Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-02-19

tract from the speech OF the honorable SEN
ator from Cumberland, (Mr. ReeD delivered
on this floor last winter, tabular compara-
tive statement of crime in England for the ten
years immediately prior and subsequent to
the time when capital punishment for the Of
lenses of forgery, DEMONSTRATING and arson
was done away with in that country.
Crime. Executions. Committals.
en m fsa 1879 ends 1889 ends 1873 ends 1859
Forgery, Ga .46 ~
Horse Stlg,46 1826 l,8o
Arson, las 50
These figures require no comment. But
unfortunately for us we have been making
history in our own State during the past sea-
son. Our present executive had dared to ex-
ecute the law which the legislature had placed
upon the statute--and all honor to him for
that-by issuing his warrant for the execution
of prisoner condemned to death. This at
once startled the public mind The press
over the entire State was teaming with ar
ticles upon the subject, and even the pulpit
was not silent. Finally the matter came be-
fore the legislature, when, after an able and
exhaustive discussion, it deliberately decided
that the relic should remain. The soul Of
Clifton Harris was by the hand of man sent
before its Maker for Judgment, and his blood
for veal or for woe, rests upon the hands OF
the members of the last legislature. Now
what has been the effect Of that execution?
Has our State witnessed any outrages since
that timer Has the life of the citizen been
rendered any more secure by the killing of Har-
ris? Five deaths by violence at different times
and places within our borders since that exc
cution, attest what a little regard the murder
er has for the laws when he has formed his
fiendish plans. The foul, cold-blooded, heart
rending murders in Penobscot, the distressing
tragedies at Portland and New Sharon, and
the painful homicide at Standish, all within
ten months! What equal period, during the
whole thirty years when the laws were not
enforced and the punishment was practically
abolished, can produce such chapter! And,
gentlemen, do you desire to have this chapter
repeated this year and next? If SO vote with
the gentleman from Winterport to indefinitely
postpone the bill before US.
l have not said anything of the infallibility
OF human Judgment and of many other weighty
reasons VIII we should carefully consider the
matter be core us. But Mr.. Speaker, "Thou
shalt not kill' is a divine law, and shall we
not be content with restraining the liberty of
the murderer and keeping him from harming
others while he remains on this earth, and
leave it to Him, who doeth all thugs we'll"
in His own good time and way to infiict His
own punishment upon one of His creatures
who has violated one Of His laws?
Mr.. HAYES said:
Mr.. SPEAKER.-As l introduced the order
directing the Committee on Legal Reform to
inquire into the expediency of so amending the
laws as to abolish Capital punishment, and as
this bill providing for the adjustment Of the
death penalty is the result of that inquiry, it
would naturally be supposed that should ad-
vocate its passage, but shall not argue it at
any great length. Mr.. Speaker, This ques-
ton of abolishmg the death penalty is no new
question: question of the moment 1t is a
question which has long excited the minds of
thinking men, and more especially during the
pastyear. The Legislature Of 1869 considered
this question of abolis. ng the death penalty,
and it was discussed by the ablest men, both
in the House and in the Senate, and their ar
guments both for and against it were sent
broadcast over our State. Earnest, thinking
men, who profess to be acquainted with the
working and effect of capital punishment, have
during the past year, through the public press,
given us their views and opinions upon the
subject; they have shown US by statistics that
the numbers of murders are comparatively
less, in our own State, and in other States and
countries, when and where the crime is not
punished by death, than where the death PEN
atty exists and is enforced; if such is the fact
it is conclusive that the death penalty and its
enforcement is not only unnecessary but wrong
and productive of crime.
l think it will be admitted by all that the
death penalty is justifable only when it is alb
solutely necessary for the protection andp
ervation of human life. No one think, will
deny but what the time has been, when it was
absolutely necessary, and no one dare doubt
but what the time will come, (if it has not al
ready when it will not be necessary. Then
Mr.. Speaker, the question now is has not that
time already come? In answering that ques-
ton let us not forget that man is a progressive
being, his tendency is onward and upward,
and is it not better, far better to be one step
in advance than one step behind? We should
be cautious in advancing, but not timid, We
should have evidence, but not wait for GER
tainty Now it seems to me Mr.. Speaker,
that we have sufficient evidence in this case to
warrant our taking this step toward higher
degree of civilization and christianity.
Mr.. CUSHING of Sidney offered an amend
ment to the act referring the bill directly to
the vote of the people at the annual meeting
Sept next. The amendment contained speci-
flcations how it should be submitted. He
said he did not propose to discuss the original
bill. As the gentleman from Richmond says,
it has been thoroughly and ably discussed for
the last year or more by the press and among
the people. In the last legislature the subject
was under debate in this House some week
or ten day. Arguments on both sides were ably
presented. The vote in this House was large
" in favor of Capital Punishment. Mr.. Speaker
that discussion and that vote did not satisfy
the public sentiment 1t leA disturbing ele-
ment in the public mind, tending to produce
discord and factions where and when we be-
lieve we should have for public interests, unity