Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-15
MR.. BLAINE INTERCEDES.
He Urges the Pardon of British Sub
ject Convicted I'm Montana.

IL the Montana state board of pardons win
only listen to Secretary Blaine they will assent
to the release of a man who is now serving life
sentence, having been convicted of man
slaughter two years ago in the territory of
Montana. This story is interesting one.
The prisoner for whom the State Department
pleads is named John Alexander Rowand, and
he was born in Quebec. His parents are
wealthy and the family is said to be
highly regarded even in that home
of old-time French-Canadian aristocracy.
When Rowand committed the crime for which
he was convicted his relatives used every pos
sible instrument to set him at liberty. A
brother of the present governor of Montana
was of his counsel The jury brought in a
verdict of murder in the second degree, which
resulted in a life sentence.
When Mr.. Toole became governor of Mon
tana he at once showed desire to pardon
ROwand and he would have done so long ago
had not the board OF pardons refused to con-
cur. This temporarily fractured the hopes of
Rowand and his friends. but they soon re-
covered and went to work again. Sir John A.
Macdonald, the Canadian premier was the
man they were after and thew reached him
He was very much interested and soon COM
municated with Sir Julian Pauncefote. her
British majestys representative in this country
ana CITY OFF Jullan TAXED the matter over
with Secretary Blaine and the result was the
following letter to the DIRECTORS in Montana:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON. May /. 1890
To he Board Of PdrtioHs of the State Of Montana:
IL has been represented to this department
by officials from Canada and by the British
minister accredited to this country that per-
sonal justice would be done if John Ale xander
Rowand were released from prison, where he
Is confined upon the conviction of man
slaughter. 1t has been represented that there
are circumstances connected with the affair of
a strongly ameliorating character. 1t has been
represented that the jury that convicted Row
and has petitioned for his release and that the
governor of the state has issued a pardon. sub
Ject to the approval OF your honorable board.
Under these circumstances. as a matter of in
ternational courtesy, have the honor to re-
quest that the board of pardOns. if their con-
scIentlous sense of duty approve. advise the
release of the said Rowand Under circum-
stances not dssimilar the British government
has IN several instances paid attention to the
respectful request of the United States. Such
interchanges often bring relief to deserving
persons and in the belief that this case is one
properly appealing to official clemency | do
not hesitate to interpGse with whatever weight
request from the State Department may
carry. With great respect,
Your obedient servant.
JAMES G.. BLAINE,
Secretary of State.
Nothing can be done in the matter Just now.
however. because Gov. TOole is off on his we'd
ding trip. When the honeymoon is over and
the governor has returned to Helena it is more
than probable that he and the board will agree
and ROwand be released
Mrs. ROwand and two daughters have been in
the city for some time, stopping at the Hamil-