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Story
September 6, 1859
Staunton Spectator
Staunton, Virginia
What is this article about?
Governor Wise of Virginia has pardoned two convicts from the Richmond Penitentiary: John Cronin, convicted three years ago of killing his wife and sentenced to five years, and William White, a free negro who served five months for stealing apparel. The article laments frequent court errors necessitating such pardons.
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Full Text
The Pardoning Power.
The administration of Gov. Wise will be signalized in history for the extensive exercise of the pardoning power by our State Executive. Within the last few weeks the Governor has pardoned two more convicts in the Penitentiary. One of them, John Cronin, was convicted about three years ago of killing his wife, and sentenced to the Penitentiary for five years; and the other, William White, a free negro we believe, has served about five months of a term of five years, for stealing wearing apparel. The first criminal was sentenced by the Circuit Court of Richmond, and the second by the Hustings Court of the same city. Presuming, without knowing anything to the contrary, that there are good reasons for this frequent exercise of the Governor's prerogative, we must lament that the Courts and juries of the State so often err in the discharge of their important duties.
The administration of Gov. Wise will be signalized in history for the extensive exercise of the pardoning power by our State Executive. Within the last few weeks the Governor has pardoned two more convicts in the Penitentiary. One of them, John Cronin, was convicted about three years ago of killing his wife, and sentenced to the Penitentiary for five years; and the other, William White, a free negro we believe, has served about five months of a term of five years, for stealing wearing apparel. The first criminal was sentenced by the Circuit Court of Richmond, and the second by the Hustings Court of the same city. Presuming, without knowing anything to the contrary, that there are good reasons for this frequent exercise of the Governor's prerogative, we must lament that the Courts and juries of the State so often err in the discharge of their important duties.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Crime Story
What themes does it cover?
Justice
Crime Punishment
What keywords are associated?
Pardoning Power
Governor Wise
John Cronin
William White
Convict Pardon
Richmond Courts
What entities or persons were involved?
Gov. Wise
John Cronin
William White
Where did it happen?
Richmond
Story Details
Key Persons
Gov. Wise
John Cronin
William White
Location
Richmond
Event Date
Within The Last Few Weeks
Story Details
Governor Wise pardons John Cronin, convicted of killing his wife and sentenced to five years, and William White, convicted of stealing apparel and serving five months of five-year term, both from Richmond courts; article notes frequent pardons due to court errors.