Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-18
THE NAvAssA RIOTERS.
Their Death Sentences. COMMITTED 20 Impris-
onment for Life.

onment for Life.
The President disposed Of the case 81 the
Navassa rioters today. His action is embodied
in the following Endorsement Of the application
for executive clemency;
II have examined with care the papers sub
mitted in these cases and am not willing that
the death sentences should be executed.
The killing Was. as to each OF the prisoners.
satisfactorily established, and that 81 was
felonious h also clear. But the condi-
tions surrounding the prisoners and their
fellows we're Of Q most peculiar oharsc-
ter They were American citizens under
contracts TO perform labor upon specified
terms within American territory, removed
from any opportunity TO appeal 20 any court
OF public ofhcer Tor redress OF any injury or
the enforcement Of any civil right Their en-
ployers were in fact their mAsters The
bosses placed over them imposed zines and
penalties without any semblance OF trial
These penalties extended Go imprisonment and
even 20 the cruel practice OF tricing men mp
for refusal 10 work. Escape was Impossible
and the state of things generally such o might
make men reckless and desperate. The United
States government should provide by Law Tor
the execution Of contract 10 labor In Nsynssa,
before public officer whose duty 10 should be 70
see that the men who go TO labor are Wen IN
formed as to the nature of the obligations as
sumed, and should maintain on the island an
official with power 60 hear complaints and 20
adjudge controversies. have within q few
weeks been compelled 70 send war
vessel TO the island TO investigate the
complaint of q workman who by q let
ter complained 90 me that he Was
forcibly detained beyond the time contracted
for. A report upon the case has just been re-
ceived which finds that the complaint Of the
man Of an unjust detention upon the island was
true. A board of naval officers from the kesr-
sarge made inquiry into the condition Of things
upon the island, and conclude their report ss
follows:
ave would desire to state further that the
discipline maintained on the island seems TO be
! that of a convict establishments without in
| comforts and clean linen, and that until more
attention is paid 20 the shipping Of the laborers
by placing it under government supervision 70
prevent MISUNDERSTANDING and misreprs ssnts-
| tons anu until some Amelioration 10
| shown in the treatment OF the lsborers these
disorders will be Of constant recurrence. In
| this connection we desire TO say that the
| fault does not seem to be with the superinten-
dent, but with the company, which eglects d
| heed has Recommendation and further 20
supply food OF a quality and at the proper
times for it 10 be both sufiicientand palatable.
This is not a case for pardon; the crime WINS
\ a very grave one, but taking into account all OF
| the antecedents ana incidents have concluded
10 commute the sentences 20 imprisonment for
life. The sentences in the eases Of George
s. Key, Henry Jones and Edward Smith, con-
| victed of murder IN the circuit court OF the
| United States for the district of Maryland aud
| sentenced to be hanged, are each committed TO
imprisonment for lie at hard labor in the penn
tertiary. lSigned) Benz. HARRISON"