Show COPPER ACT STJllN fORCf DOARYOF PABDONS KAS RE CEDED FBOht ITS POSITION 1 j In Executive Session Yesterday the Board Concluded to Std By the Old Rule ue Two weeks ago the queston was raised before the state board or pardons par-dons In executive session that under I the constitution no reduction of time served by convicts In the state prison could be granted for good behavior I unless each particular case came before the board upon formal application for pardon and lroeedlng were had In conformity with the act regulating the granting of pardons The concensus of opinion of the pardonIng board at that meeting was that the cop er act as It is familiarly termed was In conflict wIth the constitution which was construed as requiring a full hearing hear-Ing br the board after published not of Intention to hear each separate apPlication ap-Plication for reduction of sentence for good behavior as in case of pardon But the boad of pardons at an ex ecuthe session yesterday afternoon resied to dismiss the question upon which some of the members had held the iew that the point In contention PossesSed sound conSltutonal merit The effect of yesterdays decision will be th4 oath convict whose conduct Is certified to the board by the warden of the tate prison as havIng been ex emplary may continue to earn his coppersthat 18 reduction of sentence in increasing ratio by months without following the rtape procedure lad down for applicants for full and corn plete pardons A young attorney relying upon the recent legislative act known as the Soreson bill which tends to remove all legal doubts upon this question and which act becomes effective May 9 was preparing to sue out a writ of habeas corpus for a penitentiary convict con-vict to test the boards adverse conclusions con-clusions on this question but this of dc urse will aotnow be necessary |