Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-06-27
A GENUINE SURPRISE.
SChWab. FieIden and
Neebe Released.
GOV. ALTGELD'S REASONS.
Action Generally Meets With Approx.
al Of Chicago Officials.


the history of the northern Illinois state
penitentiary has there been such q sensa-
tion at the prison as took place yesterday
afternoon when the pardons of the an
archists were handed to Warden Allen.
Edward S. Dreyer, a Chicago banker, ar
rived from Springfield with the pardons
for Michael Schwab, Samuel Fielden and
Oscar Neebe, at $50. He went direct to
the penitentiary and told the warden that
he had in his possession the pardons of the
trio of anarchists now confined within the
walls Of the penitentiary.
Warden Allen sent for Neebe, Schwab
and Fielden, and at o'clock the three
walked into the warden's Office, where
they were met by Warden Allen and Mr..
Dreyer. Mr. Dreyer first told them he had
their pardons. They were surprised, and
they expressed their thanks to Mr. Dreyer
and Warden Allen. The faces commenced
to brighten up and they were the happiest
men that ever left the prison. They ali
declared that they were innocent men and
Had Been lille egsIly Punished.
They were then taken to the clothing
room and rugged out In citizens suits, and
then they were taken to the dining room
where supper was served at 6:20 They
walked into the prison Office and were
given tickets to Chicago, and they bid the
warden good bye. They then left for
their homes In Chicago. Excitement was
at high pitch all about the penitentiary,
and as they left all cast look upon them.
Schwab, Neebe and Fielden's records as
prisoners are good. They obeyed all or
ders of the guards and worked hard and
faithfully during their entire term.
General AItgeId's Statement
accompanied his pardon OF the imprisoned
anarchists. 1t contained 1900 words.
The governor reviews the history of the
Haymarket meeting Of May 4, 1885, In de-
tail, and says the basis Of the appeal for
pardon was the petition signed by sew
eral thousand merchants, bankers. Judges,
lawyers, and other prominent citizens OF
Chicago, which, assuming the prisoners to
be guilty, stated the belief that the pris-
oners had been punished enough, but
number of them who have examined the
case more carefully, base their appeal on
entirely different grounds and assert:
First-That one jury which tried the case
was packed jury. selected to convict.
Second-That according to the law as laid
down by the supreme court, both prior to and
again since the trial of this case. the jurors,
according TO their own answers, were not
competent jurors and the trial was, therefore.
not legal trial,
Third-That the defendants were not proven
TO DO guilty of the crime charged in the in
dictment.
Fourth-That as to the defendant, Neebe,
the states attorney had declared at the close
of the evidence that there was no case against
him, and yet he has been kept in prison all
these years.
Fifth--That the trial jndge was either 90
prejudiced against the defendahts, or else 50
determined TO win the applause of a certain
class in the community, that he did not grant
fair trial.
The governors statement sustains the
five specified points in the appeal referred
to and says that the facts tend to show
that the bomb was thrown as an act Of
personal revenge, and that the prosecution
never discovered who threw it.
Speaking Of Judge Gary. he says: 1T Is
further charged with much bitterness by
those who speak for the prisoners that the
record Of the case shows that the Judge
condu ted the trial with malicious ferocity
and forced eight men to be tried to-
gether," etc.
The Sentiment In Chicago.
CHICAGO. June 27.-Regarding Governor
Altgeld's pardon Of Fielden, Neebe and
Schwab, Captain w. III. Black, who was
bnt ictptiuk CouuScA AOE eiC uSiChSC III euCik
trial, said: This pardon will not weaken
the law, but Will strengthen 1t and will in
crease the respect for the law In the minds
of the people,"
Frank Walker, one of the states coun-
sel 10 the case, said: "The only effect the
pardon might have, might be to lessen the
fear OF punishment In the minds Of men
like them. But then, fanatics never know
fear"
Generally speaking, the pardon Of the
three men met with the favor of the city
officials who cared to express an opinion.
Mayor Harrison expressed his feelings In
the single word, Good"
Chief of Police McClaughey said he did
not believe either Schwab or Fielden,
whom be knew well at Joliet, had any
direct connection with any purpose to de-
stroy life.
Judge Collins saidi "The evidence
against the convicted was patiently heard
and carefully weighed, passed regularly
from the trial court to the highest tri-
bunals, and think the people are agreed
that this should have been accepted a.
Analv