Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-08-31

Ine August meeting or the Governor
and Executive Council continued its
August session Wednesday morning,
being continued from the previous
Tuesday evening. Governor Curtis,
Councillors Scates, Simmons, Cunning
ham, Hudson and Burnham being
present. together with Secretary of
State J. E. Bunker and Messenger
George W. Leadbetter.
Two pardon hearings were given.
both being tabled, for investigation,
until the Councils September meeting.
They were the cases of VIM. P. Sew
egny of Wells Beach for rape and
John Belden or Lasage for forgery.
The pardon case of Nelson Cochran of
Houlton was postponed to the Septem-
ber meeting, because of non-appear-
ance Of counsel.
The usual number of orders was
passed and the Council adjourned to
meet in regular session at P. NJ,
Tuesday. Sept. &C.
The Pardon Hearings.
The morning session opened with
the confirma ton of nominations.
which was quickly attended to and
the matter of pardons was taken up.
The first was on the petition Of VIM.
P. Sevegny Of Wells Beach, now serv-
ing a 5 to 10 years sentence in State
prison for rape on Clara Mae Harris,
aged 10 years, on July 81. 1914 at Wells
Beach. Attorneys VIM. S. Matthews
of South Berwick and l.. B. SWEET of
Sanford appeared for the petitioner.
Mr.. Matthews reviewed the circum-
stances and evidence at the trial,
claiming that the young man was the
victim of miscarriage of justice. Sew
egny was operating an auto and took
two girls and two young men on
Joy ride. An offence may have been
committed, but not the crime charged.
No force, no violence used, and girls
part in affair was voluntary. Mr..
SWEET presented large number Of Pc
titions from prominent men,. acquaint-
ed with parties and circumstances and
agreeing that Sevsgny has been su-
fficiently punished. Numerous letters
endorsed the petition, including
strong one from the prosecuting at
torney, who, after investigation since
the trial, thinks Sevegny punished
enough.
Nelson Hearing Postponed.
No one appeared in the case of Nelson
of Caribou, serving a year in Houlton
Jail for breaking and entering and steal
ing from the store of Geo sullivan at
Caribou, on Feb. %. 1915, two boxes of
candy, valued at 81 each. He first plead
ed not guilty, and later retracted and
pleaded guilty. The case was tabled until
the next meeting of the Governor and
Council.
John Beden Hearing.
Arthur l.. I.ittlefeld of Rockland ap-
peared counsel in the Belden pardon
case, the next one taken up. Mr.. Little
field stated that John Belden or John B.
Lasage was sentenced for four years for
forgery from Androscoggin county. He
stated that no money was obtained on
the forged check and that his client was
indicted for forgery rather than the pass
ing of the check. Chief Justice Savage
gave as reason for the long sentence
that Belden or Lasage was fugitive
from Justice and had attempted assault
upon officers. He explained that IN MIN
nesota Lasage had forged a check to aid
him in the numbering business. Letters
were presented from residents of his
former home town in Minnesota. Grand
Marie. petitioning for pardon FOR La
sage Other statements were presented
declaring that no attempt would be maoe
to prosecute him for the Minnesota Oh
fense. Among those asking for his par
don was the man whose name was
forged upon the note transaction ana
the sheriff of his home county. A letter
was read from a man in Hiram' unoer
whom Lasage worked after coming 10
Maine, stating that he was a good man
to work and never used liquor.
He presented evidence that Belden was
a model prisoner while awaiting trial at
the Androscoggin jail and that Belden
had nothing to do with an attempt to as
sault the iail guard at Auburn ana 'na'
!
hold up his bed.
Chaplain F.. V Allen says Beiden mas
been a model prisoner and thinks MIN i
victim Of circumstances ana suricieh'is
punished. DR.. Heald, prison phEs'ciail'
reports that Belden shows tuoercuiar III
lection at apex of right lung ana release
might affect a cure. Has served aoou'
!, years for crime through wh'ch none
was injured. sentenced under a mlsappre-
hension and punished enough
The Governor and Council In executive
session tabled both the sevegny ano
Be,den cases until the Sept. 70 meet'hs
70 allow investigation OF each.
Harry Avery Asks Pardon
A petition for pardon has been received
from Harry Avery Of Augusta VINO Is