The Topeka state journal., 1902-07-16
EXTEND PAROLE.
Governor Stanley Would Re-
commend 1t to Judges.
He Has Ordered the Release Of
100 COnvicts.

the parole system of treating prisoners
sent to the penitentiary that he would
recommend it's extension 80 that dis
trict judges could exercise the power
in certain cases. He would give judges
the power to parole, before they reach
the penitentiary, youthful offenders and
those who commit minor offenses for
the first time.
Today was pardon day. with the
governor, and while he turned down ali
himself as more than pleased with the
system.
1.-The parole idea, if properly handled,
will accomplish more as a means of
societies I know Of" declared the gov
ernor.
II am surprised that every state in
the union has not adopted it, but there
have been governor I have turned 100
men out of the penitentiary and only
four have violated the terms of their
parole. think that is a pretty good
pretty strict. A paroled prisoner must
not use liquor or loaf around question
able places, and he must make monthly
reports of what he is doing and how
conditions. out of 100 men who have
been in the penitentiary and have been
men of bad habits, 90 have kept the
conditions of their paroles.
out employment. When a man is turn
ed out of the penitentiary without EN-
ployment he is quite likely to fall into
bad company and will easily be led to
commit another crime. But one Of the
conditions of parole is that his friends
will see that he has good employment
as soon as he gets out and this is a
great help to him to keep straight.
IF I had the power continued the
governor. II would give to district
judges the power to parole youthful
offenders and those who have Just COM
nitted their first offense before they
are sent to the penitentiary. I would
have the judge sentence the prisoners
the same as now. but let him suspend
the sentence pending good behavior Oh
the same conditions now in the parole
with the pfoviso that il the parole
should be violated the offender should
be sent to prison Immediately, and pro-
vided that 1t should not be operative
upon second offense
"a system Of that kind would save
large per cent of our criminals Under
our present system a young fellow gets
into bad company and is led into
crime. He isn't naturally bad and he
Is sorry for his mistake. The parole
gives him another chance. It brings
him to his senses. 1t brings the prison
right before him without putting him
into 1t to mingle with hardened crimi-
nails. If he is thrown into their COM
pany the chances are largely in favor
of his, becoming a hardened criminal
himself. l believe this sort Of a sys-
tenn would be good plan and If I had
the power would try it."
Governor Stanley allowed two small
communications today. John T. Howard
ls serving q sentence of three years in
the penltentiary for grand larceny from
Wyandotte county. Governor Stanley
gave him two months Off
Henry Parks is serving term of six
years from Cherokee county for burg
larry and he gets one month Off. Both
of these communications are for good be-
havior.
Stuart st. John, the Shawnee county
youth gtiae who attempted to shoot Deputy
cape from the County jail. viii continue to
reside IN rn,tbsrp the penitentiary His first crime
which he was sent to the county jail He
was made tr,lsty there. and short time
secured revolver and that an excuse
fer 1eaving Deputy Stewart pursued and
tempt to kill That I was nii.s's only two W Years
Years but he already wants to 81 get tout out His
father wrote letter to Gov. Stanley tell
moa Haa f I boy zhond dhs Be fan
rolled but TT the boys boys mother @ says vs. her hus,
kinds Of names. from which the rr governor or
Judged that there would De no Joyful fam
ny Wand renn9n t afrer av az The e notne5 10th said she
John Hoeppfer of Wabaunsee county j.
in the penitentiary fof 20 years for murder
In the second degree He was sent there
May, 1895. and he has been asking that his
sentence be conrnuted to five years Gov
Stanley refused it. Both the judge and
county attorney who convicted him refused
to recommend the communication.
George Stevens was sent to the peniten-
tfary from Montgomery county in 1896,
under the death sentence for murder I'm
| the first degree. He was convicted on his
own testimony of completely in a murder,
but his friends since claim that he SO tes-
| titled to shield his sister and thew ask that
Governor Stanley pardon him. The gov
ernor refused.
lowing:
| Edward johnson, No. 8, sentenced from
Marion county in 1900, for five years for
| burglary.
John r. Lasse1l, sentenced from Doug
| las county in 1892. for fifteen years for
robbery
John Smith. No. 2, sentenced from Al