Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1901-08-08

Chief Justice Charles NJ. Start and
Attorney General Ii. w. Childs.
"We, the undersigned members
Of the Thirty ninth General Assem-
bly, Of Missouri, most respectfully
ask ct your hand the pardon of
Cole and James Younger, now con-
fined in the Saltwater Prison, for
the following reasons
Because they haYe been in pris-
on for more than twenty years.
"Because during this entire pc.
riod their behavior has been so ex-
callent as 10 win not alone the re-
spect but perfect confidence ot the
prison authorities.
Every intention Of the Law has
been fulfilled in this that the pun
isbment for the violation Of it has
been ample and complete.
''If restored again to freedom.
! almost the entire population of
this State would stand security as
q mass to their becoming law-abid-
ing, peaceful, upright aud worthy
citizens.
"Because their downfall and de-
parture from the path of rectitude
was unquestionably the direct re-
suit of the unfavorable conditions
surrounding them during and fol-
lowing the late Civil War.
"Whatever may haye been said
to the contrary, both of the men
were brave and honorable soldiers
in battle, and merciful in victory.
because these men have served
more than twice the length Of time
allotted the life prisoners commit.
ed to prison on life sentences-less
than ten years being the average
time.
"Because We are informed that
every warden, under whom they
have served has learned from close
contact with them to trust them
and to place them in positions OF
responsibility, and have advised
that, il liberated, they would be-
come good, honorable and useful
citizens.
because they are now old men,
and we believe the spirit of Chris.
tian charity and mercy suggests
that they should be permitted 10
spend the few remaining days
among their friends and relatives,
many of whom are numbered
among the best families of Mis-.
souri,, all of whom will stand surety
for their future good behavior aud
q number Of whom are ready and
willing to furnish them constant
employment, by reason Of which
they may and will be self-support-
ing and independent.
"Because it is a recognized 2rin-
ciple Of penology that the object Of
all punishment is to reform the
punished, and when this reforma-
ton has been accomplished, TO
longer continue the punishment is
not only of no benefit, but is turn
ing the arm of the law into an in
strument of torture to satiate re-
venge.
"Your petitioners are Of all poll
tical faiths, and are Of either
military service. We simply come
to you as one united whole, asking
this pardon in tho name Of mercy
and humanity, ever praying your
health, happiness and long-con-
tinued prosperity"
This petition was penned by
Major John N. Edwards and placed
in the hands Of Captain Wall g.
Bronaugh of Clinton, No, =, who
obtained to it the signature of all
the members of the House of Re-
presentatives aud Assembly and
most Of the State officials.
Cast Your Bread
Upon The Waters.
"Cast your bread upon the
waters, and it will return after
many days."
When Cole Younger fired the re-
volver into the air and Stephen b.
Elkins became q free man in the
shadow Of imminent death he CRATE
fully treasured the memory, until
years after he was able to write
this letter ia behalf of Cole and
Jim Younger
81 knew these boys when they
we're children Of Missouri before
the war. They come Of a good
family. | knew their father and