The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-08-27
PRESIDENT REFUSES :.
PARDON TO WARREN
He Violated the Prohibition Law,
Federal Court Imposed Penalty,
Executive Denied Oemency.

| r. X. Warren, of Hugo. Okla, must
serve a sentence imposed upon him
| by the United States court for viola
ton of the prohibition laws. This Is
! the decision OF President Wilson, who
| has lust recently refused to grant a
| pardon to Warren. This action OF
| President Wilson is in high keeping
with his strong appeal 10 the people
! of the United States TO observe the
laws of the country and remain true
to its noblest standards during these
parlous times. This decision of Pres
ident Wilson is both important and
| interesting from the fact that r. h.
! Warren Is a high political factor in
Oklahoma, and 1t is stated that there
never has been as much influence ex-
erted for the pardon of a liquor law
violator In this country as in the case
OF Warren.
Warren was arrested by a federal
officer, William Houston, son OF Gem
eral Sam Houston, when carrying sew
eral hundred bottles OF beer, in an
automobile, near midnight. from
! Texas to Hugo, Okla. for use at a
social gathering of young men. AT the
same time he was prosecuting attor-
ney for the county into which he was
delivering the beer and was then a
candidate for the legislature. He was
elected to the legislature and soon
thereafter convicted in the federal
court, from which he appealed to the
supreme court of the United States,
where the judgment against him was
affirmed. The members of the legis-
lature. without a dissenting vote petit
toned the president to pardon him.
Then followed an array of appeals for
his pardon such az have never been
presented in favor of any violator OF
the liquor laws.
Fortunately for the friends OF law
and order. the commissioner Of In
dian affairs, Cato Sells, is always re-
quested by the department of justice
to give the president his opinion as 10
whether or not applications for par
don, for crimes committed in Indian
country. should be granted. Commits
sioner Sells courageously and vigor-
ously opposed granting the pardon
taking the position that as prosecuting
attorney, sworn to enforce the law
/ Warren was even more guilty than a
private citizen committing the same
otfense, and that there was no pos
/ sible Justification for the mitigation OF
his sentence. The recommendation Of
! the commissioner was followed 10y the
i president. instead OF the multitude Of
/ appeals that came to him in behalf OF
| This incident is encouraging and in
! spring to officers and citizens who are
! fighting for law enforcement. 1t gives
/ 81 stronger confidence in the integrity
| and efficiency of our government and
! its officers 1t is In harmony with that
i splendid declaration of the president
| concerning riots and mobs
! Wayne r. Wheeler. general coun-
sci for the Anti Saloon League Of
America. who helped to secure tho
protest against Mr.. Warren pardon,
/ said
This case should teach the friends
Of law and order that II is their duty
not to embarrass faithful officers by
asking for unworthy pardons. but, on
the other hand. to help uphold the
hands Of the officers Of the law by en-
hcouraginE them to do right and
fsustain the majesty Of the law. Prac-
tically all OF the political influence OF
the state and some outside of the state
was brought to bear upon the presi-
dent for executive elemency few
citizens and officers stood for the right
in supporting Commissioner Sells re-
/ commendation to tho president. II
this public OFFICIAL had been pardoned
| because OF his political influence III
! would have hamstrung the work OF
! law enforcement not only in the In
dian country bat throughout the
/ United States and enforcement OF 10
cal, state or national prohibition would
! have been more difficult"