The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-12-13

" the sentence of Peter Fisher, for
er district attorney Of Kenosha coun-
serving a term in the state prison
flowing his plea of guilty to charg-
brought by the grand jury, so that
e sentence will expire at noon on
ebruary 10th. The same order pro-
des for the release Of former Sheriff
seph Meyer on February 18th. Mey-
was convicted on charges of bribery
i'd his sentence was for term of
years. The sentence of Fisher
luld have expired on June 10, 1924.
The governor refused to grant ex-
utive clemency to Alex Ritter, for
.r Undersheriff Of Kenosha county,
lose sentence will expire on Febru-
18th next, and at the same time
fused to take any action in the petit
IN for the pardon of former Chief
Police Owen O'Hare, whose SEN
nee expired today and who this af-
rnoon is free man after paying the
III penalty assessed against him.
The former chief arrived in Keno
q just after noon and was given a
.ost cordial welcome.
Applications 100 LaCes
In refusing to take any action in the
)'Hare and the Ritter cases the gov
rnor declared that the applications
or clemency in these cases had been
led so late that action by the gov
rnor was not advisable on account of
he nearness of the ending of the
arms to which the men were SEN
enced. The action of the state ex-
cutive on the Ritter case was a great
urprise to local officials as it had been
elieved that he would be the first
ian to receive the clemency of the
overnor.
In handing down the orders the gov
rnor goes much into detail and dis
uses at length the cases in which
lemency had been asked.
The Fisher Case.
The. order in the case of Peter Fish
gives the following:
Convicted, circuit court, Kenosha
ounty, charge of embezzlement; SEN
,nced to two years, three years, and
ne year six months, running concur
.ntly, making total of three years,
I'd he was sentenced in another case
II three years for bribery, running
,ncurrently with the foregoing SEN
nee; state prison.
"The only difference, generally
leaking, as to the misconduct of
sher, O'Hare, Meyers and Ritter, is
at Fisher was an attorney and had
EDUCATIONAL opportunities and qualifi-
tions superior to the others and oc-
pied relatively a higher degree of
lbic trust by reason thereof. He
rs a lawyer and knew the law. All
ur of these officials had formerly
ry high standing in their communi-
Loss of Profession.
"While Fisher as district attorney
Id a higher degree of responsibility
the circumstances, he has also re-
ived by far greater punishment
has lost his license to practice law
is now forty-three years of age
.rried, and has four children, who
dependent upon him for support
loss of his profession is by fan
greatest punishment imposed upon
n. He is stripped for life of the
lis with which he was formerly
tipped, as his license to practice law
never be restored to him.
Under his three-year sentence, his
m of Imprisonment will expire June
1924. l am advised by his wife
at O position has been procured fol-
N as soon as he is released, a posi-.
IN which will afford him the oppor.
nifty to support his wife and foul
ildren.
what was said in the Ritter anc
Hare cases with respect to an alb
lutte pardon applies here, | need not
peat those reasons, which to me APP
,ar to justify the denial or granting
absolute pardons.
This case was not perfected until
tie in, November and placed on the
ecember calendar, and what l said in
he O'Hare and Ritter cases with re-
pect to what relief might have been
ossible had the matter been brought
my attention earlier applies like
Use here. Therefore, by committing
is sentence to expire at noon Feb
uaFy 10, 1874, gives MIN 4 punishment
Substantially equal to that of Meyers
litter and O'Hare, and as 1 have sug-
ested, he has received the further
enlistment, which | regard as bis
reatest punishment-the loss of his
ght to practice law.
Communication of sentence to expire
noon February 16, 1924"
The Meyer Case.
In commenting the sentence of 10.
phi Meyer, the governor says:
Meyer was sheriff of. Kenosha coun
at the time. Was convicted of re,
wing brides of $50 per week from
rsons for permitting gambling hous
etc. Meyer had always enjoyed {
Cd reputation in his county and was
of the most respected citizens OF
nosha. He was assessor for sever
years. He has a wife and three
ildren, aged ten, twelve and fourteen
ars, receiving aid from the county 81
} per month, plus $40 paid by the
fe's brother
AS a general proposition, the guilt
O'Hare, Ritter and Meyer was about