The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-08
SECRETARY BLAINE ASKS.
He Sends Formal Request for the
Full Pardon Of John A.
Rowand,
Jacob Poled Failed to Secure q
Writ Of Habeas Corpus
Yesterday.
An Important Water Suit Now ON Trial Ii
the District Court--Many Parties
Interested.

It is not known when the board of par.
dons will reach a decision in the matter OF
the application of John A. Rowand for a
pardon. The case will probably not be
brought up for discussion until the govern.
or's return. which will not be for several
weeks. Great pressure has been brought
for pardon by Rowand and his friends.
They have used every possible means to &C.
cure this end and it looks now as though
they would succeed. Rowand. it appears,
comes from an excellent Quebec family.
His aged mother has made personal ap-
peal for executive clemency and his friends
have secured the influence of Sir John A.
Mcdonald, the Canadian premier. Sir John
in turn has asked the influence Of the state
department at Washington. He has also
secured the assistance of Sir Julian Paunce-
fote, the British minister at Washington.
Ihe result of all this pressure is the follow
ing letter from Secretary Blaine, received
yesterday by Chairman Haskell of the
board OF pardsns:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, May l, 1890.
To the Board of Pardons of the state of
Montana:-it has been represented to this
department by officials from Canada and by
the British minister accredited to this
country, that personal justice would be
done it John Alexander Rowand were re-
leased from prison, where he is confined
upon conviction for granddaughter. It has
been represented that there are circum-
stances connected with the unfortunate act,
has been. represented that the jury
that convicted Mr.. Rowand has petit
toned for his release, and that
the governor of the state has issued
a pardon to the approval of your honorable
board. Under these circumstances as a
matter OF international courtesy, I have the
honor to request that the Board of Pardons,
if their conscientious sense of duty approves,
will advise release of said Rowand. Under
circumstances not dissimilar, the British
government has in several instances paid
heed to the respectful request of the United
States. Such interchanges often bring re-
lief to deserving persons, and in the belief
that t aa this case is one properly appealing to
official c!emency, do not hesitate to inter-
pose with whatever weight request from
the state department may carry. With
great respect your obedient servant,
JAMES &. BLAINE.
It is said that there are certain inside
facts in the Rowand case that have thus far
not been given to the public. Against the
sentiment developed by Rowand and his
friends there is very strong feeling that he
SooA'oS AZ oymHdVAyS ouO mOIeOFeF ClaC
he was fortunate to escape without tho
death penalty. 1t is believed that matters
have been misrepresented to the state de-
partment at Washington by Rowand, who
claims that he is British subject. It is
said to be known that he is an American
citizen and that he has several times voted
in this country. On account of the promin-
ence of his friends, as we'll as the known
facts concerning his crime, there is more
than usual interest attached to the case.