Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-12
ONCE CONDEMNED TO DIE
Sentence COMMITTED to Life Term by
President Cleveland.
HAS SERVED FOURTEEN YEARS
Former Application Was Denied by
Roosevelt-Said to Be
Model Prisoner.

Another effort is to be made to secure
the pardon of Thomas J. Taylor, whose
tragic murder of his wife in this city
early in 1895 attracted much attention
at the time and for years afterward.
Taylor is an inmate of the Atlanta
federal prison. He was removed there
some years ago from the Albany prison,
where he had been confined since July.
1895
A long petition for the pardon of Taylor
has been filed with the pardon attorney
of the Department of Justice. The petit
tion is the spontaneous work Of former
prison officials at Atlanta, men who have
come in contact with Taylor at that
prison. 1t was presented here by Thomas
j. Dooling. former steward and store
keeper. Federal rules prevent officials
now in service from asking the pardon Of
a prisoner. The petition sets forth that
Taylor has a remarkable record for good
behavior and faithful service and that
he has proven himself one of the most
valuable men In the history of the insti-
tuition. During an epidemic of smallpox
he nursed the SICK, compounded the medi-
cine and showed the greatest fearless
ness. Prison physicians speak of him in
the highest terms.
Owing to the fact that the petition is
presented Taylor mas Deell
communicated with to ask II he has any
additions to make to it. He appears to
have no lawyer and no organized effort
Is being made for him.
COMMITTED by Cleveland.
Taylor one day met his little daughter
near his home. She showed him a piece
of money, which she said stranger had
given her at the house. Hurrying to his
TIA ic So Nd
er together. He killed his vie and tried
to kill the man. He was tried in the
District courts in April. 1885, was con-
victed Of murder the 10th of that month
and on the 27th sentenced to be hanged
Friday, July 70 His case was taken to
President Cleveland on appeal and July
~ OF that year the sentence was COM
muted by Mr.. Cleveland to Imprisonment
for life. In passing upon the case Mr.
Cleveland made the following comment:
sentence committed to Imprisonment
for life. In disposing of this case l am
not able to rest my action upon the far
too common allegation of insanity. nor
upon the theory of accidental or uninten-
tional homicide, both of which pleas have
been strongly urged on behalf of the con-
vicras well as upon his trial as upon his
application for executive clemency. This
communication is granted upon the ground
that in my opinion there has not been
presented in the case such distinct and
Satisfactorily evidence OF Fermentation as
should characterize the crime of murder
in the first degree. and because / think it
can be fairly assumed from the facts de-
veloped that the discovery by the convict
just prior to the homicide of the recent
and fragrant infidelity of his wife SO az
fected him that he took her life In an in
slant of blind passion and terrible rage
This case presents another illustration Of
the desirabtlity Of classification OF MUIR
der into degrees in the District OF Column
bia. as has been done with good results
In some states
Roosevelt Refused Pardon.
The pardon of Taylor was asked during
the administration of President Roosevelt,
and despite a favorable recommendation
from the attorney general, Mr. Moody,
Mr.. Roosevelt denied the pardon Mr..
Roosevelt granted fewer pardons than
any President who ever sat in the White
House.
In the most curions manner the files
OF Taylor's case have disappeared from
the Department of Justice. They can not
be found to be referred 10 and all that
Is OF record is the statement of Mr. Cleye-
land. as printed years ago in one of the
annual reports of the pardon attorney
1t is presumed that In passing the case
through SO many hands when it was
last before Mr.. Roosevelt or on some