Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-10-29
JEHTUn u11LuIE5
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 indiscriminate petitioning
for pardons, comutations, paroles and
50 on, and will consider hereafter no
petition that has been passed upon
bv former Governor Brown within
twelve months of its proposed reopen
ing save in extremely exceptional
and extraordinary cases.
The Governor has been almost
swamped 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 applicaS
lions. concerning matters all the way
from simple larceny to red handed
murder.
Hereafter any case that has been
up before Governor Brown within
Twelve HIOIitllS VI us PtNeSSil6bAott ~
Governor Slaton will be peremptor-
lily dismissed
The present Governor has great
faith in the fairness, ability and COM
mon sense of his immediate predeces-
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
present administration, therefore, 70
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.
OF course, in cases involving alb
solutely and honestly discovered new
evidence, extreme physical disabili-
ty, and the like, exceptions may be
made But even then the showing
must be exact. definite and convinc-
ing Immediately, both to the Prison
commission and the Executive.
The matter Of clemency is one of
the most trying, as well as one of the
most responsible prerogatiVes resting
within the arbitrary pleasure of the
Governor" said Governor Slaton.
1T should not, and SO long as ]
am Governor shall not, be exercised
lightly; and 1t ought not to be asked
lightly.
II wish to give every man and
every matter coming before me 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
1V annie and unless the petitioner
knows in his heart that clemency is
honestly and sincerely in ordsr.
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 All
order concerning it, 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, I could not make this
rule absolutely ironclad, but it shall
be 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
1t
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"