Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1875-02-04
Correspondence.
Augusta Letter.
come
AUGUSTA, Jan. 20, Is.

]
This afternoon was the time appointed
by the Judiciary Committee for a hearing
on the capital punishment question. The
Representatives Hall was thronged with
men and women eager to hear what good
reason could be given why he who com
mits wilful murder should not be hung.
AT the appointed time. Mr. Emery. chair
man OF the committee, rose aud stated
that the hearing would be three hours ::
that the petitioners for the repeal should
speak first and the remonstrants follow.
aud the petitioners reply; but that the
hearing should close At the expiration of
the three hours.
The debate was opened by Rev Mr.
Quimby of the Gospel Banner. and was
principally a history of the galow. in
Maine and its effect; with a statement Of
the result in those States which had abol-
ished capital punishment.
The next speech was from Hon. Geo
Talbot OF Portland. A careful observer
readily detects in him the elements OF pow
era clear, logical, cultivated mind Il
pleasant voice. fluent speech, elegant die
ton, and very definite ideas, arranged in
such natural succession that the atten-
tiye listener easily understands and re-
tans them.
\ few of his points were, that this law
was not to influence the great masses. the
good and the pure. II was only one in
many thousands who had il in his heart to
commit murder, and of this small number
only very small percentage were in cir
cumstances which tempted them, or had
the opportunity 10 do it. But when the
man, the time, the circumstances and the
opportunity all combine. then it is that the
death penalty restraints. The lower a
a mans moral status the stronger his in
stinct to cling 10 life. Suppose man ut
terly destitute OF all the finer feelings
which most men possess, thoroughly tinct-
ured with lendsh cruelty, stranger TO
any feeling of mercy. honor or compass
sion He meets his enemy alone. and has
murder in his heart; disposition, tempta-
AaCA ehN OBPOA eDtll
be commit the deed? His mind hangs in
the balance as he makes the decision
Here, the lighter weight will turn the scale
either way, and here the fear OF death ap-
peals to his brute instinct, and prevents
the deed. Other points made and well
sustained were that the murderer has
proved himself dangerou,, and hanging
prevented the possibility OF his killing any
more; that Lynching in California and
Andersonville prison, Immediately arrested
murder in those places. The man who
murders under great provocation he would
punish severely, but not with death. He
who kills the seducer of his wife or daugh-
ter Is not so bad as he who kills for money
or small offence, and should not be SO Sc
verely punished. This was a strong point.
and Mr.. Talbot sustained it we'll; but was
so unfortunate as to select Stokes as his
example. Now as some grasp principles
only through their exemplincation, the Sc
lection was a great mistake. and in Pills
bury's reply he turned it On him with force.
Said be, "Stokes had great provocaiion,
didn't pa quarrel with Jim Fisk over a
lewd woman
A few of MI. Pillsbury's points were that
the gallOws is no protection to society,
that every mans moral nature and self
control are limited; that even If death on
the gallOws ID good enough for the mur-
hat 10
innocent family; that the murderer does
not intend to be caught and hence does
rot consider the penalty, and that the YER
lict Of jury may be incorrect. and inno-
ent men hung.
Mr.. Pilsbury's face plainly indicates that