The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-13

The case of Mrs. Atkinson, wife of Gov
now on trial for forgery, may become cele-
brated in more senses than one 1t is al
ready SO in the fact that woman of high
social position, beautiful, wealthy. refined
and educated, is charged with committing
a penitentiary offense. She is charged with
having forged the name of her second hus-
band, Judge Camden, Governor Atkinson
being her third husband. He is a man of
high character, a church member and Sun
day school teacher. .As Mrs Atkinson was
under indictment when he married her, in
June last. it may be inferred either that
he believes her innocent or that he is very
much in love with her-perhaps both. All
these circumstances tend to make the case
celebrated but 1t may become more If
she IS convicted, because then there will
occur a conflict between love and justice
such as probably never occurred before
The question, then, will be whether the
Governor Will let the law take its course
or pardon his wife. No novelist or drama
fist ever conceived a more trying situation
than this would be- AS husband the Gov
ernor would be bound to stand by his wife,
come veal or woe, while as an official he is
bound to do his duty by the State. If his
wife, after fair trial, is found guilty, will
he dare to go behind the verdict of jury
and pardon her for purely personal rea-
sons? Some who know him think that
rather than suffer his young wife to go to
prison he would pardon her and with the
same penful of ink write his resignation.
But he cannot do that without making
record. The Constitution of West Virginia
has a peculiar provision regarding the par
doning power 1t says:
The Governor shall have power to remit
fines and penalties in such cases and I'M
der such regulations as may be prescribed
by the law; to commute capital punish
ment, and, except where the prosecution
has been carried on by the House of Dele
gates to grant reprieves and pardon after
conviction; but he shall communicate to
the Legislature at each session the par
tlcularS OF every case of fine or penalty
RENTED or punishment committed and Of
reprieVe or pardon granted, with his rea-
sons therefor.
Under this provision the Governor must
communicate the reasons for a pardon to
the Legislature. That adds to the embar-
rassment of his situation. The circum-
stances are so peculiar that the New York
World wired to the Governors of other
States asking their opinion as to the ethics
of the case. Governor Mount replied: "a
Governor has no legal right to extend Glenn
ency to his wife any more than to any one
else" 1t is quite clear what the Governor
intended to say yet he does not say it quite
clearly. AS a matter of fact, a Governor
has a legal right to issue pardon in any
case for reasons satisfacto to himself
the responsibility always being his. Evil
IDENTIFY Governor Mount meant that the fact
that a convict was a Governors wife
should not count in her favor in an appli-
cation for pardon. Governor Stephens, of
Missouri, took a sentimental view of the
case. He replied: mo true man with the
pardoning power would allow his wife to
remain in prison unless he was anxious to
get rid of her." This seems to ignore the
idea of official duty entirely. However it
may be viewed the case is a most embar-
RAISING one. Let us hope the lady may be
honorably acquitted