Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-05-09

Governor Watson on Pardons.
There is something very frank and
outspoken about Governor Watson.
He takes the people into his confidence
and makes open statements for every.
body 10 hear, concerning the principles
upon which his official action will pro-
coed. His first official act after taking
the oath-even before he had chosen his
secretary--was a statement for publica-
ton thai he would not make reappoint-
ments. Those who afterwards made
personal inquiry, discovered, that the
Governor meant what he had said-that
he had given his full confidence to the
public. The non-reappoIntment policy
was manifestly pleasing to the general
public, and it is more satisfactory,
plainly announced at the beginning, to
those who might have sought reappoint-
aient, than it would have been if they
had run up against it individually after
making an application and putting forth
sxertions to secure endorsements.
Recently the,Goyernor makes second
frank nnouncement-thi5 time in re-.
gard to his use of the pardoning power
II is the first occasion of his exercise of
that power. A man sentenced to i'm
prisonment, pillory and iashes is in such
i'll health that it would not be humane
to inflict the whipping, and so the
Governor postpones that part Of the
punishment to future date when the
criminals health may be better. If he
should not get well enough to endure
the ordeal before the expiration of his
six months in Jail, the lashes will be re-
mitted altogether; but if he becomes
physically able to stand it, the Governor
will let him take the punishment. named
in his sentence. His treatment of this
case is in itself evidence that the
Governor does not propose to interfere
more than is necessary with the SEN
tence of court of justice. But the
Governor does not leave the public to
draw differences.
He announces through the papers that
the pardoning power will be used witt,
great caution and reserve during his
administration. Justice is to be sup.
ported instead of interferred with.
When a criminal has been convicted
and sentenced, the Governor thinks thai
prerequisite for pardon at his hands
should be the approval of the judge:
before whom the case was tried or Of
theattorney- general who prosecutedit.
With this view dominating the
executive, no political pull will be suf
iicient to pull criminal out of Jail
Petitions for pardon signed by Smith
Jones and Brown who know nothing
definite about the case, will have nc
weight Sentimental pity for the hard
ship Of Jail life upon thieves, murderer
&ua 6ther doors of evil, will net NOV,
the Governors hand to sign pardons.
Doubtless the public will appreciate
the frank spirit in which the chic
magistrate has again taken them int
his confidence; and certainly there will
be very general approval of his deter
minatlon to rely upon the judges aut
Encouragement for advice when
n comes to issuing pardons. They nav
Y heard all of the evidence and have givel
it careful study They are best able L
estimate the real worth Of any newl
discovered evidence, and to appreciat
any mitigating circumstances. The
will not be reckless in approving of pal
ht1t ,sii1l ~ e. II, i