The log cabin Democrat., 1921-05-13
M'RAE TAXES FIRM STAND ON PARD0NS
NOT ONE YET GRANTED
Declares Executive Clemency Will be Forthcoming Only in Excep-
 tional Cases.

Little Rock, May Ex-Governor
 McRae is making good his promises when he became governor that he would not interfere with the orderly procedure of the courts by the in- l discriminate granting of pardons. He 1 has now been in office four months and has not yet granted a pardon, al- though there have been many appli- cations filed.
 ''I want to be distinctly understood,' D said Governor McRae, "as standing by the verdicts of the juries and the judgments of the courts. I am not go- ing to assume that they have not done their duty, by appointing commissions or boards to investigate their find ings or by instituting inquiries of my own for the purpose of reviemine or overturning convictions. 1 do not want to lose confidence in the judi ciary of my state. I do not consider it the prerogative of the governor to act as a general court of review or as appellate court before whom the actions of the courts shall be con- sidered.
 q do not say that I will never grant pardon, for conditions are con- ceivable where executive clemency would be right and proper, but I do say that I shall never grant pardons indiscriminately and by the whole sale, and the case must be one of ex- # tice require clemency, to justify my interference with the judgments of the courts. Justice should be temper ed with mercy, but in being merciful toward criminals, We must not forget cur duty toward the law-abiding ele- ment of society. Those who uphold the law must have justice also, and justice to them includes their pro- lection against the vlolaters of law through the proper punishment of criminals.
 'The severity of punishment is not so potent in restraining lawlessness as the certainty of punishment. The imposing of too heavy sentences of ten defeats the very end for which they were imposed, by providing a strong argument for pardon by the governor. Just sentences, however, remove this argument and strengthen the hands of the law.
 ''The governor through misuse of the pardoning power, may subvert the verdict of the courts in criminal cases and make the proper punish ment of crime most uncertain Since certainty of punishment is absolutely necessary to the proper enforcement of the laws, and the establishment of proper respect for and fear of the ma jest of the law, the peace officers, the courts and the governor should per form the duties incumbent upon them honestly, impartially and fearlessly.
 "The people of the state, however, have a considerable part in this inn portant work and a responsibility which they must recognize. They too, must uphold the officers and the courts. They should not sign peti- tions for pardons simply because it is easier to sign than to refuse It has been said that people will sign peti- tions for anything This seems to bo true, when we consider the vast num- Der of petitions that are filed with the chief executive in an effort to set aside the verdicts of the courts.
 "Our people teach their children re- spect for the law. A return to the sturdy home discipline of our fathers would be an investment sure to pro- duce priceless returns. We must have progress in Arkansas, but this can not be attained by nullifying the work of the judiciary"