The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1908-current, 1913-02-24
DUHAGHEYS ACT !
PRAISED BY MANY
LETTERS APPROVING THE
WHOLESALE PARDONING OF
CONVIcTS POUR INTO
OFFICE.
FROM Prominent PEOPLE
Governor Commended for Having
Courage to Strike Vital Blow at
Convict Lease System.

In one day, in an effort to effectually
break up the convict lease system in
Arkansas, gave a good indication OF
the sensation which Governor Dona-
,gheys action created throughout the
entire country.
Most of the letters received by Gov
ernor Donaghey came from Arkansas
people but many letters and kilograms
came from other states, large num-
Der from persons of national promi-
hence.
A number of letters came from mem-
bers of the General Assembly who
pledged themselves to an effort to re-
move the conditions which were re-
sponsible for the governors act.
Most Of those who have expressed
their opinions in letters and kilograms
TO Governor Donaghey have taken the
position that his action requires great
moral courage and have commended
him for taking a decisive step toward
the abolition of a great wrong in the
face of what he knew would be great
adverse criticism of his act.
T. ]. Brogan,. secretary of the Shelby
county, Miss, jury commissioners, in
a letter to the governor, declares that
Siberian prison methods should have
no recognition in intelligent and pro.
gressive America The infliction OF
punishment to unfortunate offenders,
30 merciless in it's execution" he says,
Leads us In many instances to believe
that the penalties administered in the
medieval dark ages are still alive and
In operation, hanging on the verge of
twentieth century civilization. Be as
sured that, regardless of adverse criti-
cism, by this generous act, you are the
great representative of all that is
good and best in the hearts of man
live as the great exponent of one of
the greatest human virtues, mercy"
E. Stagg Within, general secretary
of the National Committee on Prison
Labor wrote:
Let me congratulate you upon your
definite action in the abolition of the
convict leases following the meeting
at Richmond. Your action more than
anything else will tend to center the
attention of the action upon the need
of prison reforms and go far to effect
the final abolition of the present slave
system"
Eugene V. Debs, Socialist nominee
for president in the recent national
campaign, wrote the governor as fol-
lows: 1.-THE human ieeches and graft
ers, who prey upon the misfortunes
and misery Of their fellow beings, will
no doubt condemn your action, but
thing about the convict lease system
will approve your action and admire
the spirit which prompted It,"
Kate Barnard, commissioner of
charities of Oklahoma wired the gov
ernor from New York, as follows:
THE convict lease system perpetu-
ates human slavery and is accompani
ed by cruelties that would shame the
inquisition. | therefore congratulate
you upon releasing helpless men from
It. Those who criticise you cannot
honestly say the Lords prayer"
Bishop w. M. Brown, for years Epis-
copal bishop of Arkansas wrote from
Gallon, O., az follows: II honor you,
as I believe all right-thinking people
must, for the stand that you have TAX
en- against the lease system, and for
this action in support of it."
Judge Walter Malone, distinguished
jurist of Memphis, wrote as follows:
I'VE are forever execrating the Rus
SLAMS, when the conditions in prisons
all over the South are worse than
those of Siberia. We are eternally de-
nouncing the Turks, when the atroci
ties right here under our own noses are
worse than those in Turkey. The
pardoning power in many cases has
been turned into a political lever, and
made in many instances source of
unholy gain to vulture-like pardon at
torneys. But in your case the pardon
is granted in the name of humanity,
Christ. The people require brave
outspoken man like you to wake them
up. They are lethargic, and must be
reused to the enormity of the evil about
us. Yes, they must, they must be rous-
ed. If it is necessary to open their
eyes that every man in prison be re-
leased, then, in Gods name, open all
the doors!"
Richard M. Hurd, member of the
Prison Association of New York, said:
Il have for years felt that this sys-
tenn should be abolished throughout
the United States, and welcome such
telling blow as you have struck In
this manner"
Charles f. Crane. an attorney OF
Shreveport, La, writes as follows:
1.-THE world needs men of your stami-
ma and kind Men who can see and