Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-19
PLEAS FOR PARDON.
GOVERNOR TYLER TURNS DOWN
OVER FIFTY APPLICATIONS.
MANY ARE RECEIVED EVERY DAY.
Every One Given Careful, Though
Sometimes Delayed, Attention.
Talks OF stopping Talk With
Prisoners.

Governor Tyler last night completed
the examination OF ffty-four applications
for Dardons
OF this number fifty-one were rejected
outright and three were held for further
consideration.
There are still a large number of ap-
plications for pardon in the hands Of the
Governor unacted upon. He has been
devoting all attention possible to the app
plications since the adjournment of the
Legislature, but in order to give each
case the close attention necessary he
has found it impossible to get through
with them as rapidly as possible. He
| was at work on them until late last
| night and when a Dispatch reporter
| visited him he was found deeply engaged
| considering the cases in which Executive
| clemency was asked
ALL RECEIVE ATTENTION.
The great majority Of these applica-
ttons have come i'm recently, but many
were filed during the latter part Of the
administration of Governor Tyler's pre-
ceived by the Governor are i'm the hand
writing of the convicts themselves. but
large number are presented through
counsel
1t may be some comfort to the men be-
hind the bars to know that though their
pleas be written i'm a hand scarcely legi-
BILE, the English of them be wonders OF
syntaX, and the photography sufficient
10 make the dead and gone dictionary
makers turn over i'm their graves. Cover
nor Tyler gives to every one his careful
consideration The Governor has stated
distinctly that he feels more interested
perhaps, or, at least. a convict does not
improve his chances Of securing a par
don by paying a man to come before the
Executive to argue for the granting of
one. There is something affecting in a
misspeled, begrimed letter written in a
prison cell to the Governor, asking gene
rally for what is claimed as justice, but |
nearly always concluding with a plea for |
mercy, which IS not possessed by the |
clean, formal typewriter document.
MAY SHUT OUT LAWYERS.
superintendent Helm does not approve |
of o0nvicts employing lawyers to present |
their papers to the Governor and he is |
considering prohibiting them from doing
so. He says that many of the prisoners
manage TO get together considerable |
sums Of money by working overtime in
the shOe-shops, and that many a one has
spent the last penny to pay lawyer to
try 10 secure a pardon. and is a prisoner !
still. He says while lawyers have been |
successful I'm some instances i'm having |
the Governor order the release of prison.
ers, in the great majority Of cases the
roy il 10 oil It'll
most lawyers honestly endeavor to have
their clients pardoned, he believes that
there are some who care for nothing but |
the fee they obtain, and make no effort |
to earn 1t, persuading the men there is
ground for asking pardon when none
exists.
This has about made him decide that
no more lawyers will be admitted for
the purpose OF discussing the subject of
oardons with the prisoners. He recognizes
hat the rule would be a harsh one. but |
he says he would establish it solely for
The protection of the convicts them
selves.
II may be stated that there is no hope |
II a pardon being issued by Governor |
ryler unless the case is clearly one i'm |
which he should interfere he has issued
several pardons since his term of office |
began, but in nearly every case the GER
ihcate of the prison physician stating
hat the prisoner was suffering with an
disease, accompanied the appli-
alton. In other cases, numerously sign
d petitions, generally including the ohi-
ials Of the trial court, were presented
With the plea for pardon.
HAD TO SIGN THE PLEDGE.
1t Is true. however, that not all the par '
ons which the Governor issues are re- g
uested by the physician at the penten-
larry, or by citizens of the community
rom which the men were sent up.
otable case Of this character was thar of ,
man named Smith, sentenced 10 a term
( several months in the Jail at Chris
ansburg for beating his wife The par
on was asked for by the prisoners wife. /
nd the Governor argued that If she was Z
illlng 10 have him at large. and felt
lat he had suffered enough, he would or
er him out. But he knew the felIow G
ell and from knowledge of his habits. t
as convinced that the castigation was t
iministered TO his better half while he a
as on a tear, so he made the pardon
'nditioned upon his signing a pledge Il
ever 10 drink again, and the payment of s
fine Of SIS. Smith agreed to the terms, o
nd is free. 1t is said that the faithful h
)scrvance Of his pledge will be punish Il
ent greater than a far longer term of
lprisonment than that originally i'm
,sed.