Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 154, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 June 1912 — Should Bader Be Paroled? [ARTICLE]

Should Bader Be Paroled?

The twin daughters of Clinton L. Bader circulated a petition and carried it to Governor Marshall asking the parole of their father. Governor Marshall favors the parole but he does not want'to grant it if there is going to be any great opposition. He wishes the people to speak in his behalf and has temporarily held up action on the petition. ' - - - ■ ■ • - The Republican has always entertained a feeling of commiseration for Mr. Bader, notwithstanding the very clear showing ,that some of the bridges he built in Jasper county did not meet up with the specifications that formed the basis for making the bide. And we will never believe that he was nearly so guilty as some persons sought to make him appear. He was the business manager Of the Winamac Bridge Co. He solicited the business and filed the bills. He depended upon other members of the company to buy the material and do the work. He could not have been guilty without the knowledge and connivance of other members of the company. He might have been entirely innocent and he acted during the trial like a man convinced of his own Innocence. He did not take any advantage of legal technicalities. He acted like a man surprised when he was convicted. The Republican has always claimed that, although the bridges he built proved not to be as good as the specifications called for, they were just as good as could be purchased far the money his company had charged. He did not defraud Jasper county very extensively at the most and it is probable that with all the savings affected by toe scimming of the specifications he did not secure for his company to exceed |SOO. He has spent a year or more in prison. His business was is left penniless. His wife has become an invalid. His daughters need his counsel and companionship. Almost 500 citizens of his town have asked for his release. Jasper county is now safeguarding its interests by having all bridges carefully measured before they are accepted. The lesson of honesty in public contracts has been taught as completely as it could be if Mr. Bader were required to remain in'prison the maximum period of time. His life has been one of probity prior to his downfall in the bridge business. His reputation has suffered by his exposure and with the stain upon his name he must now stai4 at the bottom of the ladder, practically penniless,

and we believe the qualities of honor, worthy a trial at freedom and that the parole board and the governor will be doing an act of justice as well as one of charity if they grant him release at this time. And we believe that the great majority of Jasper county people will feel that hehas received severe punishment and should be given all the freedom that a parole means. j The law is for corrective and not persecutionary purposes. The people are charitable, even forgiving, and thb law having satisfied its correctional purpose, the people are certainly charitable enough to extend to. Clinton L. Bader his release from prison and an opportunity to engage in some business for the‘care of his family.