The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1920-07-30
GOVERNOR EXPLAINS
HIS "a. PARDONS
Says Every Release Has
Been Based Solely on
Merits Of Case .

SANTA FE, July 3O.-'In every
case In p|ardoning u man from the
penitentiary my decision has rested
solely on tho merits of his case
There. In n few words, Is the sum
ming up OF Governor Larrazolo's rea-
o n Tor his liberal exercise of the
pardoning power.
The governor made the statement
In an interview. owing to the fact
that the number OF men he a re-
leased from the pcnitentiary was re-
Pardcd as one of The features of his
administration, he was asked for n
statement. He first related in detail
two or three recent cases. He couldn't
remember the details Of every case,
of course, he said. but he gave these
as Illustrations. lie then made the
quoted statement which he empha-
sized by striking the palm Of one
hand with the other.
O4 pardOns.
In the first year and a half of his
term the governor has reversed the
process OF putting persons "on the
inside looking out" in "a cases. That
Ia, "a mensand women have been
purdoned from the penitentiary.
Twcnty-seven boys sentenced to do
time" In the ~reformatory have been
pardoned and is county jail prisoners.
These figures do not include restora-
lloUh 10 tltlltilhlllD UT piiHblfA1 WV
served their sentences; they are all
pardons.
II have made mistakes, OF course
admitted the governor. who hasn't?
But the lumber has been few. II
recall now only two.'
These mistakes were the pardon
ing OF two men who after their re-
lease failed TO live up to the condl-
tons of their pnrdons. one OF them
has already been returned to the
prison and. the governor said, the
other will he returned as soon AZ he
is approhondcd.
on the subject OF the boys par
doned from the reformatory the gov
ernor spoke vigorously.
Nv pardoned them on the theory
that they can do better at home than
in that Institution" he said. ITS a
disgrace to the state OF New Mexico!
And Furthermore, whenever II can be
shown that a boy would have better
advantages at home | am going to
send him home"
Trades Not Taught.
Tho, governor referred to the ia
~cilltles for the teaching of the boys.
He su.d these had been improved
under his administration, but that
sim the institution fell short OF the
general conception of Its purposes In
that the inmates were not taught
trades to fit them for leading useful
and better lives upon their release.
The governor said II was no his
pollcy as u rule TO interfere with the
Judgment Of the courts In passing
upen the question of the severity of
the sentences passed upon applicants
Tor pardon. He took Il for granted,
he said, that the courts were guided
by the facts I'm each case and that
they had first hand Information and
acted accordingly. To that extent
he said. Il was his rule not to inter
fere.
He then told OF the case of a mar
whom he pardoned recently. He was
sent up" on the charge of cattle
stealing. The governor said the wit
nesses against him were another man
who was convicted OF the theft and
the man who bought the cattle from
tho latter. The second witness sa'u
he bought the cattle from the first
The bill OF salo and check In payment
for tho cattle were exhibited. me
first witness ADMITTED that he stole
tho cattle and sold them. accordirj
to the governor. but added that be
divided the money with he man al
terwnrd pardoned.
why He PardOned Him.
~ ~pardoned him on the theory that
no man ahouid eVer be convicted on
the unoorroborated testimony OF az
accomplish said the governor. III
can't be done In Texas. In some
states the law provides ngninst that
In states that. have no sueh.law -iti