The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-01-09
The e. Hin Pardon dovement.

/ Gov. Atkinson is 20 be commented Tor
I resisting the pressure brought 10 bear
upon him in favor Of pard0uing Harry
3 Hin. II De had pard0nad Hin he would
I have made a precedent that would have
T justified any other convict in ASKING and
/ expecting pardon. Hls action would have
\ been virtually an assumption that Ilr-
. dons are favors DO the SIT Of the exec
utive. and not thinss dependent upon
justice and law. HH had fair trail
and the jury found him guilty. and there
does not seem 10 be- any doubt az his
zuut Indeed. il we are not mistaken.
the question Of bis guilt was not raised
iu the application for pardon. The APP
plca5ion was based on the ground that
his health was not good. and that he
was not likely TO live ont his term
Hin has served only one year % his
term OF five years. and the impression
is that he is having a very easy time
Of IL in the convict camp. j. is not likely
that his health is any worse where lie is
than il would be II he were released from
the penitentiary. His surroundings may
locality. and the duties required Of him
are not onerous. II the testimony on that
point is to. De credited
II was asserted In the statement made
20 the governor that he is shown special
consideration by the prison keepers. why
he should be treated more leniently than
convicts who have fewer friends is "a ques-
ton that a good many people will ask.
lie Is being punished in accordance with
the law. and st is no part Of the business
OF the prison keepers 10 defeat the pur-
pose Of the Law. Il Is always the case,
however. that the rich and Influential are
granted favors that are denied to those
who are poor ana friendIess.
The petition in INNS behalf was par
ticula.ly strong one. Many no doubt
signed Il who would have condemned
the governor IL he had granted il. They
refused to disoblige acquaintanccs by de-
clining 10 sign it, They wanted TO win
the good viii OF those who are seeking
HIS release. and in their efforts 20 DO
so they selnshly increased the burdens
of the governor Instead OF acting the
part Of good citizens and holding no
the hands Of the governor. they aided
i'm an effort to break down the laws.
Among the signers Of the petition were
many members of the egislature-men
who make the laws. and who are sup
ported by the people while making them.
What excuse they can have for their ac-
ton they would find It difficult to say.
They must sometimes wonder whether
they are fitted TO represent the people
In a legislative body.
If there were doubt Of Hilrs guilt there
would be a good excuse for asking for
his pardon. But there is no such doubt.
1t IS even said that he has confessed
his guilt What's the use of maintain
ing the expensive machinery of the law
if the laws are to be practically nunihed
by the pardoning power?
1t is natural Of course. that the rela-
tives and immediate friends of Hin should
try to have him pardoned. Their action
is TO a very great extent excusable. They
stand upon a different plane from those
who signed the petition for pardon simply
to oblige some friend OF acquaintance.
1t is pity that men cannot live up to
the responsibilities of citizenship. In re-
fusing the pardon the governor did right
ana his action in the matter win be COM
mended.