Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-07-10
Monthly Meeting Of Gov
ernor and Council.
Session Mostly Devoted to
Haynes Pardon Hearing.
Decision will Probably Be Render
ed This Morning.

one OF the principal matters which
was taken up by the Governor and
Council at the monthly meeting of that
BODY which was held Friday, beginning
at 10 O'Clock III the forenoon, was the
pardon hearing of Samuel D. Haynes,
VINO is serving a life sentence in the
State prison at Thomaston for the muir
der Of Andrew L. Robbins a member
of the Rockland police force, in 1879.
IL was the fifth time that Haynes had
PLEADED for executive clemency, and in
this instance the petitioner was repre-
scented by Col S. II. Rogers of Detroit,
brother-in-law.
In addressing the executive body Col
Rogers said that he would admit that
Haynes was a Maynard, reckless bow.
but that he had surely paid the penalty
FOR his crime; that he should have been
convicted of manslaughter instead of
murder, as he surely did not intend to
Kill the policeman but simply to stun
him so that he might make his escape
from the station house where he was
being confined on a minor charge.
Haynes was unjustly convicted of
murder said Colonel Rogers, land I'M
der the present statutes he would have
been convicted only of mansaughter.
Haynes has two sisters, one of
whom is the wife of a clergyman, while
the other, for many years teacher at
the Grrham Normal school, is the wife
of a manufacturer located in distant
state. These sisters and their hus-
bands, believing that Haynes has been
having satisfied themselves that he is
completely reformed and thoroughly
good man, are willing to take him he me
and give him an opportunity to reha-
bilitate himself. They believe, in COM
mon with hundreds OF people who know
Mr.. Haynes that the proper and legitl.
mate objects of punishment, namely,
the safeguarding of society and the re-
formation of the offender have in this
case, been fully accomplished and ask
that they may now nave the privilege
of performing what they regard as
their duty towards their unfortunate
brother.
Il will furnish a bond, if necessary
that Haynes, if given his freedom will
not become State charge"
A letter from Mrs. cynthia Robbins,
widow of Andrew Robbins, which ia
vored the pardon of Haynes, and which
had been read at previous hearing,
was read, and. mass of petitions ask
ing for Haynes pardon were presented
among the signers of which were some
of the most prominent men of the
State.
Hon. Phillip Howard of Rock
land, county attorney of Knox
county, conducted the case for
the opposition. Hon. Herbert l..
Shepherd of ROckport was called
as the first witness, and stated that
he was a deputy sheriff and had charge
of Haynes after he was arrested for the
murder Of Policeman Robbins. Haynes
told him the witness) that he would
get a life sentence for the murder OF
Robbins but that he would he free
some time and that he would kill the
witness
Naturally l would fear for my safe
ty if Sam Haynes We're released said
Mr.. Shepherd, Haynes said he would
not allow two or three men to prevent
him from getting his liberty: that he
never made a promise that he never
fulfilled or at least tried to fulfill. One
act committed by Haynes since he has
been in the prison shows that he is ca
pahle of committing murder.
Mr.. Shepherd read a number of rem
onstrances to the pardon of Haynes. in
Guiding many members and former
members of the legislature.
Hon. Joseph P. Bass of Bangor said
that he had no personal animosity
against Haynes or any of his relatives
but that he thought that society de-
manded that he remain in prison
Il have had great deal of expert
ence in public matters" said Mr. Bass
land | never saw so many prominent
people in this state who have signed
remonstrances for a mans pardon. In
Penobscot county we are more
familiar with the record of Samuel d.
Haynes than in the other sections OF
the State. F'Iorh the town of Patten
where Haynes' was born is remon-
STRANGE of over a hundred names and
some of those in Patten who signed
the petition for a pardon are relatives
of Mr.. Haynes In Penobscot county
we have reason to believe he is a
dangerous criminal and the people of
that county fear him. | certainly
but | believe that he is in the safest
and best place in the State prison at
ThomastOn.
1T is believed in Penobscot county
by hundreds of persons that Haynes
had something to do with the murder
of Tax Collector Elliott of Glenburn,"
continued Mr.. Bass, land | have a
feeling the same way as Mr.. Shepherd
that my life would not be safe if he
were liberated. 1t isn't for the
governor and council to please rela-
tives by pardonng a man. AS l have
before said, l have sympathy for
Haynes sisters but you can't make a
man over again. | hope and trust for
the best interests of the State, for the
best interests of his sister and rela-
tives, and to keep the flood of petitions
from coming in here that Haynes
serve the remainder of his days at
Thomaston."