Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-02

our oyster beds and the preservation ~
| the States properties that mad been SUI
fering long from the persistent depfsna
s9ns Of people who Pay no no i nons on on IN,
| privileges Of citizens. 49,
| 20 The enforcement OF respect Tor the
| law and State authority from the hordes
| OF moral lepefs who had infested the VT
ginia bank OF the Potomac river opposite
| Washington city for decade or more,
making that part of our territory veri-
| table pest spot
II have also had constantly in mind
| the declaration of the Constitution that
| all citizens of the state possess equal
civil and political rights and public privi-
leges and i'm the discharge of my duties
/ have made no discrimination. / have
endeavored to be, In fact. the Governor
OF all the people. without regard to race,
class. or condition.
THE PROBLEM OF PARDONS.
I'm the exercise OF the pardoning pow
err the Governor says. like all my pre-
decessors, as / imagine, | have been most
soreiy tried, and frequently perplexed.
The Executive ear is filed almost daily
with plaintive appeals for clemency. He
must be exceedingly cautious, so as To
guard against imposition. at the same
time he must take care not to allow his
suspicious to make him deaf TO a worthy
plea. He should have a heart to feel Tor
another's woe, yet not so tender as 10
lead him to set aside the laws stern de-
cree upon mere grounds of sympathy or
the promptings of a mdudlin sentiment
tally. In the exercise of this Executive
prerogative l have been guided by a de-
sire to season justice with mercy when
II could be done without danger to the
interests OF society. In all cases Of con-
victs stricken with disease beyond hope
OF recovery and with death fast approach
ing, / have felt that humanity demanded
their discharge, that they might end their
days among kindred bound to them by
ties that even the disgrace Of the prison
garb could not sunder. In the cases Of
youthful convicts l have frequently ca
tended clemency, satisfied that continued
would harden them I'm criG,,
while with their experience as a warning
pardons might encourage them, and in
duce them to reform. In some Instances
have regarded the punishments inflicted |
as excessive. and / have not hesitated to |
the sentences. 1t may be |
thought by some that | have exercised |
the pardoning power too freely, but IL |
they will look into the facts they will |
ind. | think. at least reasonable ground |
N every instance. At any rate, II / nave /
made mistakes, they have oeen on the |
nae of mercy, which more becomes a
magistrate than too stern Justice
I'm the expenditure Of the fun IS AT my
disposal | have been as economical as
roper administration of the law, the IN
erests of the State, end the lust de-
hands OF claimants would allow. l have
appreciated the necessities Of the Com
and have scrutinized Carefully |
very claim that has come before ME-
II have now briefly laid before the peo-
lie who honored me with their confidence
ny gubernatorial record. i could not
hange II If / would, and / would not
hange it If / could. What | have done
have done for the best, and leave my
cts in the hands of "a people who will
ender just and impartial verdict"
LIST OF LYNCHINGS.
The following is the list of lynchings in
'irginia from 18S 10 1897, inclusive. given
$ an appendix TO the Governors mes
'-e.