The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-08-28
DENIES CORRUPT MOTIVES.


4 letter supporting Gov Rogers acton
IL pardo1ing Convict George Z. Stevens.
was resolved yesterday by the Pqss-inteI-
l!gencer from NJ ii. Holmes Jns Of the
head officials OF die state penItentisry. In
his communication Mr. Holmes speaks Of
thu article referring 20 che Stevens case
which appeared In the PosE-InieIligsncs
August q As there tod. the press OF The
state has freely accused Gov. Rogers OK
interested motives In psrdoning Stevens.
DIR. Holmes denies that such motives ex-
isted ard supports his denial W the fact
that the state board OF pardons recon-
mended the freeing OF Stevens. The POST
InteIiiseneer has made no allegations Of
corruption or improper motives Oh the
part Of Gov. Rogers N this connection.
The matter has been so thoroughly aired
in the state newspaper that the post-IB-
teli4xencer presented TO It's readers an i'm
partial report OF the light in which Gov.
Rogers exercise OF the pardonfng rowsr
Is By many regarded. The material facts
given ~ Mr.. Holmes in his letter to this
paper are az follows.
Last April II. X. Hill OF Olympia, was
discharged from position AZ he state PEN
3teaLary for the good OF the service
True 10 his yindictive nature, aided and
abetfet by others more discreet. II not less
malicious than himself, Hill rushed into
print. and over his Signature the Olympia
Standard published several articles relat-
Ing to the pardon OF George I. Stevens
and various other matters. When ny at
tention called to thesa cmnmunca-
tions, l publicly denounced the most ma
ter!al allegations as q willful. Infamous
and malicious lie
IF you will take the trouble TO send your
reporter TO the eftice OF the governor and
have him examine the flies in the Ease OF
Stevens. you viii find his application for
a pardon indorsed and recommended by
ali. or nearly al. Of the officers of skagit
prosecuting attorney ana numerous other
citizens. You VIII also find an affidavit
from the officer who arrested him. a letter
from the warden OF the state penitentiary
certifying. among other things. TO his
prison record and 10 the state Of his health.
and also very strong letter from the hon
Henry Mcbride. the Judge who tried ana
sentenced him. and concurred in ny the
prosecuting attorney who conducted his
prosecution for the state.
With these papers before them the
state board Of pardons recommended the
irnmetiats pardon OF Stevens Upon these
papers and recommendations the governor
granted him a full pardon.
In one OF his letters 10 the STANDARD.
Hill gave what purported TO be the prison
record of Stevens as shown by the books
CT the deputy warden. l suppose 1t Is upon
this statement that you base the allegation
In your Issue o! August x that the prison
record or Stevens was bad. What his con-
duct was during former administrations. |
do not know but j do know that during
the present administration II was good.
Stevens has an aged mother and
brother. I understand they are among the
most respected citizens OF Skagit county
He also has a taughte: at school. Even If
guilty as charged. which have good rea-
sons for believing he was not. he has ex-
plated his crime by a service OF more than
four years In the penitentiary and IS now
a free man with no legal charge against
him.
"of the other cases mentioned in your
- nxSfg Ia,
knowledge but go far as my observation
has gone. Gov Rogers has investigated
each case conscientiously and has rem
Gered his decision upon the record shown
according 20 his best judgment without re-
gard 70 the wishes or opinions OF friend or
foe. II they have no better Foundation
than the Stevens case, the personal and
political enemies OF Gov Rogers must be
short OF campaign ammunition