Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-02
EXTENSION OF MERCY
MR.. ROOSEVELT GRANTED FEW
PARDoNS.
Clemency Extended in Fifteen District
Gases, the Most Important OF Which
Was That of Gilbert Towles.

Mr. James s. Easily Smith pardon attor-
ney In the Department Of Justice, has rem
dered to the Attorney General his report of
pardon work transacted during the year
ended June 30 last.
The report shows that 7Ss cases were ham
died. Most of them were adversely reported
by district attorneys and judges and not
considered by the President The President
acted upon 315 cases, of which he denied
1S1 and exercised executive clemency In
some form in 1874. He granted sixty par
dons. three conditional pardons. twenty nine
pardons to restore civil rights. COMMITTED
thirty-six sentences, remitted one fine and
five forfeitures Of recognizances.
Mr.. Easily Smith was asked how Presi-
dent Roosevelt's action In pardon cases dur
Ing the first year of his administration COM
pares with the action of President McKin-
ley and of former Presidents.
President Roosevelt has granted fewer
pardons and denied more, proportionately.
than any President for many years. A ref
erence to my report Of last year shows
that during the year ending June 30. 1901
President Mckinley acted upon 343 cases. OF
which he denied III and exercised clemency
in some form in 226. He granted 1O7 par
dons, two conditional pardons, ffty-three
pardons to restore civil rights, committed
fifty sentences, RENTED ten fines and two
reprieves. He acted favorably upon % per
cent of all the cases disposed of during the
year. or 66 per cent of the cases submitted
to him; while President Roosevelt during
the last year has acted favorably upon only
10 per cent of all the cases disposed of and
II per cent of the cases submitted to him.
For many years the general proportion
OF cases faVorab bly, acted on by the several
Presidents has been about . per cent of all
cases filed. So you see from the figures l
have quoted that President Roosevelt has
acted favorably on very much smaller
proportion of cases"
How many of the pardonS granted were
for offenses committed in the District Of
Columbia ?"
The Towles Case.
There were fifteen total cases of Glenn
ency affecting persons in the District Of
Columbia, but five of them were simply re-
missions of forfeited recognizances, several
were reform school cases. and there was
only one case of real Importance or general
interest, that being the case of Gilbert B.
Towles, who was convicted of the technical
offenSe of forgery, and was pardoned by the
President on June IS.
This pardon was recommended by the
Attorney General and granted by the Pres
quest of the older residents and most prom
inent citizens of the District, who urged
that while Mr.. Towles might be technically
guilty, they felt confident from long &C
facts and circumstances in the case that
there was element Of moral turpitude in
the case.
THE Attorney Generals report in this
case was as follows: The rightfulness of
this conviction cannot be questioned.
am moved, however, to advise you to heed
the prayer of the great number of suppl
ants for pardon who by reason of familiar
ity with the transactions out Of which the
offense arose and their thorough knowledge
of the offender, take the responsibility, evil
IDENTIFY conscientiously and not lightly as
sumed, of earnestly urging it. Reference
to the pardon attorneys report will dis
close the identity, number and standing of
these persons. The offenders extreme age,
illness and evident contriton are also con-
siderations that contribute to the concu
sion 1 have expressed above that this Is
one of the few cases for clemency upon the
grounds of mercy and out of respect for a
very earnest, intelligent and decided pub
lis wish - =.
Were there any important cases denied
affecting the District of Columbian
THE President denied the application for
pardon or Communication Of sentence of
Elijah Chapman. the murderer, and of
James C. Lanckton, convicted of man.
slaughter, and also of one burglar. the
other cases denied being petty and of no
public interest.