Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-09


OF the felon's family. Their pressure
Is necessarily great, and their beseech-
Ings invariably OF the most narrowing
sort. The writer knows goyernoS VINO
passed almost sleepiess nights when ne
had such petitions under consideration
ARE NOT USUALLY DESERVING.
on the other hand, Il Is always a JOY
| 10 an Executive when he can see his way
clear 10 the granting OF a pardon. IL
| is safe 10 say that the heart OF almost
every governor ycarns TO mitigate the
! rigor OF the law. but there are scores
/ OF reasons why such lenIency should be
| stinpily melted out Many criminals who
] have the good fortune TO receive their
| freedom, By pardon. forthwith return 10
their evil habits. The average law
breaker, too. will regard the unexpected
liberty conferred upon him-if such
liberty Is unexpected to hlm-as a con-
stitutionaI right. and as his just due. In
several instances under the writer's OBJ
servation the bcnefciaries OF this guber- |
material equity have been returned 10 the |
penitentiary within a year OF their |
release. Some months ago governor !
OF one OF our southern States. on visiting /
a prison. discovered an aged negro-one
might also say venerable negco-who
had spent some thirty years behind the
bars. All of the time served had been
for trivial ofTences of theft, involving
property which, I'm the aggregate. would
not have reached $500 I'm value. There was
something about the veteran thief which !
excited the pity OF the distinguished Wis
itor. and ne resolved 10 pardon him. with
In three months after his release Il was
learned that the ex-convict had again
been INDUCING his quondam propenstIes
as a chicken-thief. Ii is more or less the
characteristic OF the Ethiopian race to
purloin fowls. and those familiar with
negroes can overlook this weakness: but
in this case there were scanty grounds
for mercy. The superannuated sinner WAS
returned 10 prison. and in a few days he
fled another petition for pardon. The
tenor OF his papers indicated that he
confidently expected to regain bis lib
erty-that he deserved IT, in fact-but
doubtless to his profound sur
prise he received a gubernatorial mo"
which could not be mistaken.
XMAS GIFTS AND PRESCRIPTIONS.
Many men are pardoned on account OF
II health, providing, of course, this fact
S certified by the official surgeon, while
thers regain their freedom by the pro- :
uction of after-dscovered evidence or
y showing extenuating circumstances
asses of innocent men. convicted on cir
umstantial evidence, are often brought
} governors attention. Occasionally q
hort-term convict, who has been an ex- -,
nplary prisoner. awakes on Christmas
ay to find that the Executive has re-
rendered him. The prisoner who aids in :.
mutiny or attempted escapes ~
IN almost invariably look for reward. ol
he knowledge Of this, by the way, has a q, 81
ost salutary effect. Al
The form of a petition for clemency va ei
es, of course, according to the require pl
ents of the various governors. and in OF
me States (New York, for instance or
o applicant must conform to strict rules III
the preparation of his papers. In M
her States almost any petition, however pa
relessly prepared, will receive attention Sc
ID be investigated. The fact that the no
atemcnt of the crime and its attendant we
are badly expressed by no
cans implies that the case is without
arit. Examination may prove that the ne
titioner is an innocent man; or, at bil
lst. an unfortunate who. through his ST
verify and ignorance. has been denied of
e full benefits Of the law. On tha other elc
nd, however, ii would indeed, be reck- Of
s TO put absolute faith in any statement iii
attained In a petition, and whatever as he
'tion is made therein should be fully we
'estigated. II is the usual practice to ira
er all petitions to the trial judge or wa
)secuting attorney. these officials will an
familiar with all the facts in the case. of
d. as a general rule they will give the me
itioner every benefit of a doubt. Gil
text. the convict's prison record is OBJ cal
ned. This shows his conduct in the a
litentiary and the number of times, If
r, that he has been punished for vio-
ions of the rules. Should the record
we bad for the petitioner, he need hope
little clemency. 1t would set a bad
cedent to pardon such men. In this
nection, it may be remarked that the
owledge of some prison officials, in
ir estimate Of prisoners, is truly re-
rkable. Long association with the law
akers has given them an insight into
nan nature which I'm almost every in
nee enables them to accurately judge
onvict. Il. r. c.