New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-17
PARDONED BY PRESIDENT.
T5oo Men Connected of Violating the
PeOnage Ld1C Released.

Washington. Sept. ls-The President has granted
fun and unconditional pardons to George d. and
Barancas F. Cosby. convicted at Montgomery
Ala of violation of the peOnage law. These men
indicted for holding Pike Swanson IN a con-
dition OF peOnage. They entered a plea Of guilty
on June 90 1903. and on the same day SEN
fenced to Imprisonment for a year and day IN
the United States penitentiary at Atlanta Tney
have been imprisoned ever since. and to-day were
released telegraphic instructions from the De-
partment OF Justice.
In June more than eighty. indictments for viola
ton of the peonage law returned by the grand
jury at Montgomery. and several convictions were
secured. the sentences imposed ranging from the
minimum. year. to the maximum. five years
The President granted the pardons in the above
cases on the recommendation Of Judge Jones. VINO
sentenced the prisoners.
In his letter to the President Judge Jones says:
ceeds on no idea mat the sentences were Tn{Y1St
but solely from the conviction that the punishment
Phsd all hG ends Re in
The prisoners have undergone the Illumination OF
condemnation By their neighbors and associates
no ground for beieyins that they vii ever again
under any circumstances whatever. engage in like
practices. They attempted no defence. but pleaded
guilty the earliest opportunity. They were con-
trite and admitted that they justly deserved pun
ishment The reform Of the offenders themselves
far the law cOntemplateS that mas been COM
The question Of pardon may. therefore, be prop
ery considered now solely as rssaTadS ,b s 11SIc
welfare. The law has been Thoroughly vindic3ted
and the evil against which II directed In these
communities has been completely crushed Con- n
nivance with the abuses of corrupt magistrates In
that locality in the exercise OF the power 20 IRE
out offenders for payment Of fine and costs on con-
vction for small and often sham offences, IN orqsr
70 reap profit for the hirer, has been thorougnIy
exposed and broken UP. 1t has met the hearty rep
rotation OF the great mass Of the people N al
walks of life The example has been al! sumclehJ
TO deter others from like offences in the future
Among the signers OF petitions for pardon are
many negroes. They feel safe from any repeL!tlSSh
Of like offences. and join with their WnIte neIsh
bors in these petitions for clemeney oeHe'ns , ~,
this instance that II will rebound 20 the puonC
good and smooth the relations between the races.
The great body OF the people Of Tallapoosa county
have in effect become sponsors Tor the gOod Ue-
havior the prisoners and the loyal ooserV ne
OF the law in this respect by all Others N me
future A public opinion. stronger even than the
noJyer Of the law has been aroused TO stand up IN
the future for justice and fair play 70 the MsaK
Granting the prayer OF these pettoneerss 49,. a
recognize and strengthen these moral Inn
which at last are the only enduring toundauo11ss
Of reign OF law. I cannot doubt that 600 wouid
come from granting the prayer OF the petltloheI
49, froT, these Considerations there are others
which are deserving OF weight
He then specially dvells on the destltu'e ana
dependent condition Of the two Cosoys wives ana
children