The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-03-14


The Pensacola journal published ar
article written by myself, and en-
titled, The PaTdoning of Criminals
Nearly two years of constant OOser-
walton and study OF this veXed prob
lem at the close range afforded by my
Official connection with the Florida
Board Of PaTdons had given me ample
opportunity for further investigation
OF a problem in which l had long
stncc become very much Interested,
and in the preparation of the article
dealing vita the exercise OF the par
eouing power I took occasion to pre-
sent some of my views on cTimlnOiogy
in general
tried 10 point out the results in
tended TO be accomplished by the
punishment of criminals, called atten-
ton to what I considered defects in
our present system, and suggested
some reforms. | am much indebted
TO the press of the state for the wide
publicity given to the article, and feel
much honored by the fact that prac-
tLeaiiy all of the many editorial COM
nents endorsed my views, credited
me with a careful study of the sub
lect under consideration, and pro-
neunced my suggestions both timely
and good.
I have followed up the matter by
gestions i'm a bill which / viii seek TO
have introduced at the next session OF
Che legislature, and which l am now
requesting a few of the most PTOmi
nent papers to publish, with view TO
securfng mature consideration. The
bill is as follows
A BILL
TO be entftled. An Act creating the
office Of Pardon Attorney; prescribing
the duties OF such Pardon Attorney
pnd fixing his compensation; and pro-
viding that certain documents and
notice of intention TO apply Tor par
don OF Communication of sentence shall
be filed with such Pardon Attorney at
least thirty days before the applica-
Rion is presented to the state board
Of pardOns for final action.
BE IL enacted by the legislature OF
Florida:
Section / That the Office of par
don attorney for the state of Florida
is hereby created. The salary OF such
sardon attorney shall be two thou
kand five hundred dollars per year,
payable from the fund arising from
the hire of state cOnvicts.
Sec. ,. 1t shall be the duty OF the
members o. the State Board of Par
dons provided for by the constitution,
Immediately upon this act becoming 4
law, TO recommend for appointment
as pardon attorney a lawyer who has
been admitted to practice in the cir
cult courts and the supreme court of
this state; and the governor shall, i'm
medietely upon such recommendation
appoint as pardon attorney the person
so recommended. In making such
recommendation the vote of a major
ity Of said Board OF PaTdOns shall pre-
vail. The pardon attorney shall mold
Office for four years, unless sooner
removed from Office Tor some cause
for which other state officers not sub
ject TO Impeachment may be suspend
ed and removed.
Sec. 3. All persons Intending 10
make application for a pardon for any
onense. or for a communication of any
sentence, shall file with the pardon
attorney, at least thirty days before
such application is made to the Beard
of Pardens a notice of intention 10
make such application Such notice
shall state the day upon which such
aDpIication will be made, and shall be
accompanied by a copy of the ihdlcr-
ment and sentence OF the court and a
statement of the evidence inteRdd to
be relied upon at the time Of making
the application. Nothing in this sec
ton shall be construed as repeating
OF notice of inteption 70 apply for a
pardon or Communication of sentence by
posting or publication in a newspa-
Per.
Sec. I. Upon receipt of such no
tice and copies of documents, it shall
be the duty OF the pardon attorney tc
Immediately communicate with the
Judge and prosecuting attorney Of the
court in which the applicant was con-
Victed, and with such other officers
and citizens as may seem to be ad-
vised OF the facts IN the case, calling
upon such officers and citizens for a
statement OF all the facts and ciTcum-
stances connected with the conviction
Of the applicant and for such other
facts as may seem 10 him to bear
upon the question Of the applicants
pardon or Communication Of sentence
He shall also apply to the commits
sioneF Of agriculture for the record
OF the applicant since his confinement
IN prison.
Sec. .. The pardon attorney shall
arrange and compile all the informa-
ton and data obtained by him as
result OF such inquiries. and shall
present the same, together with a
written statement of the case as dis
cations. to the board of pardOns at
the same time the application for par
don or Communication of sentence is
presented
Sec. 6. II any supervisor of state
COnviCts shall report in writing TO the
pardon attorney the name of any con-