Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1895-12-31

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some who had been detained in
prison. The Attorney General re-
called the state of public opinion
the time of the State trials. It
was generally felt that the sen.
tence. of death was deserved by a
number OF prisoners, and that no.
thing else would suffice to ensure
the stability of the Government.
However, the Executive had DEEM
ed it proper to substitute sen fences
ofpractically life i'm prisonmen. for
the death penalty. Then, on the
Fourth of July, a large number
of the followers of the insurrec-
ton were released from prison.
Public opinion among supporters
OF the Government continued to
become ameliorated, until as
Thanksgiving Day approached
there was a decided sentiment
prevalent that even the leaders
should be pardoned 1t was diff
cult for him to understand why
on that occasion discrimination
had been exercised with regard
to prisoners who were at least
equally guilty.
Minister Damon said that il
there was any one thing that had
produced harmony in this commu-
nifty it was the exercise of clemen-
cy that had been made. The
change in feeling toward the Gov.
eminent bad been almost more
than the case deserved. The
world moved swiftly and Hawaii
must needs keep pace with it.
If there was any promise of
strengthening the Government by
severity, perhaps it might be said
that too much haste had been
used in granting pardons. Blu.
situations are constantly chang
ing and we must keep up
with the rest Of the world. 1t is
graceful thing that this Govern
ment should grant amnesty at the
close of the year. I believe the
people at large will respect the
Government for it more than ever.
We must always have an opposi-
ton, but, in my opinion, there
will be more popular confidence
in the permanency of the Repub-
lie consequent upon a magnani-
nous policy toward these often
ders than has yet been shown.
Minister King said: l opposed
pardon on the last occasion, as you
all know, but now 1 am in favor
of the pardoning of all the re-
naming prisoners. ...
Mr.. Wilder: Some of the most
guilty have been pardoned. Some
who were perhaps more guilty
than any of the prisoners were
never tried. Whether our action
before was right or not there is
only few left in prison. Let US
err on the side of mercy. l was
in favor of making clean breast
of it last time, and letting them
all out. / move that the prayer
of the petitioners be granted.
Mr.. Murray seconded the
motion, yet would have the par
dons come as a voluntary action
of the State, without regard to the
petitions at all.
Mr.. Kennedy asked about the
conditions.
Minister Smith answered that
the pardons would imply suspsn-
sion of sentences.
Mr.. Kennedy suggested that
the prisoners should all be re-
leased not later than tomorrow,
If possible let them out tonight.
President Dole remarked that
il the Attorney General had been
present on the. previous occasion,
he would have recognized the diff
ference between the cases of the
prisoners released and of those
detained. Those pardoned were
just as guilty perhaps, but their
attitude for some time had been
different from that of the others.
Although the Executive Council
had recommended pardon to more
than the Council of State
would agree to, yet there
was real reason for drawing the
line that was drawn at that time.
Certain prisoners had drawn up
petitions and others had not. ]
think that distinction is now prac-
tically done away with.
Mr.. Jones: Does this dispose