The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-06-17
RELEASESCONVICT
GRANTS NINE PARDONS OR COM.
MUTATIONS OF SENTENCES.

Patrick quinn OF This City. Convicted Of
Granddaughter In 1908, Is Pardoned, az
IsT. ID. johnson, Convicted OF Forgery
In IoOA-Joseph Sofsku Also Set Free,
ALBANY, June 1o.-For the first time this
year Gov. Higgins to-day gave considera-
ton to applications for pardons and oom-
mutations Of sentences Of State prison oon-
viots. In late years Governors nave been
more loath to grant pardons than formerly,
when they would number between two and
three hundred q year. In recent years only
about a hundred pardons have been granted.
Gov. Higgins thought that the decrease was
due not only to the fact that political influence
not now permitted to enter into the
granting Of pardons, but also to the fact
that more care is taken by the courts and
prosecuting officers.
To-day nine pardons or combinations
were grantee by the Governor. He par
doned Patrick Quinn of New York city,
who was convicted on December "a, 1908.
OF granddaughter and who received a seven
year sentence.
George Doughe-ty, who was sentenced to
life Imprisonment for granddaughter In
April, 1895 has had his sentence committed
to twenty-five years, because there Is some
doubt as to whether he committed the crime.
Edward Myers. who lived on Avenue A;
was shot and killed on the street at midnight
in an alteration. and Dougherty was con
voted ON oircumstantial evidence. Myers's
father and brothers Joined In asking for
executive olemency for Dougherty.
The Governor pardoned Charles T. B.
johnson, who was serving a sever year
term in Sing Sing. johnson was convicted
Of forgery in New York city in 1904. but
owing to the fact that he has wealthy parents
In the West Indies and to the peculiar cir
cumstances surrounding the forgery, which
was for a small amount, little gould be
learned about his case.
John H. Grouse, who was sentenced from
Orange county In 1901 for manslaughter
for a term Of III years and six months,
will be released shortly. His crime was the
result of a saloon fight and bis Communication
was urged on the ground that there was no
criminal intent.
Joseph B. Noteworthy, who was sentenced
from New York city on January 20 last for
one year for grand larceny. has been par
doned. The firm which suffered and for
Burrit @. Arnet OF Buffalo received a
sentence for perjury in 1904 TO range be-
tween two years and six months and three
years and Sax months. He has been par
doned, having served the lesser sentence.
Gov. Higgins was much interested In
sofsku, who was sentenced to the Timira
Reformatory for ten years for burglary
from Broome county in October, 1900.
Because of his good behavior, Sofsku was
paroled by the reformatory officials and
Immediately was employee oy a New York
had just left the reformatqry. hroied
prisoners have to report each year, show
ing that they are making honest ivelhoods,
and after sofsku had worked in New York
for q year he asked his employer for a GER
tifoate to that effect to be sent to the re-
first year, but after hat told Sofsku he
should be willing to work for nothing under
the circumstances. Sofsku accepted this
situation for q time, and then left that
employment. In some way the reformasory
was '~apprehended, and, as q usual with
returned paroled prisoners, he was sent
to one Of the State prisons to finish out his
term. II Sofsku had remained at the re-
forpatory at the beginning he would have
been liberated before this ewing TO his
ernor has pardoned him.
In May, 1901, Orlando j. Haokett received
q six yea State prison sentence In New
York city for converting three railroad
bonds placed in his custody by a woman
client for investment purposes. There
was q long delay in his trial and he spent
two and q half years in the Tombs awaiting
it. As a matter Of fact Haokett never was
charged with criminal intent, and the pro-
ceedings against him, it is asserted, were
for the purpose Of forcing him to pay a
debt. He had invested the woman's money
unfortunately.
All Of these pardons or combinations
were earned by the good behavior Of the
men affected and we're urged by the Judges
presiding at he trials and the District
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