The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1914-03-20
THE 6. 6. SMITH PARDON
Gov. Brewer Commended by the State
Press for His Action.

Governor Brewer has pardoned C.
C. Smith, on the ground of physical
disability, and that his confinement
might result In his death. Gov. Brew
er's motives have been v~ariously con-
strued, but we do not believe in '1ook-
ing a gift horse in the mouth" What
ever his motive, Gov. Brewers act will
meet with the approval of a vast ma
jority of the people of Mississippi
Yazoo City Sentinel.
Gov. Brewer has been generally COM
mended by the press and people for
committing the penitentiary sentence of
C. C. Smith to a five hundred dollar
fine. The Lieutenant Governor felt
called upon to charge the Governor
with having issued the Communication of
the sentence for political reasons, but
he stands practically alone in his criti-
cism of the governors action in the
matter. -Greenville Democrat.
The act of Gov. Brewer in ~pardoning
C. C. Smith will be Endorsed by all peo-
pie who believe in "tempering mercy
with justice. "-Panola Democrat.
Speaker Quinn said it took a great
big man to grant that Communication of
sentence, and spoke of the governors
act in terms of commentator and
praise. C. C. Smith appreciated the
Communication and thanked the governor
like a man. --Natchez News.
Perhaps the strongest and most pow
erful political influence in the state was
brought to bear upon Gov. Brewer for
the pardon of c. c. Smith, but we be-
lieve it had small weight with Gov.
Brewer. We think the turning point
in Smiths favor was the statements of
creditable physicians that Smith was q
victim of incipient tuberculosis, and
that close confinement in prison would
eventually prove fatal. Upon this
showing the governor determined to
pardon Smith regardless of the com
mendation of some and the censure of
others. Under Gov. Brewers admins
tration we have noticed that in every
emergency he has proved himself the
man for the occasion, without regard
to favorable or unfavorable criticism.
The facts as represented to the gov
ernor being true, which we do not doubt,
to the prisoner and his fellow-inmates,
to place Mr.. Smith in the penitentiary
with them. The object of the law /!
not to punish the criminal. Laws arr
made for the protection of society, anC
Smiths character does not justify
belief that society will suffer through
his escape from the penitentiary. And
even if the sole object of the law wa!
to infiict punishment on its v~iolator, c
C. Smith has suffered all the humilia
ton and disgrace possible. He has los
his official position, his political pres
tige has vanished and he is today a ma
feeble in.body and broken in spirit: =.
The pardon at least c~onclusivel.
proves that in his anti. graft crusade il
penitentisry affairs the governor ha
not been actuated by a spirit of petit
spite or personal revenge. In view o
the bitter abuse that has been heape
upon him by Mississippi's dominant pc
litical faction for this prosecution, tn
governor has shown a m~agnanimou
spirit that ought to be demoralizing
some of his enimes. -Winona Times.
Under all the circumstances, the Gov
ernor is to be sincerely commended TO
his clemency, and MIR. Smith and hi
family are to be congratulated for the
escape from the terrible calamity an
irreparable injury which was dimpent
ing and which so nearly overlook Their
-Vicksburg Post.
Governor Brewers stand for RICH
eousness will be commended by ever
right thinking and honest person with
the state, Moss Point Advertiser.
ra,,e erOMANA DEMEnV