The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-10-07


amendmentain the coming elections.
The Recent Execution In Kentucky.
The account which we published on Tuesday
of the scenq and incidents attending the hang
ing Of Allan B. Eggleston, at Newport, Ky,
furnishes ill further proof Of the neces-
sity of som, immediate action to prevent these
frightful occurrences at public executions. II
anything could move our legislatures into en-
acting laws and providing against such horrible
blunders il seems that the events at Newport,
KY, would be sufficient. The idea, in the first
place, Of making circus exhibition Of
public execution is of itself an outrage which
belongs to the middle ages rather than to the
nineteenth century. But it seems that every
arrangement possible was made on this occa-
sion to exhibit the culprit as he was swinging
Off from time into eternity. The ground
where the gallows was erected was selected
with the special view Of accommodating as
many spectators as possible. Tens Of thou
sands of people gathered to witness the affair,
and the public authorities appeared to pay
more attention to gratifying this propensity OF
the spectators than they did to performing
their work in o decent manner. The result
was precisely as might have been expected
one of the most disgusting and revolving mis-
haps occurred that has ever taken place in this
country. As the trap fell the knot in the
moose about the prisoners neck gave way,
owing to q blunder in tying the guard knot, and
the body Of Eggleston was precipitated to the
ground, striking upon his head, cutting two or
three gashes, while the Skipping Of the rope
produced CHASTITY wound on his neck. The
victim was taken back to the scaffold and once
more swung Off.
We have had occasion frequently of late
to refer to the bungling manner in which
executions are managed in some of the
States in this country. But this affair ex-
ceeds anything that has preceded it, and
mediate reform. One of our contemporaries
uses the occurrences at this execution to
strengthen its argument in favor Of abolishing
the gallows altogether. Horrible as the affair
was, and revolving as it proved to be in every
particular, we cannot view it as furnishing any
reason for abolishing capital punishment,
but rather as additional proof that
thorough and radical reform is needed in our
system Of public executions. 1t is perfect
disgrace that they are permitted here, and we
trust that this will be the last Of the kind
that we shall be called upon to record. The
legislatures Of the different States should take
immediate steps and enact laws that will
prevent repetition Of such horrible spec
tacles. Not only should the practice Of making
public exhibitions Of executions be pro-
hibitcd, but the necessary precaution should
also be taken to prevent such tragic scenes
and deplorable accidents as accompanied the
banging of Eggleston.
In England public executioner is appointed,
and all sentenced to be hung are placed in his
charge, and he is required to carry out the
penalty Of the law. This is his business, and he
Is compelled to use all the skill in bis power in
performing this duty to the public. This course
Il also adopted in this city, and under it
there il no such thing as the drop being
wrong, the knot too large, or the moose slip
ping Cd and plunging the victim head first to
the ground. There is no knocking out the
brains, breaking the skull and decorating the
neck by laundering Encouragement, nor is the
deed performed in the circus or showman's
style; but at the appointed time the executioner
takes his victim, and, with the legal Witnesses,
performs the task assigned to him, without any
miss, flourish or ceremony. Such should be
the rule in every section Of the country. We
believe that only three or four States permit
public exhibitions or public shows to be made
of executions. We have adhered to the prac-
tice abrogated in Europe too long already.
We trust that the occurrence at Newport will
arouse the Legislatures Of those States to the
adjustment Of the system. Let . public
executioncr be appointed for every State
where capital punishment still exists, and let
him in all instances be compelled, under
penalty, 10 perform his work well, decently
and in order. Above all, this system Of making
public exhibitions Of executions should be
done away with The sooner this Is done the
better it will be for the reputation Of our peo-
pie and the country. In short, . thorough
reform Is demanded, and that, too, without
delay.
THR POWER OF PRoTEsrANrrsx IN THE PRESENT