Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-10-28
SLATON CHECKS
PARDON PLEA
ONRUSH
Governor VIII Not Review Cases
Which Were Recently De-
cided by Predecessor,

governor Slaton overwhelmed with
Applications of all sorts for eXecu-
tive clemency, has set his foot down
hard upon indiscrlminat petitionine
for pardons. comutations. paroles and
- on, and will consider hereafter no
petition that has been assed upon
nv former Governor Brown within
twelve months of its proposed reopen
ing. save in extremely exceptional
and extraordinary cases.
The Governor has been almost
svamped since he assumed the Chief
Magistracy OF the State by an avail
anche of applications for clemency.
He has tried in every way he could
think of politely to stem the on
rush, but with scant success thus far.
Every mail brings fresh applica-
tons, concerning matters all the way
from simple larceny to edhanded
murder
Hereafter any case that has been
M before Governor Brown within
twelve months of its presentation to
Governor Slaton will be peremptor-
lily dismissed.
The present Governor has great
faith in the fairness, ability and COM
mon sense of his immediate predeoes-
sor in office, and sees no reason why
he (Slaton) should review cases al
ready passed upon by Governor
Brown. 1t will be the policy of the
Il let - tinn thnrpfnrl IA
give full faith and credit to the find
ings of Governor Brown in all cases
hereafter coming up, and no atten-
ton whatever will be paid to cases
that have been ruled upon by the
former Governor within twelve
months.
Few Exceptions Made.
or course. in cases involving alb
solutely and honestly discovered new
evidence. extreme physical disabili-
tv. and the like, exceptions may be
made. But eyen then the showing
mast be exact. definite and convinc-
ing Immediately, both to the Prison
Commission and the Executive.
The matter of clemency is one OF
tine most trying, as we'll as one of the
most responsible prerogatives resting
within the arbitrary pleasure of the
N1DNbIllpI, Sdlu NJONtl EoldtOu.
1T should not, and so long as ]
am Governor shall not, be exercised
Lightly and it ought not to be asked
lightly.
~ wish to give every man and
every matter coming before me q fair
deal, and that l shall try to do, though
the heavens fall. But it is not right
TO call upon the Governor unless the
showing to be made is conscientious
ly ample, and unless the petitioner
knows in his heart that clemency is
honestly and sincerely in order.
IF, say, a case was presented TO
Governor Brown six or eight months
ago, and he, after careful analysis
and weighing of the facts, passed an
orGer concerning 1t, why should this
office now be asked to reopen the
case, when the showing to be made is
In no way different from the showing
made before Governor Brown?
Will Dismiss Petitions.
Hereafter. it shall be the policy
OF this office to dismiss applications
coming within the limits Of time set
up--twelve months of the rulings OF
the former Governor,
Necessarily, the clemency power
being arbitrary, l could not make this
rule absolutely ironclad but it shall
he as nearly ironclad as my sense of
duty and right can make it, and that
means it will re quire extraordinary
circumstances to make me vary from
it
Parties with petitions for clemen-
cy in their minds will do well to re-
member the FORGING rule. AS a mat
ter Of fact. it is rule, and here
after shall be an enforced rule of the
Governors office"