The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-11
WHAT CLEVELAND SAID.

After some delay the papers in the case
finally reached the President and he made
an examination of them. 1t was near the
close of his term, after the election of Will
liam Mckinley and he did not act. He
made the statement however, that he did
not feel like refusing the pardon. Mr..
Cleveland said that ne would leave the case
on his desk as unfinished business, to be
taken up by his successor.
The matter was in allegiance when
President Mckinley came into Office. To
him were sent additional petitions, and
letters were written by Frank B. Burke.
district attorney at the time Coffin was
convicted John W. Kern, who assisted Mr..
Burke in the prosecution, and w. ii.
Hawkins, who was United States marshal
during all the time the case was in court.
These gentlemen all recommended strongly
the granting of a pardon to Coffin. Other
men of prominence also wrote personal
letters to President Mckinley, bringing to
bear the strongest pressure possible IN be-
half of the convicted man. w. II. H. Mil
Ter, who was attorney general under
President Harrison, and who was asso-
ciated with Ferd Winter and Duncan &
Smith in the defense of Coffin, made a
trip to Washington and personally talked
with the President in his clients behalf.
1t has been known for two or three
months that President Mckinley was con-
sidering the case favorably. de had init
mated on several occasions that q favorable
outcome of his investigation of the case
might be looked for. 1t was not until yes
terday, however, that the friends OF Coffin
by some friends of Coffin last night that
they understood from expressions lately
made by the attorney general that the par
don might come any day.
Ferd Winter, one of Collins attorneys,
was told last night that the pardon had
finally come. Il am glad to hear it," he
said, for | believe ii is justice. / think
the man was convicted largely on public
sentiment, and l am convinced that this
sentiment has now changed and is ready
for his release 1 think Frank Coffin is
much of a man and that he showed it
throughout the trials of his case by every
act. / am convinced that public opinion
is now ripe to receive the news of his
has acted wisely. 1t was a strong pres
sure which was brought TO bear in Coffins
behalf. Those petitions were signed by
every class of people and by many of the
leading business and professional men of
the city.
LETTERS FROM BURKE AND KERN.
And then there were letters recommend
ing the pardon that were bound to bear
great weight and receive careful consid-
Grafton. 1 understand that Mr.. Burke, who
prosecuted the case, agreed some time ago
to recomm end the pardon soon as his
term of Office expired, and l have been told
that he wrote such a letter TO the Presi-
dent Mr.. Kern, l believe also wrote such
a letter. l am not informed as to whether
Judge Baker ever asked for the pardon or
consented to it.
Messrs Duncan & Smith. who were also
of the counsel for Coffin, We're informed of
the President $ action. Neither had much to
say regarding IL, except that he was glad
TO hear the news. Mr.. Smith said he had
not been actively engaged on the case and
was not in touch with the affairs as they
proceeded. Mr.. Duncan expressed his graft
fication and said he hoped that Mr.
Haughey would also be pardoned. He is
more interested in that client than in Coffin
the efforts in behalf Of Coffin having been
left in the hands of Messrs. Miller and
Winter. Mr.. Duncan has seen the President
personally regarding the Haughey pardon
and there IS a large petition asking for 1t in
the Presidents hands. There has been no
intimation however, of what the President
intends doing in the Haughey case The
friends Of Haughey are inclined TO feel that
the application for his pardon is TO be re-
jected, else il would have been announced
at the same time as the Coffin pardon.
II is expected that Francis Is. Coffin will
come to indianapolis to-day. Mr.. Coffin 5
friends say the telegram from Attorney