The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-02-20
EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY.

The executive of state has many
goerpleXing questions to settle of which
the general public knows little or
nothing about, and as there is no ques-
Ebion worth considering but has two
sides, and champions for and against,
the governor, standing as mediator,
s1djudicator or arbiter, is very often
placed III most trying position.
Whichever way he decides there are
plenty of people who stand ready to
condemn him for his act, and as the
disappointed class of people is al
ways more outspOken and bitter in
aienunciation than the other is of sus
aaining his acts, grievances are aired,
she governor unduly censured and
3he public aS a whole, left in blissful
fgnorOnce of the motives which
promted his decision. While this is
but human, it is hardly fair to the
executive who has only one course
Geft open and no means of Sinking
the responsibility. The judge, on the
sfnding OF . Jury, sentences the crimi-
nal TO the penitentiary for specified
form or DEGREES that he shall be hang
ed. After brief lapse of time pc
zition is circulated for pardon or COM
snutatiOn OF sentence. There is no
middle ground left for the governor.
He must either deny the prayer of
petitioners or grant it. If it is deni-
ed he is at once set down as man
without heart; one who has no chart
Ey for suffering humanity, and a por-
sion of the community Immediately
proclaim him unfit to hold the high
office to which he has been called. If
Ge grants the pardon or commutes
The sentence, then he is weak minded:
gives in too easily to sentiment;
Jhwarts the ends of justice and makes
a Sarce out Of our criminal laws. All
aheSe things does the Governor have
TO subject himself to in the discharge
of his official duties, and it matters
mot how meritOrious the case, nor
whether he decides pro or can, adverse
criticism is sure to follow.
There are now before the Governor
at Minnesota three petitions asking
Cor the Communication to life impriSon-
G1ent of as many men under sem
GSnce Of death. These men have all
ESeen tried according to established
custom and found guilty of muir
e1erin the first degree. Two land pos
ssibly the three) have appealed for re-
Lief TO the Supreme court and denied
4 re-trial. On general principles it
would seem that the law should be al
lowed to take its course and these
men be made to atone for their crimes
Oy hanging by the neck And yet
Ghere may be mitigating circumstan-
GEES connected with the affairs which
call Cor executive clemency and of
which the public knows nothing.
zrhe pressure brought to bear in many
= OF these cases is almost irresistible.
: .1tnot infrequently happens that the
Jury which conyictS, the Judge who
sentences, the attorney who prose-
9utes and whole community where
the deed is enacted, join in petition
ing the governor for mercy. What is
.ae to do? Close his eyes and ears to
@IiaappealS and say he won't, or open
both, permit the warm words of sym
pathy TO fill his soul and be guided in
E1is decision accordingly? This, from
the the Minneapolis Journal, seems tt
ut vacuum right here.
The Governor is getting punctured by tn
Ssonntry press for pardoning Adamson. Their
rs strong public sentiment, favorable to tn