New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-05-09

The abolition of Capital Punishment-that 49, oil
the penalty If Death by the civil law-share' the
fate Of all other Humanitary Reforms in being no
longer pressed with earnestness or regaiuou WIN
popular favor in this State. 1t may not, however
be amiss TO watch carefully the effect oil the aooh-
tiou Of CAPITAL Punishment m those states winch
have tried the experiment.
Mr. George, a member of the Legislature from
Cbautauque County, instituted an inquiry in the
last Assembly into the expedency of action on
this subject, and made a favorable report, ac-
companied by official documents of Importance.
Among these documents is letter from Mr.. John
Mckinney. Secretary of State of Michigan who
writes that Capital Punishment has been abolished
in that State since June, 1Si6-over ten years.
During the six years preceding that change, with
an average population Of 275 900, there seren
teen convictions for murder in the State; while
during the ten years succeeding the change, with an
average population of at least 100000, there were
but tenty-tree convictions for murder whereas had
the ratio been equal TO that under the hanging
regime, there would have been thirty-ser,H. Mr..
Mckinney has no doubt that capital crimes have
been rendered more rare in Michigan by the aboll-
ton Of the galOws; and he closes his letter with
this strong assertion Il do not think it possible
" now to assemble body of men in our Legisa-
" ture who would be willing to assume the respon-
sibility Of restoring the Death Penalty
Lewis ID. Moore, Deputy Secretary of Maine,
writes that by the act passed by the Legislature of
that State in 1887, convict sentenced to death Is
to be sent to the State Prison and there placed at
hard labor for at least one year; after which he
may be executed if the Executive so directs.
Practically, but not legally this amounts to an
abolition of the Death Penalty, as no one has
been ordered to execution during the twenty years
that this law has stood the statute-book. Seven
persons are now in the State Prison under sentence
of death; while two or three others, under like
sentence have either died or been sent to the in
sane asylum. Mr.. Moore does not think the change
from Hanging TO this system has had any material
effect either to increase or diminish the crime of
murder"
John r. Bartlett Secretary of State of Rhode
Island. reports that the Death Penalty was abol-
ished by that State in January, l652-five years
ago. Only tuo persons have since been convicted OF
murder there: yet Mr.. Bartlett (whO is in favor Of
Hangng) writes that 'the crime of murder has
increased in this State since the penalty of death
was abolished at least three-feld but | will not
say as consequence of that change" Mr.
Bartlett thinks there is growing sentiment in
favor of Hanging in Rhode Island, and writes that
the Legislature was then about to take action on
the subject. That action has since been had but
the effort to restore the Death Penalty did not pre-
vail Such are the facts elected by Mr.. Georges
considerate and judicous movement. The time
may come wherein they may be made the basis of
action in New-YOrk.