Norwich bulletin., 1909-07-23
COW WEEKS vEToEs
THE PARDON BILL
Menace to Security of the state-6e.
iieves in Unanimous Vote Rule.

Hartford, July Ex-Governor Weeks
sent to the senate this morning his veto
of the bill providing that a pardon
might be granted even il one member
of the state board of pardons voted
against it. The present law requires q
unanimous vote of the board, and 1t
had been rumored that the governor
would veto the new law. He has been
strongly urged to do this from all parts
of the state and especially by the board
of pardons itself. The main question
seems to be a difference of opinion be-
tween the board of pardons and the
state prison directors, the latter favor
ing the new law. DR.. knight of Sails
bury, who is a member of the state
board of pardons strongly opposed the
bill on the floor of the house as repre-
senting the board.
Governor Weeks gives as his reason
for vetoing the bill the following:
TT is manifest that no state can long
continue unless those acts which men,
ace the safety and prosperity of its
people meet with sure punishment. and
the first object of all punishment, as /
see it, Is a wrong doing should be made
as unattractive as possible.
by our law every safeguard is
thrown about the accused, and it Is his
right to be tried by a jury of his fell
low citizens, to be convicted only after
proof beyond all reasonable doubt and
upon the unanimous verdict of the
triers. Nevertheless, despite these pre-
cautions, error creeps in. and new evil
dence or extenuating circumstances are
apt to be found, making the pardoning
power a necessary part of the admins
tration of the criminal law. But, as
in the first instance. greatest care Is
used to guard the interests of the ac-
cuseds so IN the exercise of the pardon
ing power must the interests of the
state be as jeaiously protected.
Certainly no pardons should be
granted unless the whole board agrees
that the new circumstances are such
eas to outweigh any detriment to the
state. Where there is doubt which
would prevent part of the board from
coming to such an agreement, the pro-
posed bill would deny to the state the
same protection which we give to the
individual
4 believe that the proposed bill is
but the first step on the wrong road
and that it is the letting down of the
bars to further invasion against tho
security of the state. If, in the opin-
ion of your honorable body, the board
as presently constituted Is too large,
let it be reduced in number. but let the
unanimous vote be retained. am in
formed upon the best authority that in
the history of the board every case has
been determined favorably or unfavor-
ably by no less than the vote of all.
1T is easy to obscure the real issue
The safety of the state demands only
that the punishment shall be confined
1t does not demand that anyone shall
suffer more than he deserves. There
fore, / say lets the legislature scan
closely the punishment now upon the
statute books and if any is too severe
let it be reduced. but let false senti-
ment lessen that protection which is
the right of our law abiding citizens"
This veto was sent to the senate and
that body reconsidered its action in
passing the bill and tabled the matter