STATEMENT

OF

PARDONS, COMMUTATIONS OF SENTENCE AND REPRIEVES GRANTED BY THE GOVERNOR FOR THE YEAR 1876.

PARDONS.

January 8, 1876. Julia Jackson. Sentenced October 18, 1875; county, Westchester; crime, petit larceny; term, six months; prison, Albany county penitentiary.

The judge says the sentence is excessive. The prisoner is a colored woman.

January 8, 1876.

David Dowd. Sentenced March 18, 1873; county, Kings; crime, arson in the second degree; term, seven years; prison, Sing Sing, transferred to Auburn.

The fire was set to an uninhabited shed. By reason of its being within the curtilage of a dwelling, the offense was technically arson in the second degree, but the moral guilt was not greater than that involved in one of the lower degrees. Strong representations in favor of his pardon have been made by many prominent citizens, among them the owner of the property. As the law has been substantially vindicated Judges Moore, Neilson and McCue, District Attorney Britton, Mayor Hunter, Gen. John B. Woodward and the superintendent of police unite in recommending clemency.

January 8, 1876. Jane Olney. Sentenced March 22, 1875; county, Onondaga; crime, receiving stolen goods; term, three years; prison, Onondaga county penitentiary.

Her offense was not committed with a view to gain, but to shield a member of her family. Her health is so poor that the chances are against her recovery. Judge Riegal, District Attorney James and others ask her release on the grounds of humanity.

January 8, 1876. Charles Mason. Sentenced September 23, 1868; county, Niagara; crime murder; term, life; prison, Auburn. This man was charged with having poisoned his wife. There is good reason to believe that he was innocent.

January 8, 1876. George Haskins. Sentenced October 16, 1874; county, Onondaga; crime, grand larceny; term, three years; prison, Auburn.

Reputable people who have known the prisoner for years, are positive that he had no crimnal intent. The district attorney says

that it was understood that sentence should be suspended, but by some mistake it was overlooked.

January 8, 1876. Horace Leverich. Sentenced February 10, 1874; county, Westchester; crime, burglary; term, five years; prison, Albany county penitentiary.

His death is imminent. The superintendent of the prison, the judge with many others pray for his discharge.

acter was good.

January 8, 1876.

William Kelleher.

His previous char

Sentenced July 24, 1874;

county, New York; crime, robbery in the first degree; term, fifteen years; prison, Sing Sing.

Mr. A. W. Sheldon, of the prison association claims this man to be innocent. The judge and district attorney acquiesce.

January 12, 1876. Bridget D. Gray. Sentenced January 10, 1876; county, Rensselaer; crime, intoxication; term, sixty days; prison, Albany county penitentiary.

Should not have been sentenced for so long a term. Ten children, the youngest eight months old, were left unprovided for.

January 20, 1876. Leonora Brown. Sentenced February 12, 1874; county, Westchester; crime, grand larceny; term, three years; prison, Albany county penitentiary.

Granted upon official evidence that she is innocent.

January 21, 1876. John Morrill. Sentenced May 14, 1872; county, Clinton; crime, arson in the second degree; term, seven years; prison, Clinton.

At the time of the trial a great deal of prejudice existed against the prisoner. Public opinion has now materially changed and a large majority of the citizens believe he has been sufficiently punished. Among the petitioners are Judge Bockes, the prosecuting district attorney, H. E. Barnard, County Judge Beckwith, Ex-county judges Palmer and McMasters, County Treasurer Dobie, Hon Andrew Williams, M. C., Senator Tobey, Members of the Assembly Bowen and Calkins, Rev. J. H. Hopkins, and many others.

February, 8, 1876. Eugene Small. Sentenced March 8, 1873; county, Kings; crime, arson in the second degree; term, seven years; prison, Sing Sing.

His accomplice, David Dowd, was pardoned a month before. The reasons are the same.

February 11, 1876. John Feulner. Sentenced December 27, 1875; county, Saratoga; crime, assault and battery; term, eighty days; prison, Albany county penitentiary.

Recommended by the complainant, Mr. Charles A. Allen, president of the village of Saratoga Springs, Police Justice Scott, County Judge

Lester and Justice of the Supreme Court Bockes, as the punishment is deemed too severe.

February 15, 1876. James McGuire. Sentenced July 10, 1874;

county, New York; crime, petit larceny from the person; term, two years and six months; prison, Sing Sing.

Prisoner's health is fast failing. The degree of his guilt seems to have been exaggerated.

February 15, 1876. Catharine Coakley. Sentenced October 8, 1875; connty, Herkimer; crime, grand larceny; term, two years; prison, Sing Sing.

This woman, together with her husband and seven children, was on a journey on foot from Little Falls to Utica. They called at the house of a farmer for some milk; while there she found a pocket book containing money which she took. Since her conviction the children have depended upon the charity of the neighbors.

February 19, 1876. William Harris. Sentenced January 22, 1876; county, Erie; crime, vagrancy; term, sixty days; prison, Erie county penitentiary.

He was no vagrant and should not have been convicted as such. The police justice, the mayor of Buffalo, the Senator from that district and others ask his release.

