Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-12-27
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.
FREE MEN ONCE MORE.
The Reasons Why Governor Waterman
Has Pardoued Five Prisonars


The Reasons Why Governor waterma,
Has Pardoned Five Prisoners.
Yesterday Governor Waterman pardone,
five men from State and county prisons
Below is given a list of the successful an
plieants, together with the Governors rea
sons for issuing the pardons
James McNamee, convicted in San Fran
cisco, September, 1887, of burglary in tn,
second degree, and sentenced to two year
and six months in the House of Correction
This seems TO be case of youthful indis
cretlon the petitioner being but boy O.
the age of II years. The appeal in his be
half is presented by Hon. John Foley. the
Superintendent of the House of Correction
who says that during ten months of i'm.
prlsonment the young man has been care.
fully watched, and his conduct has been
most exemplary. He seems to be thor.
oughly reformed, and is prepared to make
good use Of his opportunities, and that
further imprisonment will be highly preiu.
dicial to his future career of an honest. IN.
right and useful citizen. Upon this repre-.
sentation feel fully justified in graniing
his pardon"
Harry A. Olsen, convicted of burglary in
the second degree in Santa Clara county in
July, 1888, and sentenced to one year.
. This is the case of a youth of II years who
IN rash moment committed the crime for
which he now suffers imprisonment. /
have received personal letter from Hon.
John Reynolds, Superior Judge by whom
tine boy was sentenced, recommending that
he be pardoned, on condition that be ship
on sea voyage, to last not less than one
year, and in which he states as follows
Considering bis youth and the hope of
reformation it affords think it would not
tend 10 Tetard the just administration OF
the law If he should be pardoned on condi-
ton that be ship on long sea voyage. [
have concluded in view of this to pardon
the boy on the aforesaid condition"
Joseph Morrow, sent in May, 1881. for
murder in the second degree for eighteen
years. :" This pardon is requested by Hon.
A. +. Jones, the present Senator from
Butte county, who at the time of the trial
was the prosecuting attorney by nine of
the jurors who tried the case, the remain
ing three jurors being dead or having re-
moved from the county; by the Judge.
Leon d. Freer, and by numerous citizens
of Chico. Senator Jones in a personal
letter says that Morrow's crime was nothing
more than manslaughter and when prose-
cutting him did not expect or desire any
other verdict. Morrow is now about 20
years of age, infirm and crippled, and
unable TO perform manual labor of any
kind. 1t is my belief that the law has been
fully satisfied by the term he has already
served, and that in simple Justice he should
be pardoned."
l.. B. Miller, convicted in Fresno county
in April last and sentenced to pay fine of
$500 or serve 300 days in the County Jail.
" The facts in this case are as follows: In
. a moment of anger the petitioner struck his
wife with his open hand, for which he was
arrested and upon the advice of his lawyer
pleaded guilty, believing that the Courts
Judgment would be small fine. The petit
toner and ia mily are poor people depend
ent upon their daily labor for support and
are unable TO pay such an excessive fine.
Petitioner has already SERVED about $50
days, which l believe is fully sufficient for
the crime committed"
G. L. Foster, convicted in Alameda
county in February, 1888 of an assault to
murder, and sentenced to imprisonment
for six years. The assault for which he
was convicted and sentenced was COM
mitted under very extenuating circum-
stances, while his right arm was broken
and in sling. The man upon whom the
assault was made, one George W.
Silver, has the reputation of being
OF very quarrelsome disposition
and generally under the influence of
liquor. He, Silver. has figured conspicu-
Ouolg III tuc OOuIlS Vi AidIl6Ua county
for number OF years, has been convicted
of numerous crimes and his wife granted a
divorce from him on the grounds of ex-
treme cruelty. On the other hand Foster
was formerly a member of the police force
of the city of Oakland, and was known as
one of its most efficient and faithful Off
GERS. His reputation has always been of
the very best, and prior to this trouble he
had never appeared before Court except
as one of its officers. He has already been
imprisoned about year, and his family
are in rather Strengthened circumstances,
owing 10 the loss of his support. believe
it to be in the interest of Justice and hu-
manity that this man should be granted a
pardon. His petition is signed by ]. P.
Allen, H. H. Taylor, Paul E. Scott, and
other officers of the Bank of California, by
Abner Doble, n. W. Spaulding, James A.
johnson, City Attorney of Oakland; Fred.
NJ. Campbell, County Superintendent OF
Schools, and many Others