Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-16

One pardon was granted, one was
denied and another petition was ia
bled by the Governor and Council at
its regular session Tuesday at the
State House. The petition granted
was that of Fred Smith of Portland.
serving a term in the Cumberland
county Jail for illegal possession of
intoxicating liquor, who according to
the conditions imposed must enter
the United States military service. in
which he was enlisted at the time
of the conviction.
Pardon was denied to William A.
Cameron of Raymond. who is serv-
ing term in the Cumberland county
Jail for the larceny OF six blankets,
and the pardon petition of Gertrude
+. Baker Of Portland, serving a term
at States prison for transporting a
female person for the purpose of
prostitution, was tabled until the next
meeting.
Captain James McMcrrow Of Fort
Williams appeared in favor of the
pardon of Smith, who was convicted
of illegal possession IN the South
sentenced to pay fine of $500 and
costs and serve three months in Jail.
Smith set forth in his petition that
he was unable to pay the fine impos-
ed and would be obliged to serve six
months additional in Jail, making
zine months in all.
Smith was in the military service
just one month and Is days when he
was caught with half pint of liquor
in his pocket and was arrested, Capt
McMorrow pointed out. The captain
stated that Smith was convicted and
sentenced, not being given an oppor-
tunity to call up his acting company
commander, and that considering his
previous good record and the fact
that he was only 10 years OF age
executive clemency should be extend
ed.
Attorney Harry L. Nixon of Port
land appeared for the petitioners in
the case of Cameron, serving six
months in the Cumberland county
Jail for larceny. Mr.. Nixon asserted
that although the respondent had en-
tered the plea Of guilty to the charge
of larceny for six blankets, in reality
he Mas guilty of no other crime than
receiving stolen goods. After the con-
yiction it was discovered that three
of the blankets were not stolen.
A letter from DR.. w. J. Comedian
stating that Cameron is In very poor
health, was presented by Attorney
Nixon, who also stated that in case
pardon was granted, the man would
have chance to earn his living by
working at the home of his former
employer at Poland. Further con-
flnement in prison would endanger
Mr.. Cameron's life, it was asserted.
The last case taken up at the ses-
sion was on the petition for the par
don of Gertrude L. Baker, who was
convicted in the superior court for
Cumberland county at the January
term in 1922 and sentenced to serve
not less than six nor more than IL
years in States prison for transport
ing n female for the purpose of pros
titution.
Attorney Arthur Chapman of
Portland. counsel for Mrs. Baker
argued that the woman was con-
victed almost entirely on the testi-
mony of Maisie McDermott, who
was Afterwards an inmate at the Au-
gusta State hospital, and he read a
letter from DIR. Forrest c. Tyson
superintendent of that institution
saying that the symptoms in the
case of the McDermott woman must
have developed year before her
commitment to the hospital DIR.
Tyson further stated in the letter
that he believed her statements to-
day to be unreliable and also be-
lieved that they were unreliable at
the time of the trial.
Brigadier General Thomas T..
Hughes of the Salvation Army
speaking in favor of the pardon, de-
clared that he thought that about
everybody feels that the statement
of the McDermott girl was not cor
rect.
The governor and council Tues
day assigned for it's next session,
hearings on the pardon petitions of
Joseph l.. Dow of Songo Lock, serv-
ing term in the Cumberland coun-
ty Jail for liquor selling; Virgil HI.
Grober of Portland. serving a sem
tence in the Cumberland county jail
Continued on Page 4ECoi. 81