The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-11-13

fenced to life imprisonment, but later
her sentence was committed to on
hnement in a reform school during
minority. The president committed
her sentence to expire Immediately.
n Of the few instances in which
the president disregarded the recon-
mendation Of Attorney General Wick
ersham was in the case of Charles
O'Neal. convicted of committing MUIR
der on a government reservation in
Kansas. O'Neal was sentenced to
hang once but was granted a respite
while the department of justice was
considering his application for a par.
don. The attorney general reported
adversely. but President Taft, doubt
ing II sufficient generalization exist
ed to justify conviction Of murder in
the first degree, commuted the SEN
tence to life Imprisonment.
Mercy for Sailors and Soldiers.
Scores of deserving soldiers and sail
ors who were caught and sentenced
for various terms have been restored
to their rights Of citizenship by the
president upon the recommendation of
the secretary Of war and the secretary
of the navy. Private citizens who
have forfeited their rights Of citizen
ship by committing some crime are
never re-enfranchised until many
years have passed, and they have
proved their ability to lead law-abid-
ing lives.
President Taft took into considera-
ton sudden misfortune when he COM
muted the sentence Of James T. Man.
tonga Of Ohio, convicted of the illegal
sale OF oleomargarine. and sentenced
to serve six months In jail and to pay
a fine Of $1,000. The crime was COM
mitted in 1903. After the man had
paid 5000 on his fine. fire destroyed
his home and all its contents, leaving
MIN q little farm which was mortgage
ed. Thercupon the president commut-
ed he sentence to a fine of $500.
Preferred P~enitentiary to Jail.
George W.. England Of Alabama was
convicted of carrying on al illegal
liquor business in 1910, and was sen
fenced to serve a term Of one year
and one day in the p~enitentiary, and
to pay a fine of 500. He was con-
fined in the county Jail for five months
awaiting trial. and when sentence was
pronounced the trial Judge gave him
the option of serving six months in
the Jail or twelve months in the peni-
tentiaryy. On account of the hot
weather and the condition Of the jail,
he chose the latter. After he had
served about ten months, his sentence
was commuted to expire Immediately.
The only case involving a hold-up of
81 S0S oA u AS ~ NoIuSbN
has SO far had to pass was that Of
L. A. Potter of Texas. convicted in
May 1885, Of stopping a stage coach
carrying mail. robbing the mail, and
putting the life of the carrier in
jeopardy by the use Of a deadly weap-
on. He was sentenced to life impris-
onment. According to the statement Of
persons on the coach at h time of
tho robbery, the only injury commit
ted by Potter was the taking Of 50
q watch and chain. which were after
ward recovered. In 1909 the presi-
dent committed the sentence to cx-
pire Immediately.
Sustains McKinlcy's View.
Mr.. Taft took up a case passed up.
on by President Mckinley in June.
1893. c. L. Addington of Texas, con-
victed OF murder. vas first sentenced
to be hanged in May. 1897. but in Sep
TENDER. 1897, President Mckinley
commuted the sentence to life inn
prisonment. The attorney general de.
cided that no motive was shown dur.
ing the trial and that the stories told
by the governments witnesses were
very improbable. He recommended
that the sentence be further commute
ed to expire Immediately and Presi-
dent Taft approved the rccoinmcnda.
ton.
Mistaken identity entered into the
case Of Luigi Zumhino Of New Jersey,
who was convicted In July 1908. Of at
tempting L" pass counterfeit 81 bills
and sentenced to siX years in the New
Jersey %pcnitentiary. 1t was later dis.