The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-05-25
TAF 7 REFUSES
To 0|NTERFERE
WITH JUSTICE
Denies Applications for Par
don of Charles W. Morse
and John r. Walsh, the
Imprisoned Bankers.
ALSO DECLINES TO
EXTEND CLEMENCY
Declares Laws Must Be Up
held When They Affect
the Rich Even More
Than Che Poor.

WASHINGTON. May 24-Presldent
Saft tonight denied the applications for
the pardon OF Charles w. Morse OF New
York and John r. Walsh OF Chicago. the
two most prominent bankers ever con-
victed and sentenced to federal prisons
under the national banking laws.
Not only did the president refuse TO
pardon them. But he also declined to cx-
ercise any other executive clcmency In
their cases 10 shorten their sentences i'm
posed by the courts.
In denying the pardons the president
took firm stand that the national bank
held when they affect the rich man even
more than when they affect the poor.
The record in the Walsh case. the presi
dent said. shows moral turpitude OF that
insidious and dangerous kind, to punish
which the national banking laws were
especially enacted"
In eonsidering. the case OF Morse the
the facts in each case have no doubt
that Morse should have received a
heavier sentence than Walsh. Indeed. the
that more kcenly than Walsh did he
realize the evil that he was doing"
Still Have Right Of Parole.
The presidents denial OF the pardon
applications do not mean that the men
must stay in prison until the end of their
lclHlS. w 9lSn began Il i've years sen
tence In the Learenworth pen!tentiary in
January. 1910. and under the federal pa
role law is eligible for parole next Sep
tember. the presidents action tonight
ture application for parole.
!. Morse also began his fifteen year term
In the. Atlanta penitenuary In January.
1910. In denying his application the pres
ident granted leave 10 renew il after
January ]. 1913. Under the parole law
Morse would be eligible for release In
1915
Both Morse and Walsh made strong ef-
forts to have the president exercise Glenn
ency. He was besieged by friends and
attorneys of both. Mrs. Morse got up
scores of members OF congress and other
leading persons Former Senator Hale
OF Maine did much In her behalf. The
pleas OF i'll health and reimbursement OF
oil depositors in the Morse and Walsh
banks were made in both cases.
Applications Read With Care.
Both applications were closely scanned
at the department Of Justice by Attorney
General Wickersham and his assistants.
and were read with care by the presi-
dent His action was in accord with the
recommendation of Mr. wickersham-
In denying the Walsh application the
president said in Part:
John r. Walsh was convicted ot mis-
application OF the funds of the Chicago
National bank while It's president
violations pefS'h Of laws " we're teeSnica and did
not involve moral turnitude and secured
him no financial benefit.
Second because all the depositors of
his banks were paid through the sacrifice
of his private fortune.
Third. because he was. in doing what
he did attempting 10 upbuild industries
OF substantial benefit 10 the country.
Fourth because he is old man. in
III health not likely 10 live long and one
who has borne n good reputation and
lived a life OF simplicity and not OF self
Indulgence.
"The application for pardon must be
denied, In the first place. the record
shows moral turpitude OF that iusidiouS
and dangerous kind. TO punish which the