New-York tribune., 1907-08-18
GOTERNOR NTH A HEART
What Is Said an Tennessee Whfn
PdrdOns Are Granted.

Nashville. Tenn. Aug. II (SpeciaD.-" Ham
PattersOn-s heart"' This has been 2 familiar
exclamation in Tennessee since the present Cow
ernor assumed direction OF the states affairs
1t originated in derision with his enemies. and
was spoken with by them whenever
fresh pardon received the executive signature
But. like certain historical terms. such a.
Rebel" and "Roundhead." applied in contempt
by enemies. Il has been accepted by the friends
of Governor Patterson. and they declare their
readiness TO blazon il on his banner in the ap-
preaching campaign and go before the peopl.
on the issue Of Ham Patterson's heart"
Governor Patterson has used the pardoninx
power freely since the pen was placed in his
hand He has pardoned some noted nurderers
and crooks and in some cases undoubtedly
deserves some measure of the Censure he has
received from hostile press and from his po-
litical enemies He has always accompanied IN.
pardon with a reason for his action. He has
broken the record for pardons in the time he
has been in office. the total number being 20S.
Governor Bob Taylor held the record prior
to this time. he having parGOned seventy-five
conviCts in approximately the same period OF
time. They used 70 cenSure Bob" for the too
free exercise OF Clemency. but they never
able to best him when he went before the people
for Endorsement
Governor Patterson has lust hardened thirty
eight Convicts in a bunch. a thing unparalleled
in this or perhaps any other state But his ene-
mics will scarcely have the tenerity TO sneer
" Ham PattersOn's heart in connection with
This act.
Until Governor Pattersons accession 10 Office
Tennessee had made provision for the sep
aratiOn of tuberculosis cases at the state pris-
ons- There were many Of these Cases-whites.
negroes. old, friendless and on the verge OF the
grave. Again. there are scores Of boys in the
state prison. from eleven to sixteen years. whose
prison records good who are not incorrigi-
BILE and who a at
terson announced more than a month ago that
he would personally inspect the prisons and the
state mines for the purpose OF interesting him
self in the cases OF boys and the victims OF dis
ease and accident who had no friends To appeal
10 him I'm their behalf
He kept his word He made several trims 70
the prisons and mines. observed many cases in
person and secured from the wardens the rec-
ords of the prisoners. These the Governor
went into carefully and the result was the issue
of thirty-eight pardons in a single day These
pardons included eighteen boys between the
ages of eleven and eighteen years: five veteran
prisoners. between the ages of hftv and sixty
six years. who had served long parts Of their
time and who had friends 10 plead for CIenl-
ency: thirteen convicts afflicted with tubercu-
iosis. the majority of them colored: two convicts
who had been injured while working in the
state mines
Governor Patterson stated uDo, the dav these
pardons were issued that he had not considered
in taking this action how il would be received:
he had exercised the power placed in his hands
ny the people IN the interest of humanity and
IN the interest Of boys who might be reclaimed;
ne would continue to exercise this cIenency
whenever he was satisfied that the case was
worthy Before the boys We're liberated from
the prison they were brought before the Gov
ernor. who spoke to them feelingly and sympa-
thetically of their past offences. and gave them
wholesome advice To their future lives. Ths
boys were visibly moved by the Governors
words. and each promised that he should never
regret his clemency..
n characteristic incident occurred at one OK
the Governors visits to the state prison. Pass
ing through the main corridor he was ap-
preached by skinny Hite one Of the most
noted crooks i'm stripes and Of the mos'
plausible of prisoners. When Patterson was
states attorney at Memphis he had sem
skinny up for long for burglary
skinny advanced with a smile. shook hahu'
with the Governor. and entering upon
plea for clemency when Governor Pattsrs'"
interrupted him.
Hold on. skinny: il isn't your turn now.
am here to look into cases that l am less "a
miliar with than yours" The convict tulhe
sadly away. wait minute Skinny 49,
the Governor fumbled in his pocket las
this" skinny found himself the possessoi =
a So note the Governor moved on -
Since these occurrences little has been hsa ,
from the Governors political enemies oo0
Ham Patterson's heart
en- EnNllSA OE HER