DS as president, one page both sides, 9.5 x 14, February 15, 1922. Presidential pardon reads, in full: “Whereas E.W. Poth was convicted in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas of obstructing recruiting and enlistment of the military forces of the United States, and on May thirty-first, 1918, was sentenced to imprisonment for eighteen months in the United States Penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas; and Whereas, on March fourth, 1919, the said E.W. Poth was released on parole, and was finally discharged from custody on or about September eighth, 1919; and, Whereas since his release he has conducted himself in an exemplary manner: Now, therefore, be it known, that I, Warren G. Harding, President of the United States of America, in consideration of the premises, divers other good and sufficient reasons me thereunto moving, do hereby grant unto the said E.W. Poth a full and unconditional pardon, for the purpose of restoring his civil rights.” Signed at the conclusion by Harding and countersigned by Attorney General H. M. Daugherty. Horizontal folds, with a few small repairs to reverse of folds, moderate toning and soiling, and scattered creases, otherwise very good condition. The large red embossed seal is slightly worn and toned, but intact. Accompanied by a negative photocopy of the pardon with a metal tag taped to it stamped “POTH 74314.”
To repay their work in getting him to the White House, Harding appointed the ‘Ohio Gang,’ with Harry M. Daugherty as attorney general, to office. Led by Daugherty, they schemed to permit alcohol dealers to operate in violation of Prohibition, to sell federal posts and, perhaps worst of all, to issue presidential pardons for monies under the table. After Harding’s death, these pardons came into question when Coolidge formed a congressional committee that unveiled extensive violations and illegal practices that led to Daugherty’s resignation and further legal prosecution. A rare presidential pardon, signed by both Harding and Daughtery, at the focal point of the investigations that exposed the Cabinet’s corruption. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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