New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-03-22

fects of the substituted law. The Chief-Jusbce OF
the State SAYS:
Although opposed to the present law when passed
am equally opposed any change in II until the eApe
ment has been tried long enough 20 satisfy us I ~
failed. am clearly Of opinion that the pfeu con
tnue 10 be until IL is satisfactorily shown ma ul
against life have been considerably increased y, yng
that conviction for murder il far more certain ~
\ proper cases. than when death was the puhishhe"'
/ Tor il.
/ The Attorney General Of Rhode Island under date
! of January 26 1867. concludes rs follows:
Our people do not desire 70 capital punish
nent, although minority woud OF eonrse' i"Voi "
I turn.
! Nelson Wall. the Warden of the State Prison,
writes under datelof July , 1868:
The crime Of murder been more frequent since
the abolition OF the death penalty. on the contrary,
considering the OF population since 1851 IL las
diminished.
The testimony as to Rhode Island is conclusive.
and ought to have its influence with contiguous
States in urging legislative action in similar drec
ton.
Wisconsin abolished the gallows in 1853; and as l
took an active part IN that closely contested legsla
tive battle being Chairman Of the Senate's Commit
tee which reported the bill. can bear testimony 10
the beneficial effects which have followed the law of
imprisonment. AS official statements are more salts
factory. however than mere assertions l introduce
the testimony of the Prison Commissioner of that
State under date Of Nov. 16 1889 who writes as fol-
lows:
The whole number confined here for murder in the
first degree since the law went into operation SIX years
10 twenty. AS a general thing those confined Tor
murder are much better men-nen OF integrity,
words can place more reliance who nave better
moral perceptions and altogether OF hi gber order
of beng than those confined minor oenses The
abolition OF capital punishment cannot but nave Dehc-
fetal effect. AS am Of the opinion that like produces
hike II cannot otherwise than that the adoption OF
Christian system by the state Government must pro
duce a Christian feeling among the governed.
EDWARD VI. MCGRAw, STATE Prison Commissioner.
Commissioner Cordier writes as follows, under
date Of Nov. s. 1867
Capital punishment abolished IN Wisconsin IN
1853 and 70 you who the leader Of the movement
workings of lie substituted law would hardly
uecessrv 10 sneak OF its effects vet may add that IL
has productive OF good rendering convictions
certain. and thus diminishing those crimes Which,
under the old law, could scarcely ever be punished
Gov. Wasbburne in his recent message, thus
speaks Of the effect Of abolition in Wisconsin,
Since the abolition Of the death penalty there have
been tired. convicted and sentenced 70 the pententary
FOR life Sc persons IN all OF that number 80 now re-
main. having either died been pardoned or
dscharged by proper authority There be no doubt
that the change the law has rendered punishment
have most carefully considered he question. a. We'll a.
my own, state that but for that change IN tne
would have escaped all punishment. difficult Is con
ycfiou when the penalty is death. In the i've years
mat elapsed prior 20 abolition, from lS4s % 1883 nave
mo- know of more than person having suffered
the extreme penalty OF This not because
vicfion.
have taken some pains to what the conduct has
been those convicted for murder who nave been dis
charged from prison bv pardon; and have ialled 10
learn OF any instance where the person uad rendered
himself amenabe 70 punishment by the violation OF law
On the contrary So tar a. known they nave pfOve9
honest and peaceabe citizens eNlrtlheN ctreIu anu
crcumspect their intercourse With their telOwnen
Here. again. We are furnished with the concurrent
testimony Of the Executive of the State and the
wardens OF the prison, not only to decrease IN
the crime of murder. but also as 20 the uniformly
good conduct of those confined for that onense. l
resided IN Wisconsin for ten years prlor 10 the
abolition Of capital punishment, and recall but one
execution during that period The last two trials in
Milwaukee under the old law resulted in the acquit-
tai of the defendants. although both were clearly
g7filtv. The law became nullity but, being at
length superseded by a statute less revolving to
humanity. there is not the slightest obstacle 10
conviction where the proof Of guilt Is clear
The question viii now be asked, Why should the
repeal Of the capital penalty decrease those crimes
formerly punished with death Why should the
States of Michigan, Rhode Island. and Wisconsin
show better record than those States where the
raUows is retained ~ To which l answer: The
reverence for human life which those States are
now intoxicating in the minds of their people by re-
fusng iudicially to murder criminal prisoners has
ALREADY had salutary effect upon the morals OF the
inhabitants. who are constantly reminded that lie
:
Of The state and to the extent that this idea pre-
walls viii be found increased security for human
life For this reason TO which add the greater GER
taiutv Of conviction under the law OF imprison-
ment. homicdes have decreased in those States
winch for 50 many years, have turned away from
the bloody law"
Iowa. Oh the 10Th Of April last, cast aside the
hempen ropes. and declared through her Legislature
that benceforth no Judicial murder should take place
within the borders of the Commonwealth. Inc COD
test was bitter one in the Senate, but the stead
fruess of our friends gave the victory TO the right
Since the repeal Of the death penalty IN tins state
the most erroneous statements conceivable III refer
ence 10 the operations Of the new law, have been
widely disseminated, not only by the secular but by
the re g0us press 1t has been asserted that murders
have multiplied in consequence Of the abolition,
and that the State would at once revive the old law
These unfounded statements took their origin II the
action in the Presbyterian Synod OF that state
which at its annual session last September, passed
resolutions in favor of restoring the death penalty
This SYNOD assigned no reason for Its action for II
had nope as the new law at that time, had been IN
o,era+ioD but about four months. Nevertheless
that norton Of the public which has never made
svnods It's study readily concluded that there must
he an alarming increase IN the crime OF murder When
religions body, at its annual cOnventlon' couId DE
induced 10 declare for the restoration OF capital pun
isbment whereas. no considerations OF pubhc poi
lev touching the safety Of society had entered INTO
the deliberations OF that body, II being purely
question of creed that prompted its action.
AT the recent session Of the Iowa Legislature
determined effort was made TO restore the gallo"s
but il met with overwhelming defeat al the hands
of the Legislature, thus, by its action, not only
officially refuting the ISLANDERS touching the new
law but also establishing the gratifying tact that
Legislative action in this country at least cannot
he directed by State synods ecclesiastical bodies
~. d. of the Indian gbbet are numbered