in his official capacity. We believe i
to be safe to say, however, that both Judg
Wheeler and Col. Haskins declined to max
any recommendation in the case, but oonfne,
their statements to a recital of facts
We can add nothing to our statement of las
week relative to the sentiment of this commu
nifty about extending executive clemenoy t
Mr.. Waite. That statement was correct an
not by any means overdrawn. Those VIII
have suffered most by Waite's rascality So
that il he serves out his sentence and the
takes himself out of the way they have n
desire to pursue him further but if he sc
cures pardon and affronts public sentimeu
by attempting to remain on the scene of hi
crimes, they will spend any money and us
any means necessary to secure for him hi
just deserts at the hands of the law. II
decidedly our opinion that a careful and con
prehensive statement should be drawn up
once, showing the reckless, high handed wa
in which Waite abused the confidence repose
in him and brought men and women to pc,
erty and premature death, and the defian
brazen and unrepentant manner in which /
has borne himself since the governmeI
brought him back after he ran away. Tn
statement should be circulated for signature
and should then be sent to the attorney gen
raj or the President, so that there may be L
doubt what the sentiment Of this communit
is regarding a pardon which outside parti
have taken it upon themselves to ask for.
Waites sentence Of six years runs uni
June, 1887. Under the state law, howeve
he gains five days month for good behavio
and this allowance would bring his confn
ment to an end next August. Probably OF
motive for asking pardon arises from a fee
ing that pardon from the President wou
somehow rehabitate him before the publ
The statement, however, which has bee
made in the daily papers, that pardon wou
restore to him the rights of citizenship,
founded on misapprehension. Waites col
viotion and sentence did not involve the lo
of his rights Of citizenship after his releas