The Mena weekly star., 1907-07-04
WHY GOV. PINDALL
 PARDONED BUTT
Believed the Former Senator Had Sui fered Enough and That There Were Many Others Far More Guilty
 Than He.

 Gov. X. 0. Pindall of former State Senator F. O. Butt of Car roll county, who began his two years sentence for bribery Janu ary 1 of this year, was not unex. pected. The attitude of the form CT senator as we'll as other facts that have developed since his conviction have gained tor him much sympathy over the state.
 In issuing the pardon Gov. Pindall wrote an open letter to Mrs. Butt at Eureka Springs. After making clear that the par don was not intended to in any way condone the crime for which Butt was convicted, the governor wrote, in part, as follows:
 'sIu view of all of the condi- tions surrounding the investiga- tion of the legislative bribery situation, feel that ia this case, the disgrace, the deprivation of liberty and the absence from his home and loved ones, which your husband has already suffered and undergone, has as fully satisfied all just demands of the law, as his further confinement would accomplish.
 "Second--I believe that all who are familiar with the bribery in- vestigation are morally certain that there are many others far more guilty of the crime for which your husband was convicted than IS he, but who up to this time have been protected by circum- stances unavailable in behalf of your husband.
 "Third--I believe that the fur ther confinement of your husband in the penitentiary adds nothing more to his disgrace, but goes above and beyond him, and but increases your own misery and suffering.
 .sIf it is of satisfaction to you, I will mention the fact which the court records establish to the ef- feet that your husband was com victed upon the testimony of one, who has since admitted under his oath that he was guilty of receiv- ing much larger sum of money than your husband is alleged to have offered as bribe. If this statement had been presented in your husbands case. under tue law applicable to the theory Of the prosecution the persons whose testimony was received to estab- fish the conspiracy would not have been received in evidence under the law applicable 10 your hus- bands case.
 You may receive some further satisfaction from the fact that hardly day has passed since l have been in the governors office that l have not received some numerously signed petition or some special letter from responsi- ble citizens of Arkansas asking for your husbands pardon, and stating some of the reasons which 1 have herein assigned, and from others who having known him for years and stoutlv maintain your husbands innocence.
 In conclusion, deep concep- ton of the humane side of life prompts the sentiment and the hope that with the native ability and talents possessed by your nus band, aided by your love and loyal devotion and the willing, helpipg hand outstretched bC thousands of his well wishers and friends, that the golden sunlight of hope may brush aside the sable over haugiugs of deep despair and from the suffering aud tribula- tions of the past may come happier and truer view of life which enable you thus reunited to your husband and him to you and his children, 10 gather up the fragments ot shattered hopes of his past years and crystalline them with stable adherance to life, as feel he will now see it."
 Prosecuting Attorney Photou announces that there are yet indictments standing against