The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1913-05-13
CLEMENCY EXTENDED
BY GOVERNOR BLEASE
SUMMARY OF REASONS MOVING
THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE.
Two PardOnS And Two Paroles Grant.
ed.-Three Defendants White,
One Negro.
Special to The Herald and News.

Special to The Herald and News.
Columbia, May 2.eGovernor Blease
on Friday afternoon and Saturday ex-
tended executive clemency in four
cases-granting pardons in two and
paroles in two Three Of the defen-
dants are white and one colored.
c. w. Lee, white, convicted at the
February, 1913, term of court for Dar
lington county, of obtaining signatures
on promissory note by false pretenses,
and sentenced to pay fine of two
hundred dollars and to serve upon
the public works for six months, was
granted a pardon. Petition was pre-
sented by the Hon Josh P Kirven and
Mr. B. L. Outlaw The affidavit of the
defendants attorney, Geo. H. Edwards,
was to the effect that up to the very
moment of the trial propositions were
made to the defendant and his attor-
ney by the prosecuting witness, NJ. S.
McKinnon and his ettorney to with
draw the indictment and to have a
nolle prosequi entered upon the pay
ment by defendant of 1925. The af-
idavit was further that defendant ad-
mitted the debt and signifed his in
tention to pay the same, but was un-
able to do so on account of serious
illness and hospital expenses AID
ether m3sfortunes he had suffered
since giving the note The affidavit
deals further with the proof in the
case. In addition to the affidavit, the
testimony of NJ. S. McKinnon, the pro-
secutor in the case, and other testi-
mony was presented. In granting the
pardon, Governor Blease said: From
reading the testimony, it is evidently
clear that the affidavit made by Mr..
Edwards is absolutely true; and, in
my opinion, this was simply a crini-
nal prosecution to either frighten this
man into paying civil debt, or to
force him to pay it rather than to be
prosecuted; and, having made it a
rule since | have been governor to
absolutely refuse to allow the criminal
courts to be made collecting bureaus,
and having called the matter to the
attention of the general assembly, and,
in addition to this. having declined
acquisitions whenever it appeared that
they were to be used for such pur-
poses, and in view of the afidavits
hrewith submitted, the defendant is
hereby pardoned.'
Will Mcdonald, white, convicted in
York county in 1905 of robbery, was
pardoned to restore citizenship. having
already served the sentence, some time
ago, Of two years and six months i'm
posd upon him. The pardon was
strongly recommended by the board
of pardons, upon the recommendation
of prominent officials and citizens. The
petitioner has recently been appoint
ed a constable in York county, and
desired pardon in order to perform his
duties as such.
Floyd Miller, colored, convicted at
the October, 1909, term of court for
Lancaster, of burglary and larceny,
and sentenced to serve seven years,
was granted a parole during good be-
havior. Senator T. J. Strait, of Lam
caster, who is praeticing physician,
submitted a certificate to the effect
that the defendant, who was on the
chain gang. was suffering from a SER
ious kidney affection. and calling at
tention to the fact that the petition
was signed by the foreman of the
grand jury, probate judge, clerk OF
court, and other prominent officials
and citizens, including practically the
entire citizenship of Van Wyck, at
which place the burglary was COM
mitted. Dr.. Strait certified that the
defendant was incapacitated for any
thing like arduous labor. The prose-
cutor in the case. whose store was bur-
glarized, wrote a personal letter say
ing that in view Of the four years al
ready served and t]>, physical condi-
ton Of the defendant, he thought the
punishment had been sufficient and
would be glad to see a pardon grant
ed.
Dan Risher, white, convicted at the