The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1922-07-06
Circuit Court Judge Tells
Governor Facts in. the
Gordon Case.
SEES GRAVE MENACE
Tells Governor Gordon Was
One of the Most Per-
sistent ViOlatOrs.

Judge E. B. Belden sent to Governor
John j. Blaine on Tuesday letter pro-
testing in the most vigorous manner
against the granting of pardon to
Harry Gordon, former Kenosha liquor
dealer, now serving a term in the house
of correction in Milwaukee Judge
Belden calls the attention of the gov
ernor to the fragrant violations of the
laws shown against Gordon and at the
same time shows that many violations
of the law in his case came when he
was a deputy sheriff. The letter of
Judge Beiden is expressive Of the feel
ing of the officials of this section
of the state in regard to the pardon
of these men. In his letter Judge
Belden said:
Kenosha, Wis, July 3, 1922.
The Honorable John ]. Blaine,
Governor, Madison, Wis.
Sir;- \
/ am notified that application for
pardon OF Harry Gordon, convicted in
the circuit court of Kenosha county,
will be heard before you July 5, 1922.
Pursuant to law, l herewith submit
to you my views of the case,
Harry Gordon was indicted by the
grand jury of Kenosha county on
twelve several counts charging unlaw-
FIJI selling, transportation and posses
sion # toyic'sing liquors, and for
malfeasance in office.
The indictment for malfeasance in
Office was based upon the fact that dur
ing a part of the time he was vio-
lating the law he was a deputy sheriff
of Kenosha county. His appointment
was revoked and his star taken from
him. This count, together with two
other counts, were withdrawn by the
state, although the evidence was suf-
fcient for conviction thereon, because
there were several other counts, enough
to make basis for sufficient punish
ment, and sentence was imposed upon
the remaining nine counts.
The sentence of the court will I'M
doubtedly be before you and need
not repeat it here.
BraZen Disregard for Law.
Disregard for law, brazen, insolent
defiance of law, became so common, so
notorious and so obnoxious, that sew
eral hundred residents of Kenosha
county formally advised me that CON
ditions had become intolerable to law
respecting citizens and in despair of
,kb - g.
sheriff, the underzsheriff, the chief of
police and the district attorney fail
ing to do their duties, and all being
now in state prison in consequence
thereby asked me to call grand jury.
his was done and large number of
Indictments, including those against
Harry Gordon, were returned.
/ understand that one of the pleas to
be presented for your consideration is
that Gordon's family is in need.
Has Sympathy for Family.
We all know that in many if not
most cases, the punishment imposed
for violation of the law falls heaviest
upon the innocent. We are sorry for
Mrs. Gordon and we are sorry for all
the other innocent sufferers. If SYM
pathy were to be our guide we might
be inclined to set all violators whose
dependents suffer, free. We have sym
pathy, but we must be mindful that we
also have a duty to uphold the law and
to punish those who violate it. If con-
victed men, of whose guilt there is no
doubt, are released and excused from
the penalties imposed by the courts and
the purpose of the law thus nullified,
the effect may be serious.
The evidence upon the trial and all
the facts known to me, show convinc-
ingly that Harry Gordon was one of
the chief law violators of Kenosha
county. He,was not only retailer, but
also wholesaler of Intoxicating liquor
He is not bad fellow, not criminal
by nature, but like many others, the
lure of "easy money" to be made in
'bootlegging," "booze running" and
unlawful sales at wholesale and retail
was too strong for him. His conduct,
his violations, were open, notorious
md brazen, and due respect for and
administration of the law required the
curt to impose penalties upon him
hat would not only punish him i'm
pressively but also impress others and
erve as salutary warning. If it is
lecessary for the public to care for
us family if that be the situation,
Turing his enforced absence, that
hould be regarded as part of the ex-
1ense of the administration of the law
No Hasty Sentences.
Sentence of Gordon, in common with
>ther cases, was deferred for nearly
hree months, my plan being to defer