The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1931-04-07
WHY A PARDoN-NoT A PAROLE?
INSTALLMENT %

lNSTALLmENT Z2
Paul Scharrenberg knows that should Mo
ney and Billings accept parole, they could
never become active in the labor movement
That is why he, and the other labor leaders
oppose their demands for an unconditional par
don, but are willing to help them obtain a pa
role On parole they would be helpless for
if they even tried prominently to identify
themselves in the struggle between labor and
capital, they would be violating the conditions
of parole.
The parole laws of California would effec-
lively keep Mooney and Billings in sight Of
police station at all times A brief summary
of the conditions, restrictions and regulations
of parole will show why both prisoners so
strongly object to parole. For the remainder Of
their lives they would have to:
l. Remain at place of employment until per-
mission be given to go elsewhere" Would the
parole officer ever give them permission to
change employment so that they might become
active IN the labor movement? NO!
q obtain written consent to change employ
ment residence, or leave the county where en-
ployed" At all times they would be under sur
veillance.
g. They would have no civil rights until after
the expiration of their parole in their case -
death. They could not enter Unto any contract,
engage in business. marry, assume any trusts,
authority or power"
T. Until their death they would be in the legal
custody and control Of the Estate Board of Pris-
on Directors" Should they at any time fail to
comply with the requirements of the Board
Parole officer, they would be returned to prison.
These requirements are the core Of the Parole
Law. The labor leaders through their allies,
the politicians on the Parole Board, would con-
troll. restrict, and totally defeat the efforts Of
Mooney and Billings to expose them. AL they
would need to do would be to have the Parole
Board order Mooney and Billings to remain 81
lent about the labor leaders and keep away from
unions, or be declared parole violators and re-
turned to the penitentiary.
5. They could not drive motor vehicle Hav-
ing no civil rights the State is responsible for
the paroled mans actions and refuses to accept
responsibility in case of accident, so it prohibits
the paroled prisoner from driving - this
in the year Of 1891
g. In all matters mot covered by the parole
rules" they would be governed by instructions
of the Parole Officer Participation in the labor
movement is not covered by the parole laws.
What instructions would the Parole Officer give
Mooney and Billings? Stay away from the
unions.
The State Board Of Prison Directors, with cum
ming subtleness concludes the admonitions re-
garding the conditions of parole with: "The
foregoing regulations are not mere meaningless
words They have been carefully prepared and
must be precisely followed"
Mooney and Billings are innocent BY accept
ing a parole they would automatically admit
guilt, for innocent men ere not paroled they
are pardoned. A pardon is remission of the
judgement. 1t has no strings" attached to it.
The pardoned man cannot be shunted around
by the police as an "ex-convict" The pardon is
the act by which the State recognizes its mis-
take and Internationally releases the victim
wrongfuly imprisoned. That is why Warren
Billing says:
II will not consider parole. I would prefer
to remain in the penitentiary to that, I want
complete vindcation."
And Tom Mooney ennphatically writes:
81 will rot and die within the walls of San
Quentin prison before will accept degrad-
ing and hunihating parole that would make
me conditional prisoner subject always to
being returned to prison for life for the infrac-
ton of any one of the many rules governing
parole, most OF which are not actual violations
of law Parole is for the guilty. I am abso-
lutely innocent