The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1895-01-12

used IN the construction of new build
ings. there would still remain the sum of
So 900 for maintaining the institution.
| assume that the experience OF the
next two years will not be more trying
than those of the last two: and IL this
prediction shall be verified. the sum Of
$4,000 will be ample to meet any ex-
cess above earnings required for ordi-
nary support. believe 1t will be found
sufficient unless business conditions
become much worse than ! anticipate.
or some serious calamity overtakes
us. also recommend the usual |
appropriat ton of 1000 for the library
and To supply reading matter to con-
victs. am informed that the board |
OF inspectors recommend that the sal |
ary of the prison physician be in |
creased from 81. 200 to 81. 500 per annum. |
The large increase ia the number OF
convicts has added greatly to the labors |
and responsibilities of that official. and
believe the recommendation of the
inspectors should receive your favora-
BILE consideration.
section 8. article of the cOnstitu-
tion requires the governor to report to
each general assembly the number of
| pardons. communications, etc, granted
during the previous two years. with
the reasons therefor. Herewith shall
transmit statement in detail. made in
compliance with the provision Of the
constitution referred to. In general
way. it is sufficient to say that during
the biennial period just closed have
granted 10. pardons and thirty-four
communications. Under the previous ad-
ministration 200 convicts were granted
pardons.
''Apropos to the subject of pardons,
l desire to invite the attention OF the
general assembly to the advisxo oility of
establishing board of pardOns, or n
board of pardons and inspection. The
penitentiary has grown to be stu
pendous concern, and its magnitude
and Importance will continue to IN
crease with the CROWN OF tne stete'
There are now fully 1000 applications
for pardon pending before me. IL
pressure from this souree =
Mothers. wives,
of all dcEre0r
are Coz
thn0 ~
g xfoW tue ire
me eAeeaSing strain ON
nery Vitality resulting from
the heksssing incidents connected vain
these nQt1tl0nS vast amount OF time
is consumed IN giving them stoentlon.
Scarcely day passes that aconsiaer-
. able part Of 1t is not aosorbeei IN tnis
: way, and 1t not nnfrequentiy happens
: that whole days, sometimes severai sue
( ceeding days. are taken mp almost en-
1 tirely in listening to applseattons fo'
!. clemency. The cares and duties In
2 posed upon the governor have grestiy
. multiplied in recent years, and impor'
{ tant public business is often much
: delayed by the number and persist
ency of those who come to impor'
4 tune the executive for favors tn Pris
5 oners confined IN the Penitentisry
A "Would it not be well to follow thu
Il example set by many OF the leading
n states and establish board of par
h dons? Under the constitution tn
l. pardoning power is vested in the gov
l. crnor, and presume he cannot be di
4 vested Of 1t without amending tn
4 fundamental law. 1t is possible tha
O. the power to grant absolute psrdo
II cannot be conferred by statute upon
- board. but IL could be empowered :
n examine into cases and 70 make recon
n meudationA without attempting :
n abridge the original power of the go'
ernor himself, he could De suthol
- lied to refer applications 70 Tn
~ board to be examined and sreporte
- upon. In that way the governor coui
,e be relieved from these distressing 81
"a noyances, ana . vast amount OF vsis
nj able time now given 70 tneso invest
os cations he saved and devoted 70 puci'
a business On the other mana, NUN
is opportunity would DO snordca pEaso'
.;r ers for o more prompt, patient. ana
IT. telligent examination into mer1eor1o'
oo applications for executive reasef
lis believe that fuiiy W per cent
re- these applications Tor ciemency -
re without merit, or ut least not emitted
mt serious consideration. ! believe the
ed are comparatively Few instances
,rs which executive authority Is Justiu'
ri in disturbing the Judgments OF u
, is courts Solemn judicial sentenc
rot should not be vacated eNeeP' ior peI
ew mount reasons; but, AZ the same TN
,ep no citizen should be permitted to 81
nd fer injustice even though the mana.
OF under which ne Is neio mas 'ne ~.ac''
es. of court.
ds. Il believe there are in the aggrega
out quite number OF cases which DO
serve executive consideration. wi
for a,sOO prisoners confined in the penite
,av tinry, OF all sexes and of all ages frt
. sixteen to three-score and ten, q
are victed Of crimes OF all grades and
~, all classes of testimony, it wonld
hu, strange il there are not some who Z
o,,, the victims of passion, prejudico, n
a.. take or conspiracy. The duty OF pa
- ing upon these applications
,;tv trying and delicate o
,en The man, or men. who can I
:, -. charge it successfully and
h,, the right spirit, must combine
Ill power of resistance with patience. 4
no '"e H""'s s,...,.-.,-..;.,.
itu- paci'y ~. eo 80. .s-;S,.,
and oeneVs nuo ;.s....;r., ,;,'. .,,;.