The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-25
GOVERNOR PARDONS
SEVERAL CONV|CTS
Exercises Christmas Clemency
and Brings Happiness
HIS FIRST PARDONlNG ACT
Would Not Pardon Negro Who Had
Assaulted a Woman, and Declares
That He Would Never
Pardon One Guilty.
HIS FIRST PARDoNlNe ACT

Montgomery, December 24-(Special.)-
''Caddie Thomas, Wesley Jenkins, Bragg
Body, eager Greene ana Mary Jane Ken
dali were paroled by the acting gov
ernor for continued and faithful service
and In recognition of their good conduct
as prisoners and as an act Of mercy
Seab Irwin. Lilly Hicks and jeff Rountree
were parolled on the merits of their
cases."
This is the story of the Christmas ex-
ercise of the clemency given him in the
constitution by Acting Governor Cunning
ham.
Story of Liberwty.
When the paper containing this story
goes out to the public on the early morn
ing of It's publication it will carry notice
of liberty to seven long term eonviets
now confined in punishment by the state,
two of whom are women, and mark the
first instance of executive cemency ex-
ercised by Acting Governor Russell NJ
Cunningham from a standpoint of mercy,
pure and simple. The paroles-for paroles
they are in all but one ease-are given
as Christmas presents to the recipients,
and the acting governor had tear In his
eye and a tremble In his voice as he
spoke of the poor broken lives of those
to whom he was able to bring the great
est boon of their existence. the right to
again walk forth free and untrammeled
"on This Blessed Day"
'As you boys know l have pardoned
and paroled a very few convicts since
have been administering the office of gov
ernor. An examination of the reasons
given will show that the criteria set by
me for executive clemency have been and
will continue to be rather rigid. This pol
ICY In my judgment, is necessary for the
maintenance of law and order In this
state. 1 have not yielded to public senti-
ment or personal appeals. But 1t seems
to be that on this blessed day. the eve
of the most momentous day in history,
that I would not depart from my rules
generally If l exercised executive Glenn
ency for few old, faithful, friendless
convicts upon the ground Of mercy. I
have pardoned none Of them, but have
simply paroled them. Most of them
know personally and know them to be
good and faithful convicts Their paroles
will be a surprise to them, and I believe
they will be good citizens hereafter"
Consultation Held.
Before this statement, or anything else.
had been given out for publication the
presence in the governors office of the
pardoning board, consisting of Secretary
of State e. r. McDavid, Auditor T. L..
Sowall, and Attorney General Massey
Wilson. was requested. With these the
acting executive went over the papers
Every man felt that he was doing the
right thing. Thus IT came about that
four men agreed to this act of mercy and
recognition of the Christmas text, ION
earth peace, good will to men,"
After 1t was over the acting governor
came out into the main office with a
smile on his face and a glad look in his
eyes. feel better" he said. 1T am
glad did It," and he looked the part"
One That Failed.
One of the men recommended by the
late Warden Rogers was not pardoned
Notwithstanding his good record. He will
never be by the present occupnt of the
governors chair. His crime was assault
on a woman. Records easily accessible
did not show whether she was white or
black. II will never pardon or parole any
man, black or white. guilty of this
crime" said the acting executive. 81 do
not believe there should be any leniency
in offenses of this kind. / am sorry
cannot comply with the request or sug-
gestion of Mr.. Rogers, but 1 cannot do
so under any conditions"