Sunday Washington globe., 1902-06-15

Death The Case of Poor Marion
Britton, Fifteen Years Prisoner
and Governor Nash's Mercy
The GLOBE has received with pleasure a
letter from General Leo Rassieur Past Ma
tioual Commander.in.C Chief c. A. r. from
which we quote the following extract;
Accept my appreciation and congrat-
ulations upon your efforts to oust Mr.. Evans
from the Office which he has heretofore
held.
Yours very truly,
LEO RAssIEUR."
The editor of the GLOBE appreciates very
keenly this high commendation from Cen
eral Rassieur and respectfully refers the
same for his personal edifcation to one
"St. John" or JONES who recently issued
leafet claiming the sole credit for securing
the scalp Of H. Clay Evans
But after all, the GLOBE was only an in
strument the real credit is due the able
and unknown writer who for FIVE months
supplied this paper every week chapters
from Evans damning record. To this un-
known the veterans are indebted for the
removal Of the soldier hater, ex-commissary
clerk, Yankee carpet bagger, Southern
school book fraud and present Consul Cen
eral to London.
Far more gratifying is the following re-
ceived in the same mail that brought us
General Rassisur's letter:
Dalce E! DecOrHD1 est Pro Patyta Aoyi.
AT meeting of the Veterans of the Civil
and Cuban Wars held in the pavilion of the
Ohio Penitentiary, May 80, 1909, to celebrate
the day set apart for the decoration of
soldiers graves, it was resolved to-wit:
First. Resol0sd, That the thanks of the
veterans be extended to Comrade w. J.
Elliott for his unAagging interest in behalf
of the Civil War Veterans his many acts of
kindness toward them, both public and
private.
Second. Resolved, That the thanks of all
associations of veterans are due him for his
untiring efforts to have Memorial Day"
set apart and made a national holiday,
dedicated to the decoration of the graves of
our dead comrades.
Third. RESOLVED, That these resolutions
shall be engrossed and a copy Of the same
be transmitted to Comrade w. J. Elliott, to
his address in Washington, D. c.
MARION BRITToN,
FRANK M, SMITH,
S. ]. SHANKLIN,
Nay 80, 1902 Committee.
Let US drop here tear, for the thousands
so brave,
Who died for their country, the Union to
save.
No mark for their southern graves, only
wild flowers to bloom,
Their names are in history What need they
of tomb?
1t is impossible for any one but the indivi-
dual having had the fearful experience
which fell to our lot torealize fully and ap-
preciate at its true worth this handsome
tribute of remembrance by the veterans of
the Civil and Spanish wars confined within
the gloomy portals of a convict prison.
That these men are not criminals the
document quoted is more conclusive evil
! dence than the testimony which consigned
them to living death. One of the men,
/ bers Of the committee, Marion Britton, we
have referred to in these columns as one of
the most perfect Christian, gentleman we
have ever associated with, within or with
out the walls of a prison. And we have
been on terms of easy familiarity with
| judges land the very judge who sentenced
HIM Senators, Congressman, priests, and
preachersl
His is indeed a sad, pathetic case. He
has been a prisoner for more than double
the average period Of life termers. And
almost year ago the state board of par
dons, after several reflections, finally recon-
mended him for pardon to Governor Nash.
It is the practice in Ohio, since the pardon
board was created, for the governor to sign
the pardons of prisoners recommended for
clemency by the board.
The board is the governors own creation
He appoints its members. The immediate
| predecessor OF Governor Nash Immediately
released by pardon the prisoners recon-
mended by his Board of Pardons. Why
/ Governor Nash does not do so and follow
! the precedent Of Governor Bushnell has
never been,expained by himself, his friends
or his apologists. Recently be was the sub
ject of some scorching criticisms by the
leading republican organ of the state, the
Cincinnati Commercial Gazette, for his
suspension Of the just sentence inflicted on
the Taylor kidnappers The Board of Par
dons rejected the application for pardon
filed by these two kidnappers, notwith-
standing which Governor Nash has stood
between them and the penitentiary.
If the Board of Pardons possessed the
proper spirit they would resign in a body,
as Kennedy of Berea did under Governor
Mckinley for neglecting to sign the pardon
Of prisoner recommended for clemency by
the then board until after the prisoners
death in the penitentiary hospital 1t was
then too late. The poor fellow had ap-
peared before that pardoning board which
the governor himself SO suddenly stood in
the presence Of TO answer for his official
and private life. Who knows but that this
/ neglect to extend mercy recommended may
have been the cause Of his own unexpected
/ appearance before the High Pardoning
Powerl The ways of Providence are in
scruta0le. HE notes the sparrow's fall and
the prisoners soul is as precious in his sight
as the governors who neglects, postpOnes
or refuses to perform his sworn duty-when
that duty leads to clemency and grace.
/ We have intimately known Governor
u