Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-05-19
WHEN AND WHEN NOT A
MENACE?

All may not agree with Thomas
Mott Osborne that: Prisons exist
for the protection of society; they
have no other proper function" but
those who object may find it difficult
to sustain their objections. When
it comes to determining whether the
prison has fulfilled its function of
protecting society. however. there is
greater latitude for difference OF
opinion. The larger number of the
appeals for pardon remind one OF
Osborne's comment that In many
prisons "there has been flop from
brutality to sentimentality" and that
this shifting Of extremes has been
also shown in the efforts to secure
pardons. Indeed it is a matter of
ridicule that too often the prisoner
no sooner commences to serve his
sentence that he begins to work for
his pardon and If he may command
money to aid in this, he stands a
pretty good show of securing his
liberty. One, who gives heed to
these efforts. not infrequently ar
rives at the conclusion the pardoning
power is less likely to be of use to
Justice than it's abuse.
But to get back to the first prop
psition that prisons should only exist
for the protection Of society, and to
a particular case to which this may
apply with unusual force, there is the
plea for the communication of the life
sentence Of Henry Lambert, con-
victed under circumstantial evidence
of the murder of ]. Wesley Allen in
Shirley more than % years ago. He
then was French Canadian laborer
and believed by those who convicted
him of having committed the crime
under the influence of liquor. His
life had been such that he had had
more of liquor than of learning or
elevating influences. In prison he
became an exemplary inmate.
Throughout he has stoutly main
tanned his innocence. While there he
has revealed no characteristics one
would expect in criminal guilty OF
such a deed as that with which he
was charged.
Having no money and no In
fuential friends probably Henry
Lambert had little confidence that
he ever again would be at liberty
to walk abroad free man. Be that
as it may, there has come through
time and circumstance, not money or
influence, a conviction in the hearts
of a few that injustice had been
done Henry Lambert. They are
determined to do what they may
to remedy it. There was a woman,
q former resident Of Augusta, who
had never seen Lambert. whose at
tenticn was attracted to the case by
overhearing a discussion OF 1t by
lawyers, and whose interest because
of that has never tagged. Way was
found If Lambert could get his free
dom whereby he might find employ
ment and be provided for. A petition
for his pardon was denied last
August, but those interested in his
case, were not discouraged. II
pardon might not be obtained why
not commute his sentence? Had he
not demonstrated the fact in his long
confinement that giving him his
liberty would in no way be menace
to society? Was there not grave
doubt Of his guilt? Hon. Charles s.
Hichborn of this city is to plead his
case before the Governor and Coun-
ell on Tuesday. He Is doing this IN
the interests of humanity, and with
out fear or favor.
Under such conditions as these,
intelligent people generously giving
of their time and money and effort,
the prisoner having served faithfully
for twenty two years, the Judge who
presided at the trial having believed
that the man was not proven guilty.
the further fact that neither his own
money and influence nor the money
and influence of those related or as
ISOLATED with him are being used in
his behalf, the case of Henry LAM
bert Is Of unusual significance In the
annals OF pardon cases. The fact
that he was convicted on circum-
stantial evidence in no way demon
strates his Neutrality-suspicious.
that kind Of evidence is the most
damaging: the fact that the presid-
. ing judge did not think the case
proved need not be a reflection on
the wisdom Of those who prosecuted
and convicted him, but these circum-
stances widen the room for doubt
whether. after all. an innocent man
may not have suffered. Then, there
10 the excellent evidence that the
prison term has helped this man to
be no longer a menace to society. II
he did the awful deed he was in
named by liquor. which, while not an
excuse. Is a help to the belief that
with the discipline Of two decades in
his life society will not suffer II he
be permitted to go forth and use
what remains of his life as best he
may be able. Many people Of sound
minds and good understanding will
probably continue to believe that