The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1906-01-25
THE FRED NJ. STAPLES CASE.


Ladies of Belfast Sign a Petition for His
Pardon that he May Care for His Inva-
lid Wife.
| It is well known that Fred M. Staples,
now serving Jail sentence given at the
last September term of court, and who re-
ceived an additional Jail sentence at the
January term, has an invalid wife; and be-
cause of that fact efforts have been made to
have him let out daily to attend to her, and
latterly to have him pardoned The Judge
who first sentenced Staples was informed
of the circumstances, but while regretting
them did not feel that the case was one for
cemency. The judge presiding at the Janu-
airy term was also informed OF the invalid
wife, and it no doubt influenced his action,
for in seven cases to which Staples pleaded
| guilty the sentences imposed aggregated only
| $500 and costs and 90 days in Jail. 1t should
be stated here that once sentenced the Judge
cannot alter the sentence in any way, or
authorize any privileges. His jurisdiction
over the prisoner does not extend beyond
the sentence, and if pardon is desired it
must be asked of the Governor and Council.
The sheriff is held responsible for prisoners
committed to his custody, and if he should
allow them to escape he would be open to
censure. AS both the judge and the sheriff
have been unjustly criticised in this case,
this explanation is given. There is no rea-
sonable ground for complaint as to either
official.
| Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 18th, meet
ing of ladies was called to meet in the col
lector's room at the custom house and con-
slider the question of asking for pardon
for Staples, that he might be free to care
for his wife, who is helpless invalid. Mrs.
Charles A. Pilsbury was elected chairman
of the meeting, and DR.. Elmer Small, Mrs.
Staples physician, then gave a statement of
her condition. He said that as her disease
was incurable all efforts to have her placed
in hospital had been fruitless; that she
was entirely helpless; and that he, who had
devoted much time and personal attention
to the patient for the past three months,
would be unable to do so much longer. DR..
Small further said that it has been difficult,
as well as very expensive, to secure nurses
and have proper care given Mrs. Staples
and that she needed the time and attention
of her husband. The matter was discussed
at some length by the ladies present and it
was finally voted that, provided Mr. Staples
would sign statement to the effect that he
would not again engage in the liquor traffic
in any way in the State of Maine, a petition
would be circulated for signatures among
the ladies of Belfast, asking the Governor
and Council to pardon Mr. Staples because
of the helpless condition of his wife. Mrs
Elmer Small was made committee to Sc
cure the statement required and to have
petition drawn up for signatures. This was
done, and following is the statament signed
by Mr. Staples in the presence of Sheriff
Carleton:
|, Fred NJ. Staples of Belfast, Maine,
now confined in Waldo county Jail at Bel
| fast Maine under sentence imposed for the
| illegal sale of Intoxicating liquors, in con-
| sideration that certain ladies and residents
of Belfast will petition the Governor and
| Council of the State of Maine that pardon
may be granted me for the offences for
which l have been sentenced, do premise
; and agree that if a pardon is granted me
for said offences l will never, from and
after the day of my liberation from said
| JAIL directly or Indirectly engage in or be-
come interested in the sale OF intoxicating
! liquors within the State of Maine, or in any
way violate any of the provisions of the
/ ProhbitoTy Law of said State.
Belfast, Maine, January IS, 1906.
FRED NJ. STAPLES.
| Signed and sealed this day in the presence
of Amos f. Carleton.
Following is a copy of the petition:
To HON WILLIAM T. COBB, GOVERNOR
OF THE STATE OF MAINE AND MEM
BERs OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL:
The undersigned, ladies and residents OF
the City of Belfast, in the County OF Waldo,
respectfully represent that Fred NJ. Staples
of said Belfast is now confined in the Waldo
county Jail at said Belfast, under sentences
imposed by the Supreme judicial Court for
the County of Waldo, at the January term
thereof. The court docket, numbers and
offences are as follows:
No. $50. Common seller of intoxicating
liquors. 60 days in Jail.
No 633. Common seller of intoxicating
liquors. 60 days in jail.
No. 634. Single sale of intoxicating IL
quors 80 days in jail.
No. 635. Keeping intoxicating liquors
with the intent that same may be sold in
violation of law. 60 days in jail:
No 64S. Keeping intoxicating liquors
with intent that same be sold in violation
of law. Fine 500 and costs, and in default
of payment, 60 days in Jail, to take effect
after expiration of sentence named in No.
$50.
No 659 Common seller of Intoxicating
liquors. Fine 800 and costs, and in de-
fault of payment, 60 days in jail, to take
effect after expiration of sentence named in
| No. 634
No. 66S Maintaining common nuisance,
8 months in jail.
That said Fred NJ. Staples has been serv-
ing sentences of Imprisonment for similar
offences, continuously, since September
term of said court.
That Mrs. Fannie Staples, wife of said
Fred M. Staples, is sick of disease for
which there is no known remedy Or cure