The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-03
WHAT THIRTY GOVERNORS SAY
Continued from Ninth Page.)

Continued from Ninth Page.)
ances that the interests of the public would
be best subserved by doing So"
The governor has exclusive authority in
the matter of pardons in Ohio, the state
having a board of pardons, the power of
which is only to hear applications and re-
commend. Gov. A. s. Bushnell thinks this
system is founded on the proper lines.
Executive clemency should be extended. -
he says, "only when it is evident the ends
of justice have been satisfied, and when
there is good reason for doubling the guilt
of the accused" ABUSES arise" he says
Through false representation and hypoc-
risy, and any executive who releases a
convict for any reason other than a con-
sideration of justice to all concerned acts
wrongfully."
The pardoning power in Oregon was for
merly in a board, but is now vested in the
governor exclusively. In Gov. Lord s
judgment the power is properly lodged in
the executive. ConSidera tons upon which
the pardoning power should be exercised
are, in his judgment, exemplary conduct
of the convict the discovery of evidence
which would have affected the judgment
and occasionally question of public pol
icy. The uses of the pardoning power are
he says, to serve the needs of society and
government, by obyiating injustice.
The pardoning power in Pennsylvania is
vested in pardon board, composed of the
lieutenant governor, attorney general, Sec
rotary of the commonwealth and secretary
of internal affairs No pardon can be
granted by the governor unless upon the
recommendation of this board, but the
governor has the power to refuse to par
don even after recommendation made
by the board.
GOV. Hastings says 'In answer to
your question, Can this duty be best per-
lNxrt ba oh
ecutive, or a separate board?' I reply en-
phatically that it is safest to lodge the
power in a board of pardons'
The governor exercises the pardon power
in Rhode Island except in cases of i'm
parchment and Gov. Chas. Warren Lip
pitt considers that method entireiy salts
factory. Gov Lippitt is decidedly opposed
to granting pardons as he believes full
considera ton is given criminal cases at
their trial. 1T is a waste of the state 5
money" he says "and subversiVe of the
laws of the state for pardon to be grant
ed to a prisoner after conviction following
one or more full and impartial trials"
The private secretary of Gov. Ellerbe of
South Carolina writes as follows: THE
pardoning power is now vested exclusively
in the governor, but the constitution re-
Gently adopted provides that the legisla-
ture may elect a board of pardons. This,
however has never been done. This duty
can undoubtedly De DeSl peIlOEIuGu ny d
board of pardons Gov. Ellerbe will prob
ably in his next message, ask the legisla-
ture to elect board of pardons. First, JUS
tce; second, mercy"
The pardoning power in South Dakota is
vested in the governor where the sentence
is for two years, or less, When for a
greater length of time there is a pardoning
board comprised of the president of the
supreme court, the attorney general, and
the secretary of state, with the final APP
proval of the governor. 81 think our sys-
tenn is very good" says Gov. Andrew Z.
Lee, "as the governor cannot act without
the pardoning board nor the pardomng
board without the governor, and hardly in
any case would both be wrong. The par
doning power, like everything else, can be
misused unless conscientiously performed
after thorough investigation into the mer-
it's of the case"
Under the constitution of Texas the par
doning power is vested exclusively in the
governor. There is a board of pardon ad-
visers, composed of two persons, whose
duty il is under the law, 10 examine ell
applications for pardon in the first in
stance and make report TO the governor,
who grants or refuses pardon as his
judgment may dictate. This Gov. Gull
berson says, relieves the governor of a
great deal of work, in fact, much work
which he would be utterly unable to do
in this state, and yet holds him RESPONSE
BILE for the exercise of this delicate power,
and l am disposed to believe that it is as
good a system as can be devised
The pardoning power in Tennessee is
vested In the governor exclusively. Gov.
! Taylor considers this the best arrange
ment Gov. Taylor pardons convlcts
whose health, according to the report of
the prison physician, is in such a condi-
| ton that they cannot live long. Other
pardons are issued on the ground that the
sentence is excessive for the crime COM
mitted. In granting a pardon the youth
of the prisoner, his previous standing, his
record while in prison. and his intention
TO make a good citizen. as manifested by
his conduct, are all considered, Gov Tay-
| Tor says.
| Gov. H. NJ Wells of Utah was very
| ELUSIVE on the subject, as it is one in
which he is much interested. The pardon
| power in Utah is vested in a state board
! of pardons consisting of the governor, the
| attorney general and three justices of
the supreme court. In Gov. Wells opin-
! ion II the governor of a state is actuated
! by unselhsh motives and has an unpreju-
diced mind, THE pardoning power will be
better exercised if entrusted to him alone.
because he can then give each application
! careful consideration, and ascertain the
| truth or falsity of the representations
made" Pardons should be granted, he
says, where innocence is established
where genuine repentance is manifest and