February 19, 1876. Jennie Lewis. Sentenced September, 16, 1875;

county, New York; crime, obtaining money by false pretenses; term, two years; prison, New York county penitentiary. The girl is about fifteen years of age, and committed the offense at the command of her father, who is now in prison. The pardon is asked for by the special legislative committee on crime, appointed in 1875, and by numerous other respectable citizens.

February 25, 1876. John W. Eighmy. Sentenced June 24, 1875; county, Saratoga; crime, perjury; term, five years; prison, Clinton.

Should not have been convicted; was innocent.

March 2, 1876. James A. Stever.

Sentenced December 17, 1875; county, Yates; crime, advising an abortion; term, one year; prison, Monroe county penitentiary.

Was technically guilty under the act of 1872. There being no discretion with the court he was sentenced for the full period prescribed by law. The abortion was not procured. The girl has since married, and there is but one feeling manifested among the officials and people of the county, that an immediate pardon should be granted. March 3, 1876. John Brennan. Sentenced April 13, 1870; county, New York; crime, robbery in the first degree; term, fifteen years and six months; prison, Sing Sing.

The name Brennan is an alias. He pleaded guilty by the advice of counsel. The court being under the impression that he was a professional criminal imposed the severest sentence. He is, however, of good family, and left his father's home but a week before his arrest. Had this fact appeared upon the trial he would have received the minimum punishment.

March 7, 1876. John Kirkland. Sentenced June 16, 1876; county, New York; crime, robbery in the first degree; term, ten years; prison, New York county penitentiary.

Recommended by the board of education of New York. Seems to be a case of mistaken identity.

March 14, 1876. William George Good.

Sentenced August 11, 1875; county, New York; crime, embezzlement; term, two years and six months; prison, Sing Sing.

Granted upon the earnest solicitation of Messrs. J. J. Stuart & Co., the complainants, who blame their cashier in not making the young man settle up his cash every evening.

March 21, 1876. Howard Hazleton. Sentenced January 5, 1876; county, Westchester; crime, disorderly conduct; term, one hundred days; prison, Albany county penitentiary.

The sentence seems quite severe. Many inhabitants of Peekskill wish his pardon.

March 24, 1876. James F. Bull. Sentenced March 6, 1875; county, New York; crime, obtaining money by false pretenses; term, two years and six months; prison, Sing Sing.

The frankness of his confession, and his evident wish to do all on his part to atone for his crime, are circumstances entitled to consideration.

March 24, 1876. John Maloney. Sentenced March 3, 1876; county, Erie; crime, vagrancy; term, two months; prison, Erie county penitentiary.

Pardon asked for by the mayor of Buffalo, the police justice and overseer of the poor. His large family needs his services.

March 28, 1876. Henry Shultz. Sentenced July 6, 1875; county, Albany; crime, assault with intent to do bodily harm; term, five years; prison, Albany county penitentiary.

District Attorney Bailey wishes to use him as a witness for the people in an important criminal case.

March 29, 1876. Lizzie Slamenberg. Sentenced September 2, 1875; county, New York; crime, grand larceny; term, three years; prison, New York county penitentiary.

She is dying of consumption.

March 30, 1876. Tuttle Cooley. Sentenced January 6, 1876; county, Monroe; crime, petit larceny; term, six months; prison, Monroe county penitentiary.

The prison officials recommend a pardon in his case, as he is very low with disease. The judge joins in the request.

March 30, 1876. John York. Sentenced April 5, 1869; county, Kings; crime, robbery in the first degree; term, fifteen years; prison, Sing Sing.

The prisoner has served seven years. His prison conduct has been excellent and the officials who were instrumental in obtaining his conviction believe that the ends of justice have been fully answered.

April 6, 1876. Vernon J. Bell. Sentenced June 19, 1874; county, New York; crime, receiving stolen goods; term, three years and six months; prison, Sing Sing.

Granted upon the condition that he leaves the country within thirty days after his release. The district attorney says he has been sufficiently punished.

April 6, 1876. Patrick O'Day. Sentenced January 28, 1876; county, Erie; crime, assault and battery; term, three months; prison, Erie county penitentiary.

The boy is very young and has received a severe lesson. Recommended by Lieutenant-Governor Dorsheimer and the justice who imposed sentence.

April 7, 1876. Jonathan P. Loper. Sentenced May 18, 1874; county, New York; crime, arson; term, seven years; prison, Sing Sing.

The district attorney is of the opinion that his release can do no harm. It is at least doubtful whether he was responsible at the time the act was committed.

April 7, 1876. John Gullary. Sentenced February 14, 1876; county, New York; crime, cruelty to animals; term, one year; prison, New York county penitentiary.

Is in very poor health. Previous character good.

April 10, 1876. William Cox. Sentenced January 3, 1876; county, Monroe; crime, burglary; term, one year; prison, Monroe county penitentiary.

The mother of the prisoner has become partially insane by his imprisonment, and his release is necessary to restore her mind and perhaps save her life.

April 12, 1876. William Bellach. Sentenced February 8, 1876; county, Queens; crime, assault with intent to do bodily harm; term, nine months; prison, Kings county penitentiary.