The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-07-04
A Plea for Il Board Of Pa rdOns.

which should be brought before the coming
| legislature. Should not the pardoning
power be vested in body of men, rather
| than confined to one person? Under the
present regime the governor is the only per-
son who can grant a pardon. His many
duties prevent him from carefully consider
ing the many petitions that are presented to
him. From lack of time he is compelled to
depend upon the statements of others and
cannot investigate a case thoroughly him
self. Again, he will not pardon any one
without a petition, and every one knows
just about what petition represents-mon-
ey. friends, and perhaps political influence
How many within these walls, who. from
lack Of friends to procure intelligent cOun-
sci. and from the same cause unable to get
up petition. are suffering an unjust inn
prisonment? How many have been sent
here for terms grossly dispropOrtionate to
the Offense? How many have been found
guilty by juries, who. in the fever of public
excitement. really gave a verdict, not in
accordance with the evidence. but, carried
on by the great tidal wave of public opinion,
pronounced the fatal sentence which
doomed the unfortunate to living tomb?
not only taking away all hope out OF this
life but leaving him in the ante-chamber of
an eternity of suffering. The prosecuting
attorneys but fulfill their duties when they
bring supposed criminal before the bar of
justice. 1t is duty they owe the state to
prosecute every criminal with all their talent
and ability. 1t is not their written duty
that they should examine into the prisoners
previous character. and endeavor to find
mitigating circumstances. If the unfOrtu-
nate has money aud friends to bring these
things to the notice of the prosecution, it
may result in a milder sentence. but to re-
peat, it is not their duty. strictly speaking,
to Investigate this side of the question. AS
to the jury: In its selection, the fact of the
mere acquaintance with the prisoner, dis
qualities in most cases, one from being
accepted. OF course, juries are instructed
to give verdict in accordance with the
evidence but how rarely do they do this?
How few appreciate the grave responsible
ties of their position? How few carefully
weigh the evidence of each witness and en-
deavor to come to right understanding of
the case? How few try to see the better
side of the prisoners nature? How few
are willing to give him the benefit of the
doubt? And right then comes one of the
gravest of the judges duties, the charging
of the jury. A Judge knows, or should
know, exactly what state prison is; it is,
or should be, his duty to become perfectly
familiar with prison life and its moral,
mental and physical effects; and then,
knowing the terrible fate which thought
less verdict will bring to man, be should
the jury, (whO know absolutely nothing of
that dread place, to which their verdict of
guilty will doom the lost man); and not
only should the judge be most thorough in
his charge, but when the time comes for
him to pronounce sentence, he holds the
destiny OF that man in his hand, and I would
that for moment he could change places
with the poor unfortunate. He poor fell
low. has seen the evidence accommodating
against him. Mitigating circumstances
have been converted into damning proof of
guilt; his moral character may have been so
eloquently painted in such dark and fright
full colors, that he draws back aghast scarce
knowing himself. Now is the time for the
Judge to exercise his judgement, his wis
dom. his discernment. But how in the
name Of justice can he do this? Has he
the time to talk to the man; to investigate
his previous character; the causes which
led to the commitment of crime? All. no.
He can only judge from the little evidence
presented before him, and fulfill the decree
Of the statutes.
have tried to Carry prisoner from his
arrest to the penitentiary and showed how
little the state officials could possibly know
OF the personality of the prisoner. Now,
looking this question fairly in the face, can
any one question that, although the prose
cutiOn and judge have only fulfilled their