Omaha daily bee., 1912-04-11
WORK OF THE PAROLE BOARD
John 0. Yeiser Discusses ii with
Judge Il. D. Travis.
IT MEANS TO THE CONVICT
Court No Longer Has Power of
Determining Duration of Sem
tenee, as Law Give. that
to the Board.

Judge H. d. Travis OF the district court
for the Second judicial district and John
o. Yeiser Of the State Board Of Psrdons
and Paroles have exchanged letters in
connection with a case that is before the
board for consideration. In compliance
with the law Mr.. Yeiser asked Judge
Travis for his opinion as to the merits
of the application. and in return got the
following:
''PLATTSMoUTH. Neb.. April S, 1915
John o. Yeiser. Omaha: Dear sir-Your
letter of March .. relative to p. J. Fluke
No. $500. sentenced from Nebraska City
for two years for burglary. at hand. In
reply l have to say that l know nothing
about the man. ! gave him two years.
and know of no reason why he should
not serve his time. l hope you will not
turn any more criminals loose In this dis
trict until their terms expire. l cannot
approve Of what the board has done so
far in .his district in turning loose con.
victs. OF course. suppose II makes no
difference to you what think. Yours
truly, II. d. TRAVIS"
Mr.. Yei.er's Reply.
To this letter Mr.. Yeiser has replied at
some length. saying among other things:
We sometimes make mistakes-all Of
ficials do-even judges confess their err
rors. The legislature required Of judges
sentences for the maximum term and
directed this board to do the conditional
shortening. 1t probably considered tina.
ina NH l,,f.y a.
clude a great deal Of evidence proper 10
be considered on determining length Of
sentences. because improper on a trial |
for acaulttsl or conviction. are not as |
well informed and qualified to. on the |
heels OF a conviction. shorten the maxi |
mum punishment by sentencing then. as
a board under the supervision of the gov
ernor could qualify itself to grant
parole later on.
Give the BOY n Chance.
rs Il not better that some erring young
man should be paroled after a minimum
term, where he knows every act is
and he may be recalled IL his
and conduct becomes even sus-
picious? Does not such care teach him
10 find excuses TO decline offers to drink
Or carouse and to cultivate an indepen-
fence he neysr knew how to assert pre-
vious to this schooling?
This board does not look upon young
convict az hopeless where we can see
sufficient good in him to express a con-
fidence to encourage him 10 be a good
citizen after he has had what should be
sufficient punishment for the offense and
he good OF society. Shall we not do all
we can to properly punish and yet in
spire hope and confidence and teach him
principles Of justice and fairness which
will enable him TO understand the prin-
ciples that II is easy TO do right and
hard to do wrong and lead him TO
better life where this Is possible7
Il assure you that I will always re-
spect your official position even to the
extent Of not advising you that you
should take certain cases from the jury.
which would be as improper In me as It
has been improper for you TO advise me
In your letter. But you may depend upon
Il, that will do my duty in all matters
coming before me without fear OF you
,r any other official or other living man,
md will trust you to advise this board
concerning any man you have
whenever We have occasion TO
'eouest the information this law makes
your duty TO furnish the board"