The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-05-30
(By the Associated Press

(By the Associated Press
Washington. d. G.. May 4-Presi-
dent Taft denied the applications for
the pardon of Charlie W. Morse. Of
New York, and John r. Walsh. OF
Chicago. the two most prominent
bankers ever convicted and sent to
Federal penitentiaries under the Ma
tional Banking laws. Not only did
the President refuse to pardon either
Morse Or Walsh, but he also declined
at this time to exercise any other sort
of executive clemency in these cases
or to shorten the sentences imposed
upon the two men by the ourtS in
which they were convicted.
In denying the pardons the Presi-
dent took q firm stand that the Ma
tional banking laws or any other laws
must be upheld when they affect the
rich man even more than when they
affect the poor. The record in the
Walsh case, the president aid iH-an
opinion, shows moral turpitude or
that insidious and dangerous kind 10
punish which the National banking
laws were especially enacted In
considering the case of Morse. the
President said ~that"from a considera-
ton Of the facts in each case, / have
no doubt that Morse should have re-
ceived a heavier sentence than Walsh.
Indeed, the methods taken by Morse
tend to show that more keenly than
Walsh did he realize the evil Of what
he was doing
In his opinion in the Walsh case.
the President protested against the
failure to discriminate between leeit-
innate business and improper gain.
The truth is said he, that in the
mad rush for wealth in the last few
decades, the lines between profit from
legitimate business and improper gam
from undue use of trust control over
other peoples property and money hos
sometimes been dimmeQ and the in
terest of society requires hat when
ever opportunity offers those charged
with the enforcement OF the law
should emphasize the distinction be-
tween honest business and dishonest
breaches Of trust
h Presidents denial Of the par
don applications of Moore and Walsh
does not mean that they must stay
In prison until the end OF their terms.
Walsh began a sentence Of five years
in January, 1910. in the L~eaEenWofth
penitentiary, and under the Federal
parole law is eligible for parole next
September. the Presidents action to-
night having no bearing whatever
dktSAX &oS
role.
Morse began his ffteen-years' term
in the Atlanta Prison in
1910, also. In denying his applica-
ton the President granted leave TO
renew it after January i, 1913. IN
der the parole law law Morse would
be eligible for release in 1915.
Both Morse and Walsh made strong
efforts to have the President exercise
clemency He was besieged by friends
and attorneys Of both men. Mrs.
Morse got up a monster petition.
which was signed by scores Of mem
bers Of Congress and other promi-
nent persons and former Senator
of Maine. did much in her be
half. n pleas of ill-health ana
reimbursement of ali<depositos In
the Morse and Walsh banks were
made in both cases.
Both applications were scanned
closely at the Department of Justice
by Attorney General Wickersham and
his assistant. and was read with care
by the President himself. His ac-
ton was in accord with the recon-
n~endations of Mr.. Wickersham.
Miss Louisa WoodliH Dead.
Little Miss Louisa Woodlin, the 10 year-