Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1903-09-23
CONVICTS PARD0NED
The PeOnage Cases Settled Ey
Release From Prison.
ALABAMA PRISONERS SET FREE.
Reasons for Executive Clmsucy
Givsn-The President Acts i'm the
Interest of Mercy.

Washington, Special.-The Prest-
dent has granted full and uncondi-
tiunal pardon to Geo. Davis and
Barancas f. Cosby. convicted ut Mont
gomery. Ala, of violation of the pcon-
age law. These men were indicted
for holding Pike Swanson in condi-
tion OF peonagc. pleaded guilty ON
June 30. 1908. and on the same day
were sentenced to Imprisonment for
year and day in the United States
penitentiary at Atlanta Ga. They
have been imprisoned ever since. and
were released on telegraphic instruc-
tions from the Department OF Justice
During the month of June more than
eighty indictments against a number
OF individuals. for violation of the
pconage law, were returned by the
grand jury at Montgomery, and sew
eral convictions were secured. the
sentences imposed ranging from the
minimum. one year. to the maximum
five years. The President granted the
pardons in the above cases upun the
earnest recommendation of Judge
Jones. who sentenced the prisoners.
80 hiS iNNSNi W Nht lCSlbCll,
Jones says:
THE favorable recommendation
now made proceeds on no idea that
the sentences were unjuS,. hut solely
from the conviction that the punish
ment already undergone by the prison
ers has accomplished all the real ends
of the law in these cases.
The prisoners have undergone the
humiliation of imprisonment in the
penitentiary, the sting OF condemna-
tion by their neighbors and associates
and the wide publicity of their offense
They have been separated from their
families. and have worn stripes. There.
Is no ground for believing that they
will ever again. under any clrcum-
stances. whatever, engage IN like
practices. They attempted no de-
tense. but pleaded guilty at the earl
lest opportunity. They were contrite
and admitted that they Justly de-.
served punishment. The reform OF
Offenders themselves. so far as the
law ccntemplates that has been com
pletely effected by the punishment
The question OF pardon may, there
fore. be properly considered now sole
ly as regards its effect upon the ad-
ministration CT justice and the public
welfare. The law has been thorough
ly vfndicated, and the evil against
which 1t was directed, in these com
munities, has been completely
crushed. Connivance with the abuses
OF corrupt magistrates in that locality
in the exercise Of power to hire out of
felders for payment Of fine AID c~stS
on conviction for small and ofC,ns
sham ohenses. in order to reap profit
for the hirer, has been thoroughly cy.
posed and broken up. 1t has met the
hearty ranrQhntiOn of a
Of the people in all walks OF life. The
example has been all sufficient TO
deter others from Ike 0ffenses in the
future.
"Nhe press, the pulpit, the bar AMI
the people at large. as well as those
In Tallapoosa County, have been out
spoken in their qualification that the
evil has been broken up and hay.
heartily commended the course of The
authorities in dealing with it, This
spirit. as you VIII see by tkc accom-
panylng petitions. actuate3 the peg
pie OF that county. VINO. in numerous
meetings have asked the pardon of the.
prisoRer. Among the signcgs of Pc
tition4 for pardon are man. negroes.
They Feel safe from any repetition Of
like onense. and join with Their white
neighbors in these petitions for
clemency, believing in this instance
that II viii rebound to the public
good. and smooth the relations he
tween the races. The gr at body Of the
people lof TallnpGusa county have. in
effect, became sponsors fer the rood
behavior OF the prisoners. and the
loyal Observance of the law In this
respect by all others In the future A
public opinion. stronger even than the
power Of tho law, has been aroused
to stand up In the future for iustiCe
and fair play to the weak Granting
the PRAYER Of these petitioners would
recognize and strengthen these moral
Influences which. at last. are the only
enduring foundations Of a reign or
law. cannot doubt that good would
come from granting the prayer CT he
petitioners.
After much reflection and
consideration of the matter. | unhcsi-
tatingiy recommend m immediate ana
unccndit' NAL pardon"