Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-05-20
STATEtHouSE.
May Meeting Of the Gov
Il ernor and Council. 4
Ralph J. Russell Pardoned-.
Griffin Case Postponed.
Next Meeting Of Governor and Council,
Thursday, June 70, h4P.M.

The May meeting of the Governor
ana council opened at 1890. Friday
morning in the Council chamber. The
Hrst matter to be considered was the
petition of leading citizens Of Skowhe-
gan. for the pardon of Ralph ]. Rus
SELL convicted of breaking and enter
ing and sentenced. Oct. 4. 1904, to one
years imprisonment in Auburn Jail.
Hon. s. j. Walton of Skowhegan. an
peared for the petitioners, and placed
the facts of the case before the Cover
nor and Council. Mr.. Walton repre-
scented that at the time of the trial
tDree other boys were implicated in
the offense for which Russell was con-
Vlcted, but he alone pleaded guilty.
and refused to give testimony against
the others, who were released, and
sentence suspended during good be-
havior
the only articles stolen were one re-
volver and one pocket knife, sufficient
evidence. the attorney claimed. that
the act was only a mischievous prank
and not malicious crime. Further ev-
idence had been brought to light since
the conviction. that one of the boys
plainant, and that he had invited the
other boys into the store. and then
! broken pane of glass. to lead to the
idea that the store had been broken
| into.
Since his imprisonment. Russell has
become afflicted with cerebro-spinal
| meningitis. from which he is now lin
gering between life and death. and lit
! tie hopes are entertained of his re-
cOvery. In support of his argument.
Mr.. Walton introduced letters from
DR.. H. S. Sleeper. Judge Danforth
Hon. Forrest Goodwin. Sheriff ]. l..
Cummings and others. all bearing upon
| the general good character of the boy
| and his present physical condition.
F.lwood Weston of Skowhegan. was
| called as a witness, and testified that
| he had taken a fathers interest in the
| boy since the death Of the elder Rus
sell and that he is at present paying
| his expenses in the Central Maine hos
pital. He further testified that the boy
was industrious, and if he should re-
| cover, would be greatly benefited by
| the pardon being granted.
| DR.. II. s. Sleeper was also called
| and testified that he has been treating
| Russell. and that he considers his case
| most serious; that the boy is uncOn-
scious much of the time. and that his
| life hangs by a thread. DR.. Sleeper con-
sidered that the pardon would be a
| great relief to the boys mother. but
he doubted whether the boy would re-
| cover. No further evidence being Of
| fered the Council went into executive
/ o,,I 6N1ihar1
three minutes announced a unanimous
| verdict in favor of granting the par
| don.
| In the case Of the petition for the
pardon of Herbert E. Griffin. now
serving Il six months sentence for
criminal negligence i'm shooting David
s. Libby. mistaking him for deer
/ Fl. Fl. Patten. county attorney Of re-
/ nobscot county. moved against the pc
tition. as the act was shown to have
been of most negligent nature ana
that the young man had shown himself
| lacking in humanity toward his victim.
Forest j. Martin. ESQ.,, appeared Tor
| the petitioners. claiming that the boy
| displayed more care than many older
hunters and that moreover. he was not
fully competent. and therefore should
not be Judged rs a man. Action on the
case was postponed until the next
meeting of the Governor and COuncil.
The remainder of the session was
| devoted to routine business. warrants
| being drawn for expenses. and nomi-
| nations being approved. One matter OF
public interest was an order TO the Ell
| feet that the secretary of State be dl-
| rect ed to communicate the acceptance
of the gift of the Kennebec arsenal
property and have the deed recorded In
the Kenncbec registry. At the after
noon session, Paul d. Sargent, the
newly appointed highway commission
or appearcd before the Council and
qualified for the Office. At 6 o'clock.
| adjournment was taken until Ihurs-
day, June %, at P. M.
| The following general order. amend
ing the regulations for the National
Guard of the state of Maine. have
been issued from the office of the ad-
| iutant general. to the First and Second
Regiments of Infantry:
Augusta. May IL. 1905.
General Orders No. 10.
| / The regulations for the National
Guard Of the State Of Maine are mere
bv amended by striking out Section
1O7. which reads as follows: "A SUIT
able prize will be awarded to the conf
| pany or corps receiving the hishes'
score at the annual inspection IN
armories. This prize will be present
ed at parade during the annual ell.
campment and will be the property OF
the organization winning it. In ao.
dition a tabulation Of the reports Oh
the inspector general on each orgahi.
zation will be published in the annual
renort of the ad1utant general. The
relative standing of companies and
| corns as shown by said tabulation Will
be published in orders at parade our
ing the annual encampment' lmrheole
| ately previous to the presentation VI D.,