The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-03-31

Charges 'IrOtltpeflnS
Your committee believe that these in
stances fairly illustrate the covert ways
the Governor has been corrupuy prof
teering in official favors to persons
ostensibly dealing in things Of triflng
value as excuse for moneys paid the
Governor which We're actually paid
him and by him corruptly received to
influence his official duties and ac
tions.
The Governor has been extended the
privilege, which he declined. to testify
before your committee, as to the
sources of these moneys.
THIRD: During the same time we
find that the said j. Il. A Robertson,
as governor. has been guilty of gross
and corrupt misconduct and neglect
of official duty in office in the extra
VACANT and wholly unwarranted eXer'
else OF executive clemency in the re-
prieve, Communication, parole, pardon ard
otherwise release of prisoners sentenc-
ed to Imprisonment in the penitentiary
and other penal institutions.
Excessive Use Pardoning Power
We find that during the administra-
ton of Governor Robertson, nearly
nineteen hundred acts of executive Gle
mency, such as reprieve, combinations
of sentences, parole and pardon OF
criminals, has been exercised, mostly
by Cover acr Robertson, some by Lieut.
enant Governor Trapp, Senator David
son and Speaker W9ldrep. OF these
approximately twelve hundred and
ninety were expiration pardons; but
many J7 them, 30 called expiration
pardons. were Issuol o,iore the ex-
piration of the terms Of imprisonment
During the same time about eighteen
sentences, mostly long term sentences,
were commuted to shorter terms, and
some of these later given expiration
pardons. Abou, 60 parsons relieving
rae prisoner Of the whole or most of
the term Of Imprisonment, two of whion
were revoked; 81 reprieves; and about
40 paroles, effectively relieving the
prisoners of the sentences imposed, OF
which only about u have been revoked.
There may be slight errors in these
figures. but they are believed to be suf-
ficiently correct. Many OF the so-called
expiration uardons were issued long
prior TO the actual expiration of the
Imprisonment due apparently to the
extreme liberality and utter irresponsi-
bility oharacteriZing this part of the
administration.
Thirteen Murderers Reprieved
Touching prisoners convicte for mar
Ger and most of them sentenced 10 life
Imprisonment. we find that Governor
Robertson has granted l3 reprieves,
cymmuted ! sentences to shorter
terms: 81 paroles. one being in less than
one year after sentence. two being in
less than two years after sentence, three
being in less than three years after
sentence. one being in less than four
years after sentence, one being in less
than five years after sentence, two be-
ing in less than six years after sentence,
and only three of the remainder eX-
ceeded ten years after sentence, and
one exceeding twenty years. That he
has revoked four such paroles, That
other than expiration pardons, he has
par.oned six after short terms Of con-
finement.
Ten Manslaughter Cases
And in manslaughter cases we find
that he has reprieved ten, commuted
two sentences, paroled AZ, the greater
part of whom had served only a small
par, Ut their sentences. and some prac
E.I ii f.t Faa pal lse
We find two such revocations; and other
than expiration and citizenship pardons
has pardonod three.
or persons convicted Of other crimes
OF violence, suoA as burglary. felonious
assaults, robbery, conjoint robbery
rape. arson, and other crimes of VIC.
lcnce. Governor Robertson, in addition
ta many expiration ami citizenship par
dons and paroles late in the term OF
Imprisonment, has granted five re
prieves, three combinations Of sentence
about III paroles, revoking about II OF
such, and about lSparlons other thar
expiration and citizenship pardons
That the greater part Of those so pa
rolled and pardonod had served but @
small part of their sentence. and som,
none.
To persons SENTENCED ror crimes o
fraud. thefts, forgeries, etc, such a'
larccnies OF livestock and other prop
crty. forgerles, ombe2zlement. obtaining
money under false pretcnse. utterinS
bad check receiving stolen property
We find ten reprieves, four commuta
H-ns 13i paroles and II oardons othel
than expiration and citizenship pardons
And that the greater number Of those
who had served any part OF their sen
tences had served but very little.
Clcmency soon After Conviction
In the greater number of the case.
In all of the foregoing classes the exc
cutive clemency followed so soon aftei
the sentence. relieving long term an,
dangerous criminals OF the burden o
their sentences, and turning them loos,
again upon the public, that 1t shows
the irrcsponsibility OF the governor IL
such matters. II is process blasting
at the very foundations OF law and or
der. and has been carried so far as {,
make Oklahoma seem q haven 10 crooks
and thieves and thugs. When long tern
sentences for robbcres and. larccnies
are virtually nullified by AN irrespon
sible executive power the courts are no
feared and life and property are no
safe.
The same irresponsibility appears IL
the records relative to violatioss OF tn,
liquor, prohibition, gambling and ouhe
laws. The records show long lists o
professional vtolators Of these laws -
favored.
\ parole system. properly and honest
~ administered IN light of public nee,
OF security to life. property and publi'
morals. has its merits; but wnen {, 4
employed, as 1t has been In this In
stance. as a virtual license to the mos