The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-09-19
The Hanging of Allen.

from the Great FallS Tribune.
Joseph H. Allen yesterday paid the
penalty of his crime to the law by
dangling at the end of a rope till he
was dead. There was no question of his
guilt. In fact in the last words he
addressed to the public he carefully alb
stained from protesting his innocence
of the crime of premeditated murder
There are very few people in the COM
munity who are familiar with the evil
dence against the man who were not
thoroughly satisfied with his guilt. Yet
very strong effort was made by GER
tain ladies to induce the governor to
spare his life by committing his SEN
tence. Governor Smith showed that he
had moral courage enough to refuse the
entreaties of these well meaning ladies,
and do his duty. however painful it
NAV have been to him. He did right
when he refused to exercise his preroga-
tive of executive clemency in this case,
and the people will respect him for the
firmness he showed. 1t is evident
enough that Governor Smith does not
lack nerve to do his duty by society
when a question of executive clemency
arises, provided he is not deceived as
to the facts. One reason why he has
been somewhat severely criticised by
newspapers for too great leniency
shown criminals in the matter of inter
fering with the sentence of the court is
as to the facts in the case. When an
application for pardon or Communication
of sentence is made on behalf of a
criminal guilty of some offense long
since forgotten in the community in
which it occurred. it is seldom that any
one takes the trouble to controvert the
alleged facts as set forth by the at
torney for the criminal in his applica-
ton for pardon, and the governor is
likely to proceed on premises that are
far from the truth. 1t has always
seemed to us that it would be a wise
provision of the law that made it oblig
atory on the part of any criminal petit
tioning the governor for interference
with his sentence to furnish along with
his application a complete transcript of
the evidence on which he was convict
ed. We are satisfied that if this was
required there would be fewer pardons
granted by the governor.
In this instance Governor Smith had
all the evidence before him and came
to the conclusion that his duty to So
ciety forbade his interfering with the
just sentence of the law
A Brilliant Meeting.
From the Madisonian.
The press association met last week
in the beautiful city of Anaconda. The
gathering was the most magnificent
and enthusiastic the pencil pushers
have had the pleasure of experiencing
since the organization of the jovial yet
brainy men who mould the public sem
timent of Montana. The people Of Ana
conda were proud of the occasion, and
extended all the courtesies of the city.
1t being the 10th birthday of the Ana
conda standard, she entertained most
royalty, and nothing was too good for
the boys. The Madisonian, owing to
lack of space in this issue, will not at
fat, oyNt ITO tpiN 1aya La e H.
proceedings; suffice it to say that the
business sessions We're of more than
usual interest. and the entertainment
was of the highest class, notably the
address by the veteran editor Judge c.
C. Goodwin of the Salt Lake Tribune.
The celebrated Boston & Montana
band uiscoursed enhancing music dur
ing the two days session. The business
session came to a close Wednesday af-
ternoon by the selection of Kalispell as
the next meeting place. The banquet
given by the Standard as a part of it's
celebration was an elaborate affair.
The large dining room of tie Montana
hotel was beautifully decorated with
streamers of the national colors, palms
and ported plants. Down the long ia
bles frequent bouquets of sweet peas,
dainty tea roses, and at each plate was
carnation for the gentlemen and a
rose for the ladies. Nearly 200 people
sat DOWN 10 the supper, WHICH WAS
served in courses. 1t lasted from 1880 |
p. m. to a. m. The service was sump- |
tuous and the event in every way was
brilliant.
Carletons Questions.
From the Fergus County Argus.
State superintendent Carleton, who |
practices law a great part of the time |
and is said to be quite as good lawyer |
as he is a school superintendent, is be- |
ing SharnlX criticised for the stvle of |