The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1922-09-07
BELDEN FIGHTS
GORDON PARDON
Tells Governor That Nath-
an Gordon Was Brazen
and Defiant.
GALLO HAD FAIR TRIAL
Circuit Judge Declares He Is
Opposed to Release of Man
Serving Term for Murder.


and persistent of the law violators in
dicted by the grand jury and convicted
in this county. His violations were
not only fragrant, but brazen and de-
fant, continuing during a considerable
time" Judge E. B. Belden of the cir
Cult court declared in a letter today
in which he urged Governor John j.
Blaine to refrain from showing execu-
tive clemency to Nathan Gordon, serv-
ing a fifteen months sentence in the
Milwaukee county house of correction.
The judge of the circuit court also
opposed the granting of pardon or
parole to Joseph Gallo, declaring that
Gallo had a fair trial and that his
"self defense" plea had been given
every possible consideration. Gallo is
serving life term in the state prison
at Waupun following his conviction on
charges of murder. The case is one
which attracted wide attention in the
courts here and at the time of the
murder Gallo was declared to have
acted in self defense. The district
attorney at the time declared the MUIR
der the most cold blooded ever COM
mitted in Kenosha county.
Pardon Day Tomorrow.
Tomorrow morning is expected to be
something of "Kenosha Day" at the
Office of the governor in Madison as
several applications for pardons will
be heard. 1t is expected that in con-
nection with the urging of the pardon
of Nathan Gordon, the governor will
also be asked to consider again the
application of Harry Gordon, who is
serving eighteen months in the house
of correction. The appeal for the par
don of Joseph Filko serving a six
months sentence and liable to farther
penal servitude for non-payment of q
pected to be taken up by the governor,
| if he takes up pardon hearings on
Wednesday. 1t is just possible that
on account Of the strain of the pri-
mary election that the pardon hear
ings will be delayed by the governor
/ unClI ldEcT IN Ln0 mOHIHs
Makes His Position Clear.
In his letters opposing the pardon
of either Gordon or Gallo, Judge Belden
makes his position clear. In his letter
regarding the Gordon pardon, he says:
Although 1 have not received form
al notice thereof, l have read in the
| Kenosha News that application has
been made for pardon of Nathan Cor
don, duly convicted in the circuit
court of Kenoshs county of number
of violations of the prohibition laws.
! Pursuant to law l. communicate my
views Of the case to you.
Gordon was one of the most fragrant
and persistent of the law violators
indicted by the grand jury and con-
victed in this county. His violations
were not only fragrant, but brazen
and defiant, continuing during con-
siderable time.
/ am thoroughly familiar with all
phases Of the conditions leading to the
grand jury Investigations and result
ing proceedings. have no feeling
or attitude toward Gordon or any of
the others convicted for similar vio-
lations of law other than strictly
judicial.
l believe in respect for and obedi-
ence of law and enforcement of the
law against those who knowingly, per-
sistently and brazenly violate it for
illegal profit.
| I think Gordon should pay the pen
atty imposed upon him by the trial
court and I oppose extending executive
clemency to him in any degree.
If executive clemency is extended
to Gordon or other similar violators
Of law, the effect Of the proceedings,
conviction and sentence will not be
what it ought to be-"
In regard to the Gallo pardon, Judge
Belden says:
"Gallo had very fair trial, his self
defense plea, as all other features of
the case, were tried literally in his
behalf in compliance with the pre-
sumption of innocence and the policy
of the law. The jury found against
him and he was duly sentenced.
81 oppose his being pardoned."