Evening star., 1897-02-15
ASKING FOR PARDON
The Application in the Case of Captain
Henry Howgate.
Famous Case Recalled to Pull lie
NOtice-In the Hands of
Judge McCOmas.

Within the next few days President
Cleveland will be asked to pass upon an
application made by Henry w. Howgate
for pardon. The application was recently
filed and was referred by the Department
OF Justice to Judge McComas and District
Attorney Birney for their recommendation
1t Is understood that Mr.. Birney will return
the papers to the Attorney General with
the Endorsement thereon of Judge McCo-
mas and himself in day or two.
What recommendations, II any, they have
made they. Of course, decline to state, but
Howgates friends have reason for feeling
that they will not, at least recommend
that the application of the unfortunate
man be wholly deaied.
The readers of The Star are familiar
with the case. Howgate having been one
OF the best known men here years ago
when he was an officer in the United
States army snd disbursing officer of the
signal office. before he was charged with
the embezzlement of more than 100000 OF
government funds.
His arrest in the early eighties, his in
dictment in eight or ten cases, his commit
ment 10 jail and his escape from custody
In the spring of 1882 are facts well renem-
bered. Then the arrest of the man In New
YORK city In September, 1894. where he had
been engaged in business for several years.
years. Is also well remembered.
1t Will also be recollected that he was at
once brought on here, lodged in Jail and re-
indicted
dictments the following February, the jury
returning a verdict of not guilty In each
case the oath of February, 1895. The fol-
lowing June he was again placed on trial.
ana the list of that month was convicted
before Judge McComas on two indictments,
one charging forgery and the other falsifi-
cation of his accounts. The following
month"; new trial having beln denied him,
Judge McComas sentenced him to the AL
bany pen1tenttary for a term of four years
in each case the sentences to take effect
from date of imposition.
An appeal was taken to the Court of APP
peals and the defendant was released on
bail The appellate court affirmed the judg-
ment Of the lower court in each case the
following fall. and late in November, 19g5,
Howgate was carried to the penitentiary.
There he mas. of course, still remained.
The jury, in returning a verdict of guilty,
which they rendered 1fter a long consider
alton of the case, strongly recommends 1
to Judge McComaS that only jail SEN
tence be imposed. That the court could
not do under the law, but the Judge con-
sidered the jury's recommendation of
mercy and impo6ed much less than the
ma ximum penalty in each case.
1t Is understood that Capt. Howgate by
which title he Is best known here is con-
u
that he is in delicate health and that he
mas proven himself to be a most exemplary
prisoner having been made librarian of the
prison II 10 said that these matters are
set forth In his application for pardon. and
the claim y made that he has been sufTl-
ciently punished. The attention of the
president is also called to the fact that on
the first trial a verdict of not guilty was
rendered In each Of the two indictments
Then. again. 1t is pointed out that he
was permitted to remain at large unmo-
Tested for thirteen years; that his presence
IN New York city must have been known
to the autho rifles. and that at the time of
his arrest he was engaged in an effort to
lead an honest and upright life.
1t Is said that not only will the jury
which convicted him indorse the lpplca-
ton OF Howsate for pardon. but it is also
safo that many business men of promi-
nence In New York and very many people
mere Will also indorse the applica ton
The daughter of the unfortunate man
who has been at all times a loyal, devoted
child. and his counsel Messrs WorthinR-
ton & Heald and Jere NJ. Wilson, are doing
all In their power for Howgate, and they
reel that If pardon Is not granted him his
sentence will be materially reduced. 1t is
not improbable that petition asking for
favorable action will be circulated here for
presentation to the President The unfor-
tunate mans friends believe that If II
should be it would receive thousands OF
signatures. Deducting the allowance for
good behavior. Howgates sentence of eight
years means actual Imprisonment for five
years and four months