Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-05-15
A BUSY SESSION
VI Governor and CounciI--
Nominations Confirmed.
Long Hearing en- the Pardon Petition
OF James N. Lowell.
Claim Made that He Internationally Cause
His Wiie's Death.

Governor Powers and Council were
at the State House, in session. Friday
q greater part of the day, attending te
routine business.
The regular nominations We're con-
firmed.
Judge A. r. Savage Of Auburn, who
mas been appointed to the supreme
Jualoiai bench, was in the city, Friday
lie VIII take his oath of office, this
morning, at the continued session. He
ana not receive the oath, Friday. as the
term of Judge Walton, whose place he
takes on the bench, did not legally ex-
pre- until midnight. Friday.
The case of Charles Geibs, the 10
years-old boy, whose petition for re-
lease from the State Industrial school
was heard at the last meeting of the
Governor and Council, was referred to
the trustees of that institution with
recommendation that the boy be re-
leased
n hearing was held on the matter of
placing the contracts for furnishing the
$500 worth of photographs, as provided
for by the Legislature. Two photo
graphers appeared, submitting their
work, ". II. Gay of Portland, and j. f.
Clarity of Bangor. The decision was
referred to the next meeting of the
Council The photographs are for dis
tribution to boards of trade, etc. to be
placed where they will advertise the
State to advantage.
The claim of extra services at the
State prison, on the cases of criminal
insane which We're sent to the Insane
Hospital for treatment, amounting TO
$3.50, was referred back to the special
committee of the Legislature, which
committee had placed the matter in
the hands Of the Governor and Council.
The latter decidess that it has no juris-
diction over the matter.
The meeting of the Council was ad
iourned at ) O'Clock until this morning,
for short session. 81 r
The entire morning was taken on the
pardon case presented for the release
Of James NJ. Lowell. now serving life
sentence. from the State Prison. The
Fearing was an interesting one, from
the very nature of the case alone, to
say nothing of the ability and earnest
eloquence Of the counsel presenting the
matter.
Hon. Seth NJ. Carter of Lewiston was
counsel for Lowell. The case was
Thomaston. He was more than inter-
esting, and his brief story of the Incl
dent which caused the mans impris-
onment was told to attentive listeners.
Mayor Judkins of Lewiston, the pres
ent county attorney, as provided by
law when required, appeared for the
government side of the case. He said
little. He made no direct protest
cainst LowelTs liberation, but merely
and briefly called to their attention
some facts of the testimony-how Low
ell had told one story at the trial, and
lin which latter he presented the CHIEF
claim for his releaSe-namely, that
while he killed his wife, it was wholly
lunimentional. 1t was during little al
tercation while driving along that
famous Switzerland road, that she mac
fallen from the carriage and had
| broken her neck Afraid of confessinS
land, as will be shown, on the recon-
mendations of his then counsel, Hon
f. f. Pillsbury. another defence was
offered, one that was planned to meet
on legal ground the allegation OF the
,rosecution. This. in substance. was
| to the effect that, could it be shoWf
mat the remains found in the Wooc
were those of his wife, Lowell must
| from circumstantial evidence, be guilty
of murder in the first degree.
Mr. Moore briefly recalled the event
If was in 1870 that the alleged murder
took place Lowell was committea lol
life in 1874. thus having been IN prison
% wears. He is now Sc years of age
He sroke of their relations previous It
Mrs LowelTs disappearance-hoW the1
had often gone to ride together, ah'
been very friendly Even on the Jay
|her last ride he had called at the poaro
ing house in the broad daylight; ah'
what was by no means irrelevant I
the case, while Mr.. Lowell had sho"
,ttantions to other women, uhere ha'
lhaa, M one that he was especially d.
|tentive to, which might have peeh oi
lfered as a cause for his waning NJ
,yifa.s removal. AS to his marriage
his second wife, which took place II
l1s71. this was shown to be with d 1"''s
s,chusatts woman, whom. at the TN
az the alleged murder, Lowell did no
know. X sot.;,
o,a,,t on the QeIdll