The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-03-13

RALEIGH, March l3.-One sin Of
omission for which the recent legisla-
ture is answerable consists of it's fail
ure to create a State Board Of Pardons.
It should have been done years and
years ago and until that duty is attend
ed to the public and press will continue |
to unfavorably criticise many actions
alone with the power.
For that reason, if there were no
other, the Governor should be- a warm |
advocate Of the change, yet the subject
was not even mentioned. An addition ,,
al reason for the change is found in the
great proportion. Of the time the Chief
Executive taken up in the consideration
and disposal Of the numerous applica-
tions for executive clemency-and till
another and more potent argument in
favor Of pardon board is the self evi-
dent fact that no one person ought to
be vested with this authority and pow
er-to the exclusion of all the rest of
the world
lam prompted to make this reference
to the subject at this time because of
the criticism, made public in some Of
the. daily papers, Of Gov. Beckett s ac-
tiion in the case Of MfneAst the Leuoiss
county convict guard, convicted by a
jury Of cruelty and inhumanely whip
ping a convict and sentenced by Judge
Bond to years imprisonment jail,
and who gets off with $25.OO fine by
the Governor s commutation. - The
recent exposure Of wholesale crueltios
by this very class of men, revealed
through the legislative investigation
committee, left the public in no mood
for "clemency' to such culprits SO
soon.
AS [ have just stated, the subject
Of board Of pardons was not mention
ed during the session Of the legislature
just adjourned, either in nthe Governors
messages to that body or by the law
makers Of their own initiative, which
is strange, for there has been consider
able discussion Of the question in pre-
ceeding years.
Gov. Craig pardoned several men who
were proven to be innocent Of the
crimes Of which they were convicted
and already Gov. Beckett Gin office on
ly two months) has pardoned at least
one innocent man. Thus it is seen how
important it is that applications, how
ever numerous, should always be care
fully considered-and they consume too
much of the time Of the governor that
ought to be devoted to other matters
/ have no word Of censure for any
governor who is disposed to be merciful
I commend him for it, and l hope we
will never elevate to that office heart
less and unmerciful man.
[ take no stock in the attacks on any
governor sentimentality or kind
heartedness and mcrciful disposition
were expelled some Of their critics
might be petitioning for pardon some
I day in future-but the action Of Gov
Beckett in the case under consideration
was certainly ill-timed, in the public
mind if no unjustifed by the whole evi-
! dence. If the commutation OF Minch-
/ er s sentence mot day Of which has
| he vet servedD been made before the
/ legislature adjourned, there might have
! been a Board Of Pardons by this time.
Let us hope the lawmakers will he a
4 live to the subject next time.
Double Barrel Office Holders
According to the terms Of a measure
which Senator Person of Franklin got
through the legislature, the State Ref
erence Librarian is charged with the
duty Of issuing "bluebook - to the
end that the men and women carried
on the State payroll may be made
to appear and the salaries paid each of
them.
| Senator Person thinks and so do a lot
Of others, that there is and has long
i been. too much double barrel Office hold