life; prison, New York Penitentiary and State Prison for Women.

Commuted to eight years, eight months and five days, actual

time.

The prisoner, driven to desperation by the brutal treatment of her husband, shot him. She was then twenty years old. She has now been imprisoned for a term which is the legal equivalent of nearly fourteen years. During the whole of it she has suffered greatly from a most painful illness from which she will probably never recover. Her conduct has been excellent. Something over a year ago a very earnest appeal was made by the officers of the penitentiary for clemency in her behalf as a reward for her having at the risk of her own life saved that of a child at a fire in one of the penitentiary buildings. A number of people of the highest character have taken a deep interest in the case, and have very strongly urged that she be released.

December 31, 1900. Pasquale Leonardi. Sentenced February 2, 1895; county, Montgomery; crime, murder, second degree; term, life; prison, Clinton.

Commuted to five years, ten months and twenty-four days, actual time.

This commutation is strongly recommended by Judge Stover, before whom the prisoner was tried, by Attorney-General Davies, who is familiar with all the facts, by the county judge, and by many other leading citizens of Montgomery county. In fact the sentiment there in favor of the commutation seems unanimous. It is clearly shown that Leonardi was a man of good character, and that at the time of the homicide he was practically insane, the result of the rough and outrageous treatment to which he had been subjected, so that really he was not responsible for his act.

RESPITES

January 11, 1900. Squire Tankard. Convicted of murder, first degree, in the county of Chautauqua, and sentenced, November 27, 1899, to be executed.

Respite granted until July 16, 1900.

Insanity was interposed as a defense on the trial but does not seem to have been well established. There can be no doubt, however, that Tankard is now insane, although perhaps not permanently so, and the respite is granted to afford opportunity for his recovery.

June 27, 1900. Squire Tankard.

Further respited until February 1, 1901, on same grounds as for respite of January 11, 1900.

227

PUBLIC ADDRESSES AND CORRESPONDENCE

OF

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

Governor of the State of New York

DURING THE YEAR

1900