Pardon Proclamation for Jim Hunter,
February 27, 1925
This pardon proclamation is just one of hundreds issued
by Mrs. Ferguson. From the beginning of her term in office, Governor
Ferguson had pledged to "adopt a most liberal policy in the matter
of pardons," citing a desire to reduce prison expeditures. The governor
had the power to grant to convict felons several types of clemency,
including pardons, paroles, reprieves, and furloughs. Ma Ferguson
pardoned an average of 100 convicts a month, for a total of more than
2000 during her first term as governor. Even many supporters of the
Fergusons were alarmed by the number of pardons issued to violent
criminals, especially coupled with allegations that the couple accepted
bribes of land and cash payments in exchange for clemency.
There were many jokes told about the Fergusons and their
pardon policy. One story tells of a man who began to walk through
a door at the Capitol at the same time as Mrs. Ferguson. "Pardon me,"
he said politely. "Sure," she responded. "Come on in. It'll only take
a minute or two to do the paperwork." In another story, the father
of a convicted criminal asked Pa Ferguson to obtain a pardon for his
son. Ferguson kept changing the subject, telling the father about
a horse he wanted to sell for the ridiculously high price of $5000.
The father demanded, "Why would I want a $5000 horse?" to which Pa
was supposed to have replied, "Well, I figure your son might ride
him home from the penitentiary if you bought him."
Pardon
of Jim Hunter | Follow-up
telegram on Hunter's pardon |
Letters from the public | Political
cartoon | "The
Politics of Personality"
Pardon
of Jim Hunter | Follow-up
telegram on Hunter's pardon |
Letters from the public | Political
cartoon | "The
Politics of Personality"
Pardon Proclamation for Jim Hunter, February
27, 1925, Records of Miriam A. Ferguson, Texas Office of the Governor,
Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and
Archives Commission.
