The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-18
4 PLACE FOR THE VETO.


Delegates Saturday evening. The
same bill. with MIR. Oliver as patron
appeared on the House calendar as
No. a97.
Eu., however introduced and urged.
this bill places IN the hands OF the
state Pen!tentiary Board almos, as
much power as is vested by tho Con-
stitution and laws In the Governor and
the courts Tho changes made BY this
law in the present parole statute are
textually very slight, but IN effect arc
most important
Heretofore. our readers we'll rsnem-
ber. tho pcnitcntiary. board has had
power TO parole any prisoner who has
served one-hslf OF his term with good
Behavior. The amendment is the adj
dillon Of eight very significant words,
making tho section read:
whenever st appears TO the board OF
directors Of the pcnitentiary that 4
prisoner in this institution, who was
sentenced 90 tho penitcntiary for any
crime, has served out half OF his term
Of imprisonment for which he was
sentenced. or has served three years
az said term Gf he has obcyed the
rules. etc. -. said board may. at its
discretion, parole him during the re-
mander Of his term of sentence upon
such terms and conditions as it may
What does this mean?
That after n man has boon duly son
temcod TO the pcnitcntlary for any
crime Short OF one carrying the death
penalty or life Imprisonment, tho pen
itcnt!ary bonrd is at liberty to parole
him, provided only that his record is
clear.
That iury may hesitate TO convict
man OF nrst-deEree murder and may
send him to prison for eighteen years,
but that the pcnitcn:iary board are q.
liberty To give him his freedom on pa
role after three years.
That tho court OF original turisdic>
tion and the appellate court may re-
view the case or any man sentenced for
= term less than life, and may find tho
verdict a proper one. but that the fve
members OF the pcnitentiary board are
10 upset II they desire. tho findings OF
the courts ut tho end OF three years.
That the Governor OF tho Common
wealth, authorized by the Constitution
90 grant pardops, may refuse to inter
ferc in the case, but that the appointccs
OF the Governor or Of his predecessor
nave authority, after three years, to
overruie him and TO set free a man
whom the Governor believes TO deserve
tho sentence given linn.
That five men, named by the Gov
crnor. responsible only to him and not
answorahle 10 the people. are given
the power 20 open the pcritentlary, at
the end OF three years OF good con-
duct, FOR any man they wish for any
reason TO ilberate.
Tho Times Dispatch believes in tho
indeterminate SENTENCE. tho system Of
parole and in pumisi.nant only for
reformation or for The protection of
society. ANY other view OF penal servi-
tCde s. 10 oul mind barbarous and re
ucllcnt But we cannot conceive how
thc Genera! Assembly. liz thoughtless
moment; vcstcd IN the hands Of the
ucnitcnttary board powers Of 50 ire
mendous magnitude 1t is one thing
TO say that u man who has served nine
years OF an cighteen-yea term can
10 plrolcd FOR good conduct: ii IS y
very different thing 20 say that man
'vno has Just missed tic electric chair.
ana has boon refused rehcarlng by
mo courts and n pardon by tho Gov
"rnor shall be set free By the penitcn-
tiary boarh-mcn whom tho people can
not hoid accountable for their acts.
II THIS law were approved by the
Governor. & would ves, In the poni-