The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-08-19
pANFoRrH PARpoNED.
Gov. Northen Gives at Large His
Reasons for Executive Clemency.

GOV. Northen Gives at Large His
Reasons for Executive Clemenoy.
Atlanta. Ga, Aug ls.-Gov. Northen
to-day pardoned j. X. b. Danforth, who
killed Lonsberger in Macon and was sent
enced TO life imprisonment. The case is
one Of the most notorious in the criminal
annals of the and the pardon will be
read of with interest.
STORY OF THE DIFFICULTY.
Danfortb was employed by Lonsberger
The former asked for an increase OF pay,
stating in justification that he had an IN
valid mother and sister dependent upon
him. Lonsberger made an insulting re
mark about the young mans mother he
left the store, but returned some hours
later and shot the man who had offered
the insult.
TEXT OF THE GOVERNORS PARDON.
In anticipation of public criticism, the
governor requested the publication Of his
official pardon order in full, and IL Is here
given:
Whereas. J. r. b. Danforth was convicted
OF the crime OF murder at the April term
1888, OF Bib superior court and sentenced 10
the penitentiary for life; and
Whereas A number Of petitions have
been presented to me invoking clemency In
his behalf. and containing the signatures OF
more than 800 names, many OF them Delng
among the very best citizens OF the state
and thoroughly familiar with all the clrculn
stances Of the homicide and the character
and standing Of the defendant; and
Whereas The said Danforth has been in the
penitentiary nearly eight years undersaid sen
tence during which time he has deported
himself in a very oreditable manner, being
faithfulin every particular and declining to es-
cape from prison when he had an oppor-
Whereas. The Hon Thomas j Simmons,
associate justice Of the supreme court VINO
presided at the trial Of the said Danforth,
writes to the executive as follows; The de-
PENDANT was legally tried and convicted,
and there can be no legal reason for
pardon; however, the constitution
of the sta gives ot d the g governor 6
is convinced that an error was com
mitted on the trial or that the evidence did
not justify the verdict but when in his opinion
the ends of justice have been subserved and
no deUimony to the public interest Will en-
sue. In view Of the large number OF cltl-
zen OF Btbb county who have signed THIS pc
tttion many of whom I know to be men OF
high character with the interest Of the com
munity at heart, ] have concluded to recon-
mend his pardon, and will respectfully request
your eXcellenoy to grant It," And
Whereas, The Hon. l.. Hardeman,
who prosecuted the defendant as solicitor
general Of the circuit at the time of his con
viction, urges the pardon Of said Danforth, as
do also all the jury who rendered the verdict
against him. And
Whereas, The Hon. Clifford Anderson, ex-at-
torney general of the state, who represented
the state in the hearing Of the case before the
supreme court says: My opinion was and
is now that the decision Of the supreme court
was correct under the strict law of the case,
but the more | have learned and thought
of the case since particularly within
the last few months the greater
has been my doubt as to the young mans
moral responsibility. I hope you may feel at
liberty to favorably regard the application for
his pardon" And
Whereas, having carefully examined
the facts as presented to me, 1 am satisfied
that the punishment suffered by the defen-
dant has met an the demands of the law, and
that public justice will not suffer by his re-
lease.
II is therefore ordered that the said J. r.
b. Danforth be and he is hereby pardoned of
the said ofense, and he will be discharged
from custody