rom the fact that the accused left
the State of Pennsylvania shortly after the date of the murder that
they were fugitives from justice, yet this character did not always
adhere to them; and that their long residence in Illinois, which
was so entirely unconcealed and well known, that the officers of
justice in Pennsylvania could have been ignorant of it only because
they made no effort to find it out, had purged them of the character
of fugitives from justice. It may be argued that this decision
rests on moral rather than on strictly legal grounds. It is
generally held that there is no limitation as to the time in recovery
of fugitives from justice other than such as may be established by
statutes of limitations of the Governments concerned, and it does
not appear to have been suggested in the case under consideration
that any such limitation had been established either by the laws
of Pennsylvania or of Illinois. The decision of Governor Cullom
may also be thought to involve the theory that the authorities of
the demanding State may be called upon to show that they have used
due diligence in pursuing the fugitives and in seeking their
surrender."

The decision created much comment at the time, some adverse,
suggesting that it amounted to the exercise of the pardoning power
by a Governor of one state for a crime committed in another.

My administration as Governor of Illinois was a very quiet, uneventful
one. I endeavored to give the State strictly a business administration,
and I believe I succeeded. I appointed the very best men that I
could find to State offices. I did not interfere with the conduct
of the various departments and institutions, except to exercise a
general supervision over them. I held my appointees strictly
accountable for the conduct of the affairs of their respective
offices, and did not attempt to dictate to them the appointment of
their subordinates.

During the six years I served as Governor there was not a single
scandal connected with the executive department of Illinois. I
never had the slightest trouble with the Legislature. I never
interfered in the organization of the Senate or House. I believed
then, and I believe now, in the independence of the three co-ordinate
branches of the Government. I no more thought of influencing the
Legislature than I would have thought of attempting to influence
the Judiciary. My recommendations were made in official messages,
as the Constituti