The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1922-01-03
AN ACT OF GRACE.
FOR PARD0N MING.
.DEBS is CLAIM
Violation of War Laws Forgiven
-Debs Health Taken Into
Consideration

Washington, Jan. 3. - Eugene V.
Debs, Socialist leader was granted his
freedom from Atlanta penitentiary on
Christmas by President Harding sole
~ as an act OF grace; his violation of
the war laws remain unforgiven by
.ne government. This has been dis
closed by Attorney General Dangh-
,erty who made public the text Of his
recommendations to the president in
the Debs case.
1T will be observed" Mr.. Daugh-
erty said, that a pardon was not
granted Debs, but that his sentence
was committed. The action of the
president in no wise condones the
~'fense and the relief was solely an
act Of grace. The gratitude of Debs
'will'be measured by his conduct in the
future"
The administration theory of ac-
tion in the Debs case, according to
Mr.. Daugherty, is to be considered as
the government policy in relation to
others imprisoned for violation of the
war laws, of which class of offenders
ttprobably no better case could be Sc
lected," he declared, than that of
Debs.
In reaching his decision regarding
Debs, the attorney general reviewed
the history of the case, quoting copi-
ously from the speech delivered by
Debs, before the Socialist convention
at Canton, o., in 1918, pointing out
that this was the second time, Debs
has 'set up his theories of government
against the government ITSELF" refer
ing to the so-called Pullman strike in
1894.
Daugherty Fears Example. 4
In considering the matter, Mr.
Daugherty stated he had given Debs
the privilege of discussing his case
with the attorney general person.
ally because of his position as lead
er in his line OF thought, with the de-
sire to give the subject, which affects
many others as we'll, the fairest pos
sible consideration
nj dealing with pardon cases, he
continued, the object to be accom-
plished by Imprisonment, the protec'
ton Of society, must be taken into
account and where reasonable pun
ishment necessary for an example 10
others is accomplished, there IS no
justification for further Imprisonment.
In the particular case OF Debs' ne
added, there was danger that ms
prolonged Imprisonment would have
an Injurious effect on large number
of people who would regard 1t as un-
iustiiable and rather than beng hene-
fetal to society, it might operate as
AN example of harshness.
Discussing the question of pebs
health, Mr.. Daugherty declared that
he appeared to be physically strong
but as matter Of fact was not ana
"he is not normal man mentally on
, this particular subject. Nohsiuet-
| ing Debs' age of sc years, the attor-
/ ney general asserted that the percent
! oqe of his life appropriated to the 10
! year sentence was excessive. T..
t Rnlinr Is Lesson TO Nation.
/ Clemency in some tlegree vas lus-
Titled Mr.. DaughertN found out ne .e
/ couldn't recommend d pardon as II
would doubtless be misunderstood ~
! be justification or cohdonatlon OF his
act'' ;,
| To require Debs to undergo MS iu''
sentence he added. would present to
many "onlv an example OF eHtrehe l
and unjustidable severity While ~
great leniency would be resented pA
those who have stood Loyalty to the
support Of the govern lnent IN us ho"i
of greatest Decd
Mr.. Daugherty maintained trat
great lesson had b|en tanght tne
country. the world and the future gen
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