The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-06-03
BICkF0RD
GRANTED
A PARDON

Bismarck, June Sc. L. Bickford,
convicted Of the crime of embezzle-
ment and sentenced to serve an inde-
terminate sentence of from one to
three years in the penitentiary, was
pardoned yesterday. His application
came before the board of pardons in
the forenoon shortly before adjourn
ment. Geo. H. Phelps of Bowbells ap-
peared as the attorney for Bickford
The application was backed up with
a great number of petitions, signed by
citizens in different parts Of the state.
When the board adjourned it ad-
journed to meet at the warden's Of
flee in the penitentiary in the after
noon.
When the board reconvened, E.
Smith Peterson of Park River was
about thirty minutes late in arriving,
on account of an automobile going
wrong on the way out. In the mean
time the other four members of the
board had considered the Bickford
case and agreed upon a pardon.
Peterson Hangs Out.
Upon the arrival of Mr.. Smith Pet
erson, the case was re-opened and a
very thorough Aiscusslon.> lad, The
four members, urged in behalf Of the
pardon that it would be a great hard
ship to the wife and son if BickfOrd
was compelled to serve time. On the
other hand 1t was urged by Mr.. Smith
Peterson, that it was q very dangerous
precedent to establish, if a pardon was
granted, and that he for one wished
to put his seal of disapproval upon
a public official who unlawfully med
died with public funds, using them
for private profit and also urged that
Mr.. Bickford happened to have rich
and influential friends, who had come
to his rescue and paid back the prin-
cipal of the sum embezzled, but this
did not in the least .detract from the
criminality Of the act, and therefore
there was no reason for the pardon.
He also said that if a pardon was
granted in this city, it would mean a
notice to public officials that ever If
they meddle with public funds unlaw-
fully, they can safely do so and keep
their cases pending in court, by ap-
peals and other methods, for q couple
Of years and then let the board Of
pardons come to the rescue.
Hands In Resignation.
Mr.. Smith Peterson expressed his
opinion that he thought the other four
members of the board were perfectly
sincere and honest in their views in
the matter. and not wishing to be a
stumbling block in the way Of Mr..
Btckford's pardon, which could only
be granted by the unanimous vote of
all five members Of the board, Mr..
Peterson handed to Governor Hanna
his resignation in the following Ian
guage, towit:
Text of Reasons.
bismarck, June 2, 1914-To Hon.
i. B. Hanna, governor:
Dear and Honorable Sir: AS four
members Of the state board of par
dons seem to favor the pardon Of G.
L. Bickford, former state treasurer,
convicted of the crime of embezzle-
ment, and while cannot conscien-
tiously see my way clear to vote for
his pardon, for reasons which to my
mind are unsurmountable, but as I
may be mistaken in my views Of the
matter, and not wishing to put my
opinion against the opinion of the
other four members of the board;
'T hereby respectfully tender to you
my resignation as a member of the
board, to take effect at once, and as
sure you that personally I entertain
as high an opinion of you and other
members of the board as before. Yours
very respectfully. E. Smith Peterson"
Which resignation was accepted by
the governor and thereupon the four
remaining members of the board
granted the pardon to Mr.. Bickford.
Stands for Hanna.
Mr.. Smith Peterson declares that he
is still for Governor Hanna and pre-
diets his denomination by safe plur-
ality.