The New York herald., 1851-08-11

of such loose character as to lead to error, and
We prefer to have, when it is practicable, original
documents published in full.
THs INCREASE OF CAPITAL CRIMss-THE Num-
BER OF OFFENDERS IN PRIsoN.-The publ, mind
has been shocked by the recent accounts of the pub
Lie executions in Maryland, well as startled by
the almost daily record of capital crimes commit
ted throughout the country.
It is lamentable to witness the rapid increase of
capital offences pepetrated even in this district,
ard never, to our recollection, has there been so
large a number of murders committed within SO
short period of each other, are now exhibited
by the criminal calendar. We have at present
four criminals convicted of murder under sentence
of death, and eight con6ned in the Tombs under in
dictment for murder, awaiting trial. Among the
latter number, fs male, named Ellen Doyle stands
charged with taking the life of another woman by
infictiDg bow on the skull with the leg of an
iron pot. The remaining Eve are men, named
Michael Mulvey, for shooting with pistol young
German, barkeeper in an oyster cellar in Chatham
street; Joseph Clark and John d. Blown, for III
ing policeman Gillespie, Of the Fourth ward; An
gelo Squarza, an Italian, for stabbing with knife
another Italian named Alexander Rovelli at drink
ing shop in Spruce street Antoine Lopez,
ter, another policeman of the Fourth ward. by
stabbing with a dirk knife William Moore, a
sailor, for stabbing with knife another sailor,
named William Taborn; and the last, James Sui
hvan, for the stabbing and killing Of Edward
Smith, in Cliff street, the particulars of which will
be found elsewhere in this days paper
Tie four now under sentence of death are
Henry Carmel, the Swiss who murdered with dirk
l.~.T IL -
took the lives Of the two sons; Aaron B. Stookey,
for killing with a knife negro, named Moon, at
the Five Points; James Wall, for killing q man
with knife, in q porter house, in Centre street;
and James Clemens, for murder on the high seas.
1t will be seen that three of the culprits are
under respite, granted by the executive of the
State. Clemens has been respited by the Prcsi-
dent of the United States. Thus our readers have
terrible catalogue Of crime, perpetrated within
the last year, and the majority of the cases within
the last two three months. From all appe NJ
ances, caIital crimes are still on the increase.
Now, it is the opinion Of many persons well versed
n criminal matters, that the fulGlment of our laws
is not sufficiently prompt. This has thrown upon
the community kind Of disregard for the admin
istration of criminal justice and has had tendency
to impress the minds Of those wickedly inclined,
that the daring the act perpetrased in the TAX
ing of human life, the better chance is there for
escape.
1t is well known that Carmel, Wall, and Stookey
were sentenced to be executed the second day Of
May last but the law was not vindicated in these
cases. in consequence of the interposition of the
ecutive clemency, by granting a respite. Whether
this act Of the Governor is to be considered praise
worthy, or beneficial to the public welfare, is mat
ter of (erta nj has al tar
ror to the minds Of evldoers and it has not added
in opinion, any additional protection to the
community, as stabbing and killing are fearfuy on
the increase, as show by the above statement of
persons awaiting trial. There is one fact clearly
visible-that since the respite Of these three men,
the use Of the knife has not by any means diminish
ed, and the lives Of our citizens have not been any
better protected.
Here we have two Of our municipal officers killed
within few weeks Of each other, and while in the
difcharge of their duty. Other outrages have been
committed citizens, with knives and dangerous
weapons, whose lives have been saved only by the
csance Of the occasion, and not by any means,
from any feeling Of mercy the part Of the assail
ants. II does appear to us, that there is Kind Of
epidemic in the recklessness exhibited with res
rect to human life, but whether this indifference
shown towards the lives of the pesceable portion Of
our citizens can be attributed to the wan, Of fully
carrying out the laws, il grave question, to be con-
sidered by those whose duties call them to consider
the subject. There is, however, one thing certain,
that as il becomes known, notwithstanding men are
eohvsted Of foul murders, there are to be found
always some philanthropic individuals to seek in
their behalf the clemency Of the executive so long
viii the murderers flourish, and the just sentence Of
the law will be evaded.
THE PREsIpEnr's TRIP TO TIE WHITE SUI