Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-01-29
GOV. AND COUNCIL.
Chase Pardon Refused 90
Haines Hearing, Feb, rs.
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The regular meeting of the Governor
and Council for the month Of January
was held in the Council chamber al
the state House yesterday, commencing
at about 1879 in the forenoon and re-
quiring two sessions for the transac-
ton of the business which came be
fore it. At the opening of tho meeting
among the other appointments which
We're confirmed were those "t
Benedict f. Maher as judge Of the
municipal court of tho city Of.
Augusta and A. d. Cornish az
judge of tn" municipal court of
the city Of Lewiston. The amount Of
business transacted at the meeting
both in the line Cf routine matters and
otherw Use was large.
A feature of the meeting was the
presentation Of another petition for the
pardon of Samuel ID. Haines, who is
serving a life sentence in the State
prison at Thomaston for the murder Of
James l.. Robbins. a Rockland police
man, in 1879 This is the fifth time
that Haincs has applied for executive
clcmency, and not in recent years has
such pressure been brought to bear on
the Governor and Council as in this
case The last hearing on the petition
was held at the July meeting Of the
Governor and Council last year. and at
the October meeting the petitioners
We're given leave to withdraw.
The statement of Cynthia Robbins of
Rocklapd, widow OF the murdered
policeman, dated at Rockland Oct. 20.
1907. was filed with the papers in the
Haines case yesterday. She asks the
Council to grant pardon to Haines.
The statement of Mrs. Robbins is us
follows:
believing that Samuel ID. Iiaines.
now serving life sentence at Thomas
ton for taking the life of my huS-
band, the late James Robbins. has been
amply punished for his crime; and be-
lievng further that said HaineS IS now
a thoroughly reformed and good man,
capable Of now becoming useful
citizen and an example to mankind in
general, if released, i desire to express
my earnest wish that he now be grant
ed a pardon by Your honorable body.
I'm spite of the great injury inflicted
upon me by Mr.. Haines, / am now,
in accordance with what ! believe to be
enlightened Christian doctrine. ready to
way OF affording him an opportunity
which he now seeks III order to enable
him to complete his atonement."
State Senator Walter B. Clark OF
Portland is counsel for the petitioners
for the pardon and a hearing will be
held on the matter at the February
meeting Of the Governor and Council.
The Edward A. Chase pardon mat
ter was taken up. Judge E. L. Chase of
Buehill counsel for the petitioners.
appearing at the meeting. Judge
Chase read number of letters in an
effort TO disprcve certain stories which
have been in circulation about
criminal intimacy which it was alleged
existed between Chase and female
life prisoner committed from kenne-
bee county. during the administration
Of a former warden at the prison.
II get nothing out of this case. not
even my expenses" said Judge Chase,
but when l was a member of the
Council l heard the petitioners and 1
am firmly convinced that the man
should be pardoned and that Chase was
absolutely irresponsible for the crime"
Hon. Joserh f. Laid. former mayor
of the city of Gardiner and the father
of the murdered woman, strongly and
earnestly. and with tears in his eyes.
opposed the granting of the pardon.
L believe" said Mr. Ladd. that
Chase was responsible for the murder
of my beloved daughter. OF course You
should sympathize with Mrs. Knapp.
rhase'S mother. hut you should ais"
think of my wife now in ne~ 1nih year,
who was deprived Of the society of Ter
daughter. If 50 desired | could get