The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-09-02
NO BOARD OF PARDONS NEEDED
OR WANTED.

The qradrennial demand for the
establishment of a Board of Pardons
is now being heard Some of our es-
teemed contemporaries, seeing the
many applications for pardon that are
being made to the Governor, propose
that the chief executive be relieved of
the exercise of the highest function
of a sovereign and the high duty be
conferred upon a board to be named
by the Governor or elected by the
General Assembly. The creation OF
such a board would materially lessen
the duties of the Chief Executive and
relieve him of the most painful re-
sponsibility imposed by the office.
Every, Governor if he consulted only
his private wishes, would be glad to
have the application for pardons pass
ed upon by board, but no Gov
would shirk the responsibility that
comes with the position.
Many good men believe that
Board of Pardons would make fewer
mistakes, because, they argue. the
views of three men would be more apt
to be right than the view of any one
man, no matter how honest or how
able. Is this contention right? In
those States where boards of pardon
have been created the result does
not bear ont the contention. There
Is more dissatisfaction with the ac-
ton of the board than there was
over the action of the Governor. 1t
is very difficult to secure men big
enough to serve as such a board,
who are not too engrossed in their
own professional or business engage
ments to permit them to give enough
time to the difficult and delicate task
Men of Indifferent ability would deny
the board that measure of public
confidence necessary for the exercise
of so important a function of govern
ment.
1t is very seldom that the people
elect any small man as Chief Execu-
tive. They choose for that place a
man who has won the confidence and
to exercise weighty responsibilities.
He IS conscientious in the discharge
of his duties He enters upon the
consideration of the application OF
pardon with sense of the RESPONSE
bility that the greatest office In the
gift of the people imposes. He mas
theA time necessary for thorough IN
vestigation. When he needs council.
he calls upon the Council of State to
advise him. He is in close consulta-
ton with the man the people have
chosen as Attorney General. If he
deems it necessary he can employ any
discreet person to make careful in
vestigation upon any matter upon
which he is in doubt And when he
finally acts. the greatness of the office
inspires a sense of acceptance of his
conclusion that the result of The act
of no board of pardons would inspire.
The granting of a pardon is the SUI
preme act of the sovereign-the duty
that comes nearest the divine exer-
else of mercy. 1t ought to be exer-
cisco Dy no HlIll leSS lHdi tIiS SAiSi
Magistrate of a Commonwealth.
Coming from him. there is dignity
about it that is impressive and a
solemnity that is felt by the recipient
of the States mercy.
One of the evils of present day gov
eminent is the tendency to multiply
Offices and divide responsibility. The
need is to confer large powers upon a
high official and hold him to rigid
accountability. The multiplication
of boards and commissions tends to
weaken government and to mistakes.
The powers of a Governor should be
great; then the people will know who
TO hold responsible. OF course Gov
errors will make mistakes. Not a
few people criticized Vance and Ay
cocks exercise of the pardonins. pow
er, saying they granted too many
pardons. Others have criticized other
Governors, saying they did not ex-
ercise mercy when they should have
done so. There will always be some
criticisms as long as good men see
things differently. But. whereas the
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