New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-21
AGAINST NKANE'S PARDON.
ALFRED p. coNKLING GIVES REASONS WHY NO
MERCY SHOULD RE SHOWN THE BAL
LOT-BoX ASSASSIN.
70 the Editor OF The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: I have just seei copy OF a New-York
newspaper stating that formal petition for the
pardon Of John Y. McKane has been presented 10
the Governor OF New-York. Among the sgners I
am astonshed to find tho names OF two clergymen.
suppose petitioners for the pardon of that
brazen ballot box bandit McKane will ask. What
has this to do with the Presidential campaign and
elections In New-York? My reply is that II has
everything to do with them. In talk with Gov
ernor Moeon last February denounced the idea
Of pardon for McKane. and when heard of
r,mor that a petition would be presented to the
Governor I wrote an earnest protest against the
release OF this notorious criminal have no doubt
that our worthy Governor will refuse 10 grant the
prayer OF the petition but new Executive will be
inaugurated in about three months. II he is
Democrat I predict that McKane Will be released
and restored to citizenship. and his vote VIII nulfy
mine a year hence.
H. on the other nand. the next Governor is a Re-
publican some one must be fully prepared 10 op-
pose the new application for a pardon which will
certainly be sent to Albany. Hence my reason for
making a public protest against Executive clemency
for McKane any other ballot-box conspirator
who may still be In prison.
Let me remind the readers OF The Tribune that
two Tammany thieves are still residing at Sing
Sing for stealing votes for Maynard e.. making
a false canvass Mt the colossal carnival OF crime
and corruption which called an election in the
Assembly
months ago a generous gentleman suggested the
pardon of these Maynard-Tammany thieves. when
I resented II and said l would warmly oppose the
application.
Practical politicians know full well how difficult
II Is to obtain convictions in election cases for
jurics will agree verdict Of guilty unless
the evidence Is overwhelming. Up to the election OF
1894 the Tammany ballot box thieves were won't 10
saw to their tools: you have the police, the mag-
trates and the District-Attorney with you. Now
what more do you want? Give US so many major
lty."
The same was virtually true OF Tammanys CO
conspirators In Brooklyn. Buffalo Albany ana
Troy In former years when outraged and pubic
spirited citizens compelled negligent District-At-
.orney to try persons for violation or the Election
law the few convictions. rather the morai effect
OF the convictions and sentences, were paruaiy
nullined by the pardons OF Governor Hill and even
President CLEVELAND.
So far as | know every Election law convict In
New-York up to the spring of 1894 was. with one
exception, a Tammany worker
Now, II the Governor OF the Empire state Is 70
nullify the work OF Judge and jury In the famous
and phenomenal McKane trial. IL Will greatly en-
courage other rascals IN city and state, not 10
speak of other conn unties
In 1884 the Presidency was decided by the honest
canvass Of votes In the State OF New YORK. ana ~
rs quite possible that the election OF Mckinley or
the Election law In several States. perhaps In one
State.
so much oY.McKanes gigantic conspiracy TO rob
tho honest voters OF Gravesend Of their sacred right