The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1899-10-14
abiding citizens.

On 27th of last May we had &C.
casion to comment upon the man.
ner in which pardons are obtained.
We do not know Of ANYTHING that
we might say now which would add
to the views then expressed. We
reproduce below portion OF our
editorial Of that date, not with the
aim Of throwing any light on the
subject for that has been exhaus-
lively handled by Judge Voorhies,
but merely to show that The Ga
zette has viewed with alarm this
growing tendency Of many people
to extend mercy where the welfare
of society demands rigid, impartial
justice. In our May issue we said:
''No one will question the wis
dom and propriety of being merci-
tut where mercy is deserved, but
everybody knows that the pardon
ing of criminals in this State has
been carried on with a reckless dis
regard for the cause of Justice and
the welfare of society. Far be II
from our purpose to withhold the
hand of mercy and sympathy from
some unfortunate wretch who has
been adequately punished for his
crime or from some innocent per
son who has been wrongfully con
Victed, but we believe that only
where n1erited should pardcns be
granted.
'sThe Board OF Pardons, and the
executive who generally acts upon
the recommendation of the Board,
are not alone to blame in :his mat
ter. The governor grants the par
don at the request OF the Board
which is composed Of the iieuten-
attorney general and
presiding judge Of the court before
which the conviction was had The
Board is often induced to recon
mend c!emency by the pettio s
from the homes of the convicted
persons. These petitions are gen
orally signed by the most reputable
citizens of the community, for it is
we'll known that few. men have the |
courage and backbone to refuse to |
fix their signatures to a document
Of this kind particularly when pre-
'ented to them by relative of the
'hC LOT ClemenCy. Inc
same influences which are used to
obtain the signatures of tie citizens
ire employed to get the officers of
he court to sign the petition and
'ften members of the jury are pur-
uasled to join in the appeal for
pardon. In this case it can be
cen how hard it would be for the
soard TO refuse to recommend a
'ardon in the face of the petition
onveyinS the seemingly earnest
nd urgent entreaties Of those who
re in position TO know the cir
umstances of the crime and the
harac,er OF the prisoner.
''Any convicted person whose
Amily influence is worth few
otes and who HIS enough money
, employ counsel. stands d very
ood chance to get ou> Of the pen1-
nt:ary, no matter how guilty he
1aV be. The Gazette has several
asses in mind where pardons were
though absolutely unde-
erved. This, We believe, has
,ost demnralizing effect and is cal
n'ated to greatlv~ cripple the adj
Of Justice.
'lhere seems to lie too rluCh
v mpathy for criminals N this Coun-
y, particularly for that class who
ave money and influence and who :
an control votes. There isn't
luch trouble to convict the poor, :
tendless fellow, white or black,
nd when convicted ne has no one
, plead his case and generally
erves out his time in prison.
What is needed is sound, healthy
ublic opinion which will insist j
pom the infection of condign pun
hment on all offenders, regardless
{ their social, financial or political
landing"