The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-10-13
HIS PLEA FOR MERCY.
Geo. Newton Made 1t in Vain for
s. j. HalIowen.

At the request of S. J. Hallowell,
the old man who was recently re-
fused a parole before Police Judge
Huron. George y. Newton, 27S Oak
land avenue, made the following plea
for c1emency to the court:
May it please the honorab BILE court.
have been asked by this young man,
the son of the aged prisoner here, to
speak in his behalf. Why am asked
to do this, I do not Know. as I am
neither lawyer. orator nor Influential
citizen.
The only remaining possible rea-
son is, that he is my friend, and as
such with your forbearance. I will
ask you TO give me for few min
utes your attention.
II have known this young man in
timateIy for about four years. He
has made good financially and as
citizen, is happily married and has
been blessed with two beautiful chill
dren, both girls, who are being raised
in a Christian way by his estir1a Bile
wife.
Twice daily. she prepares meals
for this old man and the son brings
them here.
They feel deeply the humiliation
and disgrace of having this father
and grandfather in Jail At no time
have 1 heard one word of complaint
against the court for his conviction
and punishment, although the Sc
dent
But now, as nearly sixty days
have passed since his incarceration,
twice as long as the sentence usually
given, we now most respectfully re-
quest a parole.
Mr.. Hallowell. Jr.. will give the
assurance that his physical wants will
be provided for and gives equal as
surance that upon the first act in VIC
Iation of this parole, he will report
n Ia
der of the sentence, and his word
goes.
1T is now generally conceded that
the object of punishment of offend
ers against the law is to reform the
offender. and protect society 1t is
also unanimously conceded by crini-
biologists that excessive and unusual
punishments do not deter crime, but
that rather as soon as the oftender
arrives at proper realization of his
wrongdoing and sincerely expresses
his sorrow for so doing. more good
can be accomplished by parole under
surveillance, than by further 1ncdr-
ceration in Jail. This expression this
thirty days a go by letter and today, in
the presence OF these spectators.
mostly women, he has Inundated
himself nearly to kneeling on the
liberty. and you would never hear of
his offending again That he sees
where he was wrong and is sorry
so, not complaining of his treat
ment not offering excuse or apology
for his acts, but basIng the appeal
wholly on cIemency and mercy, we
ask for a parole
There is one other plea which
would offer at this time. which should
have careful consid Grafton There is
a prayer which we all learned in
childhood. which 1 am sure. both
Yourself and these women who have
interested themselves in this case. re
peat daily. beginning: Our Father
which art in Heaven. and which says
trespasses as we forgive them that
clause. the meaning of which is so
generally overlooked. that turns this
prayer when unworthily spoken, into
a curse
We certainly cannot expect to OBJ
tain mercy. unless we are merciful
And SO, because of the hope that our
debts may be forgiven. let US be care
full to forgive our debtors-when they
coutrlteIy ask forgiveness Thanking
you for permitting me to speak for
this friendless, old man, may we not
hope for parole - n -
Ir relating tibet story to the editor
of the state Journal. Mr.. Newton de-
cIared:
AT this point 1 paused and looked
at the judge for encouragement, but
locked into a face of stone. Turning
to the women seated, before him, I