Omaha daily bee., 1909-06-15
Nebraska
PARDON ASKED FOR NELSON
Governor Hears Friend Of Man Con.
oerned in Lausten Murder.
sLABAUGH ADVISES CLEMENCY
Former County Attorney says Convic-
tiOn of other Three Men Was
Due Largely to Testimony
of Nelson.

- '''A "a NNIAA
LINCOLN. Neb., June 1L-CSpecial)-A
plea was made for a pardon for Raymond
Nelson. now serving a life term In the
penitentiary for completely in the murder
of Nels Lausten. an Omaha saloon keeper,
In 1896, Former County Attorney STA
baugh and John M. mcfarland appeared
in Nelson's interest before the governor
this afternoon. They we're accompanied
by the father Of Nelson, who asked the
pardon of his son on behalf Of his mother,
whom he told the governor was in a dy-
ing condition. Judge Slabaugh prosecuted
Nelson and those who were indicted with
him Tor the murder
lie told the governor that Nielsen had
stood by him, and without Nelson it would
have been impossible to have convicted
jay o'fIearn, Warren and Angus. For
that reason he believed executive Glenn
ency should be granted the convicted man.
Public, seatlmsnt was very hot at the
time OF the trial" said Judge Slabaugh,
and it was because of that Nelson was
sentenced. He should not have served one
day in prison. He stood by the state
through three trials, without the promise
Of immunity, and for that reason he should
rcc"ire executive clenency." said the
iude,.
Judge Slahaugh argued that it would be
eNtrtmel+ difficult to secure convictions
in the .futuTs unless those who turned
stutc'a evidence SHOULD receive some re
vars Tor thel. acts. II an the members of
a combination organized to commit crime
knew that none Of them could receive i'm
munity ~ telling the truth, then no one
would turn states evidence, and thus
prosecutors would be unable to break up
SUCH con binstions.
nanItN Attnrnay' Grant Martin yaip L..
had recommended that Nelson should, under
the circumstances, receive at least a com
mutation vi his sentence to a stated term
of years. tfho governor took the case UNI
der ADJ isement.
Premiums of BondinE Co-nDanies.
The board created by tile late legislature
to investigate the premiums charged by
surety companies for bonding public Off
Gals and fix a rate to be charged by these
companies, met with representatives of
the Underwriters exchange in The office OF
the governor this afternoon. The ques-
tion OF rates was gone over informally and
the beard will tomorrow promulgate some
rates.
1t is probable that the board will adopt
the same rates that are now in effect,
adding thereto new business upon which
the companies have made no rates in Ne
braska. 1t is also possible that the pre-
miums paid for bonds for state Officers
will be somewhat reduced. But the rates
to be fixed now will be tentative only. John
M. Gilchrist is going east shortly and he
will check up the companies at their head.
quarters and make a report back to the
board. which will give the members more
tangible evidence than they now have upor
which to work.
1t was brought out at the meeting that
the surety companies do not have a uni
form rate for every state, but that the
risk is taken 'nuo consideration in each
state. This led Auditor Barton to suggest
that conditions SHOULD have brought around
a reduction of rates in Nebraska rather
thai an increase but the surety agent,
could not see It that way. The following
representatives of the Underwriters eX
change were here: Harry S. Byrne, E. L
Culver, II. o. Beatty, II. l.. Mallo and J
r. Wells.
Bankers Meet Wednesday.
Both the president and the secretary o
the Nebraska Bankers association will b.
IN Lincoln for the meeting of group No.