Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1912-05-23
.d their money in his bank.


 Under these circums ances l be- lieve there is more reason for the eN- c"cise of the pardoning power than probably n any others thI. might be cited. It is q case where sympathy for the diseased and aged, forgiveness for an uninten iona violation of the law and mercy towards the helpless ard iGarmless prompts me to 'ake this action"
 number of communications have been received Icy the Chief Executive recently asking that he pardon Mr. Morris, and among the most promin- ent of these people is Rev Robert l.. Selle who is now pastor of the Scott Street Methodist church of this city.
 Rev Mr. Selle has been an intimate friend of Mr Morris for number of years, having been pastor of the church at Siloam Springs, of which Mr. Morris is q member, at the time of his conviction, and has worked 1 hard for his pardoning. The letter written to Governor Donaghey re- gently by Rev. Mr Sellc in part is as i follows:
 By virtue of bis official relation to the bank MT. Morris is guilty aS charged; any court would have COZ vcted him. The peoples money was there; it disappeared; the dignity of the law demands that those in charg pay the penalties for such violations when they occur. That is the end Of the law. You, however, in your off cal relation to MT. Morris can ta&o 1 stances by which he was surrounded at the time of the bank failure, as well as his physical and mentai con dition at the present time.
 Mfr Morris was at the head of the Bank of $ Sloam Springs for period 1 of 30 years, almost a generation, al> thirty years, almost a generation, and as such held the confidence and re- spect of the people q. ine town in which he lived and conducted his busi- ness, and also of the surrounding community and in fact of a large part or northwest Arkansas in a most re- markahle way
 Several yearts ago MT. Morris asked the board of directors to, re- lieve him of the responsibility of the management of the bank on account of his age and increasing infirmaties but because of his well known charac- ter and wide influence and the confi- dence in which he was held, not only by the board of directors, but by the general public as well, they refused to release him.
 "Mr. Morris has done all that he could do for the people whose money was lost in his bank. He has given the accumulations of his lifetime, save a homestead, which have been sold and the proceeds divided among the depositors.
 ''Were he young man with his life before him and his record to make it would be different propositions but his life has been lived, his record has been made and he stands by his oper grave.
 This appeal is not made at he re- quest or suggestion of MT. Morris O. Mrs. Morris, or any of their friends It is done wholly on my own account without single suggestion from any one. Having been MT. Norris pastol at the time when the great crasI came which was utterly imposs,b bl, for him to prevent, and knowing hin as I do, make this appeal with tn feeling that no one can possibly b harmed in any way by his release an he can be permitted to return. to nl home and end his days as citizcl of the Stsae, for whose people he ha done so much, which, in my opinion he most richly deserves"
 Mir Morris will remain in this cit , as the guest of Rev. MT. Selle unt
 his relatives from 6iloam Spring !, who have been nhtified of the actio taken by the governor arrive. and the n he will return to his home in Siloa, Springs.
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