El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-01-24
PAso TEXAS, WEDNESDAY. JANUARY a.
TO ASK A PARDON
For George Morton, the Youthful
Convict.


Convict.
The following petition Is being cir
culated, and generally signed by busi-
ness men. The movement Is a laost
worthy one, as stated In last night 's
HERALD.
The petition is being circulated by
Attorney Sweeney and Mr.. Morrison.
the boys father and guardian. The
pu blicity given in the HERALD to the
case has met with prompt response.
A copy of the petition is at the HER
AID Office, and all who wish to sign are
invited to call as coon as possible.
The list of signatures is already long,
and contains some of the best-known
names among Ell Psso's citizens.
THE PETITION.
Ell PASO, Tex, Jan. l6, 1900.
To His Excellency, Joseph D. Sayers,
Governor of the State of Texas:
We, the undersigned court officials
and jurors who presided at the trial OF
George Morton, who was indicted upon
a charge of burglary alleged to have
been committed on the Sd day of jan
uary, 1900, in the city and county of Ell
Paso, Texas, and undersigned citizens,
respectfully represent and show your
Excellency:
That the said defendant, George
Morton. is youth aged 16 years and 3
months; that on the 18th day OF Janu-
ary, 1900, said Morton was tried aud
convicted in the district court of the
Thirty fourth Judicial district of Texas
upoL the charge of burglary. The evil
deuce submitted to the jury upon the
trial of said cause Was substan TALLY as
follows. tO-wit:
That upon the morning OF January 3.
1900, said Morton effected an entrance
by inse rting his arm through an aper-
ture in q canvas sheeting which an
swered the purpose of front entrance
to q fruit stand and extracted there
ing gum, all not exceeding the total
value of 25 cents: and said defendant
having been found guilty of the offense
alleged in the Indictment, and his pun
ishment fixed at two ~ years in the
state penitentiary.
Therefore we, the undersigned, here
by petition your Excellency to grant
said George Morton pardon, being
confident of the fact that this is his
first offense against the laws OF the
state, and being informed that said
defendants mother is dead, and he
being young and having no one to
advise him, in moment of reckless
ness committed this indiscretion, for
which he is now about to be incar-
cerated in the penitentiary.
Taking into consideration the ex-
treme youth of the prisoner, the
articles he is alleged to have appropri-
ated and the severe penalty inflicted
therefor, we petition your Excellency
n TQacvnokf,,t1r
COURT OFFICIALS.
M. Walthall, trial Judge.
j. M. Dean, district attorney.
j. 81. Boone, sheriff.
PROSECUTING WITNESS.
Mrs. S. L. Whitney.
JURORS.
W.T.. Wempel.
J. M. Echors.
T. F. Miller.
F. Escajeda.
G. Spivey.
Fl. A. Donnelly.
John Matsitt.
E. Lavelle.
A. Schloss.
Sam BIumen:hal.
r. Blumenthal.
Nj Is Davis.
CITIZENS.
James Hunter.
Isaac Alderete, clerk district court.
w. G. Walz Co., by w. E. Sharp,
secretary.
w. E. Sharp.
John Brunner, merchant.
U. 8. Stewart, cashier First National
bank.
r. G. Lightbody, merchant.
T. e. Shelton.
81. Kayser.
Krakauer, Zork & Moye, hard ware.
AdOlph Krakauer.
E. Moyes
J. r. McGibbon, merchant.
G. L. Hoyt.
Hoyt & Bass, merchants.
J. Calisher, merchant.
HERALD NEWS Co.
b. D. Slater, editor and general man