The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-06-14
POWERS AND
 HOWARD PARDONED
(continaed from Pase one.l

(Contfnued from Page One.l the general assembly kept their senses and went on under the constitution and the law. and the whole state was full of hope for a fair decision of the contest ion its merits. when suddenly every body was startled by the news of the murder of Senator Goebel and there ensued such storm of passion and excitement that while many good men of both parties stood firm, the voice of reason was drowned tn the tumult.
 sPeace and good will. law and order, and the support of the government of the State were for the time almost de. serted. The Commonwealth was rent by partisan threats and cries Tor ,, yen ., law and no one could tell what day might bring forth.
 sonal and political friends of the mur- dered Senator. spurred by duty ana ai- lection alike. used every enort 10 avenge the murder and every clue and runaor were eagerly seized upon and followed up with all the energy that horror of crime and personal devotion couid inspire and all sorts and kinds of men. honest and dishonest, and har- pies attracted by the reward, Joined n the man-hunt. The erotners or VII
 
 memory. made 1t the chief end of their lives to punish the criminal and in that have the sympathy of every good man and woman.
 "Selfsh politicians sn turn put the feeling against the crime to base uses and for personal ends and the whole State was divided into two camps. with neighbor against neighbor, in frenzy, while all the world marveied at the sight. until at last the passion was spent and the people. worn with the struggle registered their decree that these cases should no longer be the football of politics. but should be con sidered like other cases, not polltlcaI- ly. but upon their merits, without pas sion. hate, abuse or prejudice, and the people gave their trust and confidence to my promise to consider them just like other cases, upon the law ana facts. without fear or favor, anu pron1ised that my mission was one or peace and good will and an eno 70 strife and hate.
 1T have done all that strength has heen given me to do to consider the cases regardless of my personal wishes, gvmpathies or first impressions ana wholly in the light of truth ana risn., have such a responsibility placed upon him, I neither seek to avoid criticism nor win praise in making my decision.
 II carry no burden of regret that the duty has fallen to my lot, but am reverently thankful that 1t has come to pass that I should be the instrument of Justice and mercy, as God has giV- en me to see my duty. and know the right. and my faith is unfaiiing that He. in whom I have trusted to lead me to A right and just decision. has also revealed the truth to all that gooo may come of 1t, peace from strife ana contention, good will and neighborly Saaline and an end to these troubles.
 "The constitution makes 1t the duty of the Governor, when granting par don. to file with the application statement of the reasons for his de- cision. After due notice to the repre- sentatives of the Commonwealth ana of the accused and after full argument before me in public by both sides. and after a most patient. laborious and careful examination of all the evid- ence in the trials, grant Caleb Pow CTS and unconditional pardon for the offense with which he stands charged. and q restoration of all his Tlgnts, q with De reIeaaed from the jail h which he is ircarcerated. and in discharge of my duty under the above constitutions al provision, now state as mysreason for granting a pardon. that l am firm iy convinced that he is beyond all rea- sonable doubt, Innocent of the crime charged against him in the indictment and that any further prosecution against him for the crime so charged would be a great wrong and against the peace and well being of the Com monwealth.
 Desired by the People.
 ''T may say, in addition, that in my judgment, after the fullest inquiry. the release of the accused from liability to further prosecution of the charge preferred against him Is desired by the vast majority of the people of Ken- lucky without distinction as to party.
 "The Court of Appeals has reversed three trials and convictions of Caleb Powers, for errors against him. On the fourth trial, ten of the twelve jurors. members of both parties, voted for his acquittal and signed petition for his pardon.
 Although the Governor is authoriz- ed to pardon in advance of or without