Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1914-12-04
WOULD Open JAIL'S
DOORS TO Webster
Prominent Rhode Island
Residents, Including Gov
ernor, Urge Pardon
BOARD WRITES ABOUT
GOV. MILLER'S ACTION

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.
DOVER, Del, Dec. AFTER hear
ing on an application for a pardon for
Arthur G. Webster burglar, who escap-
ed eighteen years ago and was recon-
mitted to the New Castle county work
house recently to finish his sentence,
the Board of Pardons deferred action ON
the application until December Is. when
special meeting will be held
Lieutenant Governor Colen Ferguson,
State Treasurer C. A. Hastings and
state Auditor w. p. Prettyman, who
had joined in recommending a pardon
for William NJ Boyer of Smyrna which
pardon the governor refused to grant,
late yesterday issued statement in
which they expressed regret that the
governor in declining the pardon "set
aside the presidents hertofor controll-
ing the exercise of executive clemency
in our State"
Leonard E. Wales, Of Wilmington,
represented Webster before the board.
Webster, it will be recalled. was sen.
fenced more than 20 years ago for rob
bing the Banning residence in Whining
ton. He escaped from New Castle iail.
and was arrested and served a sentence
ON another charge in Rhode Island. His
term expired early this year and he was
turned over to the Delaware authorities
and sentenced TO serve out his term and
an added Imprisonment for jail break
ing
Mr.. Wales submitted recommends
tons and letters claiming Webster's
reformation, including letters from
the Governor of Rhode Island the
warden and deputy of the
/ Rhode Island State Prison. the chan
lain of the prison and many promi
nent business men of Providence. one
in particular showing where a lucra-
tive and responsible position is await
ing Webster should be receive a par
don IN Delaware and return to Rhode
Island. Samples of his handiwork and
craftsmanship while in prison were
shown, demonstrating his ability as
a mechanic and artist.
Mrs. Brown, a wealthy woman of
Rhode Island. who appeared before
the board in behalf of Webster, spoke
highly of his character and attain
ments and gave the board to under
stand that his pardon in Rhode Island
was not secured at his own instance.
but at her instance, after fully salts
Tying herself of his reformation. Mrs.
Brown has offered Webster and his
mother the use of her own home I'M
I'll they secure one of their own.
should he be freed.
Lieutenant Governor Ferguson
president of the board. presented a
| letter received by him from Governor
Miller relative to the recommendation
by the board in October for a pardon
for William NJ Boyer, of Smyrna. in
which the. Governor stated that he de-
clined to grant a pardon TO Boyer,
who served two months for passing
and uttering an instrument in writing.
A pardon would restore his citizen
ship.
While no action was taken by the
board on the Governors letter other
than having it filed. late yesterday af-
ternoon the three members of the
mended the pardon-Lieutenan Gov
ernor Ferguson, State Treasurer Hast
ings and State Auditor Prettyman-
met and discussed the Governors ac-
ton. Refusal to grant a pardon rec
commended by the board is un-
precedented in this State since the
Board of Pardons has existed under
the new State Constitution, il is
claimed. After considering the Gov
ernor's letter the following letter was
sent to the Governor, signed by
Messrs. Ferguson, Hastings and Pref
! lyman:
"Dover, Del. December g. 1914
"Hon. Charles r. Miller,
Governor of the State of Delaware,
"Dover, Delaware.
"Dear Sir: In the notice given us OF
your refusal to pardon William NJ. Boyer
your letter dated November 20, 1914.
gives as a reason for declining to pardon
the following only;
"After a careful consideration of
all the facts and circumstances
bearing upon this case. ] am forced
TO the conclusion that the best in
terests of the State will be served
by my declining to accept the rec
ommendation of the Board of Par
dons. and therefore refuse to grant
pardon to said William NJ. Boyer"
of the best interests of the State a"e
served by your declining TO accept the
recommendations of the Board of Par
dons, then said board has lost its useful
ness and should be abolished.
1--WE believe the pardoning power is
not naturally nor necessarily an exeeu-
tive function, but by the Constitution Of