The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-07-16

case and believed the murder to be one
OF the most unprovoked and cold-blooded
ever committed In the state, and he did
not hesitate to say that he could not UNI
derstand why any disinterested person
could favor a recommendation for par
don.
For some reason or other Wrights case
was espoused by q number of prominent
state politicians, among whom was Rep
resentative Ben Colyin, of Saginaw The
pardon board held a meeting In Detroit
and recommended that pardon be grant
ed Wright Burns was not present at this
meeting and he claims that the place of
meeting was changed so that he could
not be present. his attitude on the case
being known to the other members Of
the board. No record of this action was
ever made by the secretary of the board
but the fact that three members voted
for the recommendation was privately
admitted by at least one of them When
this action was announced In the press
the newspapers of the state, without a
single exception, vigorously denounced
IT, and so fierce was the opposition that
the friends Of Wright withdrew his ap-
plication. Burns was especially severe in
his denunciation of the boards action.
and 1t is stated that some or the pronni-
nent politicians and legislators referred
TO made important promises to be filled In
pardon board
RESIGNATION WITH GOVERNOR.
When the latter's term expired last De-
cember he sought a reappointment and
secured 1t only after subjecting himself
to severe humiliation. This time the con-
ditions were changed, for instead of be-
ing opposed by the Kent county sena-
tors he had the support of those gentle
men, who believed his course In connec-
ton with the Wright case was proper,
but encountered the opposition of Gov
Pfngree, who, on the former occasion
was his sponsor Gen. White still stood
by him and urged his reappointment
Wrights friends carried the war into the
governors office. and Pingree refused to
make the nomination. saying that he
wished to appoint Judge Smith, who had
resigned the job to accept a short-term
appointment as circuit judge, and who,
having failed to be nominated for the
long term, was anxious to go back on
the pardon board notwithstanding
Whites claim that Burns rejection
would be fatal to his candidacy for pros
ecuting attorney this year, the governor
refused to yield until White proposed
that Burns be appointed on condition
that he file his resignation to take eff
feet six months hence. This was dis
tasteful to Burns, but he finally con-
sented upon being assured by White that
these were the best terms that could be
made. This was in December last, and
Burns filed the following rather remark
able document. dated July 1, 19OO
TO His Excellency, Hazen s. Pingree
Governor Of Michigan-Dear Sir! Owing
to pressure of private business and es-
pecially to the fact that I am very busily
engaged In conducting a campaign for
the office Of prosecuting attorney of Kent
county, l feel that / cannot longer de-
vote the necessary time required of a
member OF the advisory board of par
dons. l therefore respectfully tender
my resignation, to take place Immediate
ly Thanking you for the many fayors
received at your hands, l am very sin
cerely yours, David T. Burns"
When this resignation was delivered,
Gov. PinSree sent the nomination to the
senate and 1t was promptly confirmed
Burns former opponents in that body
| frankly saying that his position in the
Wright case entitled him to prompt con-
firmation.
Since that time the Wright application
has never been before the pardon board
but friends Of the murdered man have
watched matters closely. fearing that an
other attempt to free the convict would
be mace. 1t was not until few days
ago that they learned that Burns was re-
CURED to file his resignation last Decem-
Der. 1t was during the recent Republican
state convention that the facts leaked
out and then II Is said that the matter
was laid before Attorney General Oren,
who is alleged to have advised that the
governor could not legally accept any such
resignation, it being impossible for man
to resign an office In advance Of his ap-
pointment thereto, and that resignation
secured in the manner this one was is
not legal In view of this Burns wrote
the governor on June %. stating that he
had decided to Withdraw his resignation
and asking that II be returned to him.
Gov. Pingree was out of the state at the
time, but upon his return he advised
Burns that his withdrawal came too late,
as the resignation had already been ac-
cepted and Judge Smith appointed to the
vacancy.
QUESTION FOR COURTS.
When the pardon board met at the Ionla
prison this week, Judge Smith, who is