The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-24
Applied for Executive Clemency Only
when the Supreme Court De-
cidcd Against Him.
MR.. LOOMS AT WASHINGTON
MINISTER TO VENEZUELA HAS TALK
WITH SECRETARY HAY.
He Makes 1t Clear State Department
Instructions Were Followed-Pro-
motions for Army Omcers.

WASHINGTON. April 2S.-The President
to-day pardoned Joseph f. wolfson. who
was convicted In 1896 I'm the United States
District Court OF louisiana OF being in
collusion with the bookkeeper OF the Union
National Bank Of New Orleans in the en-
bezzlement OF s64o.oo0 of the funds of the
bank, and who was sentenced 10 eight
years imprisonment. The case Is In many
respects remarkable one and has attract
ed considerable attention. Wolfson was
prominent lawyer In New Orleans before
the failure of the bank In 1896 and had been
deposit0r in the institution for many
years prior to that time or the missing
funds he was charged with having OBJ
tanned $4,000. The long legal battle which
to-day ended i'm Wolfson's pardon then be-
gan. Wolfson had the aid Of powerful AMI
influential friends. The case was appealed
to the Circuit Court OF Appeals, which af-
firmed the decision of the lower court, ana
was then carried 10 the Supreme Court on
a writ of certiorari. Meantime Wolfson
continued the practice OF his profession in
New Orleans until the breaking out OF the
Spanish-American war. Being then under
sentence, with his case still pending in the
Supreme Court. he enlisted in the volun-
teer army. with the consent of the attor-
ney general and the secretary OF war. ani
served until February, 1899, when he was
mustered out. He then enlisted In the regu-
lars and went TO the Philippines. where he
served until October, 1900. when he was tn
valided home. In January of the preSent-
year the Supreme Court refused the writ
of certiorari and Wolfson applied for ex-
ecutive clemency. He still has about one
year to serve in the regular army before
his term of service expires. He expects 10
return to the Philippines Immediately and
rejon his regiment.
In recommending the pardon to the Presi-
cent Attorney General Knox said: He
approaches you as a suppliant for pardon.
asking that his brave deeds and shattered
health be accepted as atonement for the
crime of which he stands legally convicted.
The history of the world is full of circum-
stances where transgessions of the law i'm
cases of the gravest character and conse-
quences have been condoned by signal pub
lie service in time of war or great emergen-
cy. Many cases may be found in the rec
ords of our civil war where a good record
as soldier brought immunity from pun
ishment for previous transgression- Had
Wolfson's name been untarnished. his mill
tary services and devotion to duty at tho
have commended him to you for recogni-
ton. This is not my own deduction. IL
is so stated by Major knights report. IL
he has earned honor and advancemenr
which ii is not seemly TO bestow, would IL
not be a peculiarly gracious act TO remove
from him, far you can, the -conse-
ouences of his offense? Ii seems so 10 me.
and therefore L recommend that the ap-
plication for pardon be granted"
The President also has pardoned Henry
Gardes and Walter w. Girault. convicted
in New Orleans. In 1881, and sentenced TO
eight years IN the Ohio penitentiary. for
embezzling funds OF the American National
Bank OF New Orleans. of which Gardes was
president and Girault cashier. The petit
TONERS have served all but two years Of
their sentence. and upon the recommended
tion OF the trial judge and district attor-
ney who state that there IL universal
timent in the community that the prisoners
have been sufficiently punished. the pardons
were granted.