Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-04-15
COMMITTEE MAKES STRONG CASE
AGAINST GOVERNOR HARDING

victed and IL now under life sentence
that when the pardon of Rathhun was
granted Rathbun was out on bail, his
case pending on appeal TO the supreme
court.
"Was Fighting All the Time"
That IN the record kept by the
warden, Ernest Rathbun AT the time
of his entry to the penitentiary signed
u voluntary statement 20 the prison
authorities, again giving the details OF
the crime and SAID; she was lighting
US all the time
Second-That it is not shown that
any money was paid to the governor,
ing facts, which the house is entitled
to know;
That George II. clark, attorney OF
Ida Grove. did prior TO oct !, 1918,
propose TO William Rathhun, ST.,
father of Ernest Rathhun, to procure
for the latter a pardon stating to the
said William Rathbun. Sr, that 1t
would cost 5000 to get said pardon;
that William Rathhun, ST., and Will
liam Rathbun. Jr., have both testified
before this committee that Clark told
them the money was to be paid to the
governor.
The record shows that Clark was in
Des Moines in the early part of Sep
TENDER. 1918, and the governor testi-
fies il was in the latter half of
September that he. had his one and
only interview with Clark: that both
state that their only interview lasted
about fifteen minutes and ended with
the statement by the governor that no
consideration was ever given TO such
cases without recommendation from
the trial Judge and prosecuting attor-
ney: that on oct. I and ;, 1918, $4,000
was paid in currency at tNark's re-
quest by William Rathbun, Sr, 70
Clark as part OF said $1,000; that Clark
testihes that after his first interview
with the governor, he went home and
prepared the application, which is
dated Nov. 6, 1918; that thereafter, to-
wit. on Nov. II, 1918, Clark asked and
received from William Rathbun, Sr.,
81 600, all of which Rathbun testifies
was paid in currency at Clarks re-
quest. saying he was going to Dies
Moines TO get the pardon.
Gave No Receipt
The statement of Rathbun, Sr., as to
the money IS corroborated by the
banker who loaned him tine money on
his note, giving him the money in four
5000 packages Cf currency on Nov. Il.
Clark admits no receipt was given for
the money at time OF payment. After
receiving said money Clark left on
Nov. - for Des Moines to present the
said application to the governor
Third-That on his arrival in Des
Moines said Clark went to the COVER
nor's office on Nov. 10. 1918, found the
governor was IN Washington. and filed
the application with the governor
secretary. Charles Witt. requesting that
Witt hand the same to the governor IN
person on his return; that witt, IN
fact. instead of handing same TO the
pardon clerk. as was the custom re-
tanned said application in his posses
sion until he handed it to the COVER
nor on Nov. 16.
Fourth-That Governor Harding re-
turned to Des Moines by the ROCK
| Island train at $50 o'clock of the
morning of Nov l6: that the governor
testified that he read the application
! over or said day and that before grant
| ing same he sent for and inquired OF
Judge Nithrow, member of the board
of parole. whether he had legal rlSh'
TO grant a pardon without submitting
| the application to the board of parole
for Investigation of facts and recon-
| mendation of the board pursuant to
b,,y, Ma
twenty-three (571S-a 2S) of the CODE
and was told Ivy said Withrow that ne
had: that Judge WithIoW tesutleo
that the governor did not give the
name of the county or the man. OF
show him any papers, nor consult MN
as to the propriety of such action.
Attorney Sent Pardons.
Fifth-That thereupon and without
consulting any other person or max
mig any inquiry regarding the fact IN
the case. the said William L. Harding
did on the same day, Nov. 10, 1918
issue and mail to said Clark in dupli-
cate a full pardon of said ernest
Rathbun: that said pardons were re-
| ceived by said Clark on Nov. Is. 1913,
and one copy delivered by him to SAID
! Ernest Rathbun and the other held by
said Clark; that on said date Rathbun
| Sr.. paid to Clark seven hundred hltS
dollar (s75O), stated by Rathbun TO DC
| in full for services in obtaining the
| pardon.
Sixth--That i'll few days and while
! all knowledge of the granting of SAID
pardon was not given out to the pub
lie, both by The governors office and
at Ida Grove, said Clark sent for o.
Meara, Sr., the father Of Ray CLMeara'
who shared in said crime with Ernest