The daily gazette., 1878-02-21
or 3E.glssEEsysf
The etrctcherT and Gsk-.Hang-
] Ang Men and Burning-Fear-

The 4tscteherT and Gss-.Hang-
ing Mon and Burning. .Fear-
"a ful Runfshme emit.
TRnNron, Feb. ,1o-fhs Senate
Chamber was denssly crowded tonight
during the investigation by the legisla-
tive eommitiee Of the charges of cruel
punishment inflicted upon convicts In
the New Jersey State Prison. Police,
officers, were stationed In the galleries,
and corridors TO toprevent any demonstration
IKE thst Of Friday night last. tTheo-
Gore Horn and samuel B. Lippencott
acting Inspectors, testified that they
visited the prison two and three times .
month. They never made any special
rules a. TO the punishment Of convicts.
They knew what the law prescribed -
punishment-confn In q dungeon
on broad and water for six days.
The keeper never asked for instruction
for the infiction Of further punishment.
They never gave Gen. Mott authority to
exceed the legal punishments. The only
knowledge OF punishments inflicted was
from the Marshal's book, and there was
no record Of the stretcher or gag In IL. If
there was any, other punishment than
confinement In dungeon the keeper
should have applied 10 the acting inspec-
tors for permission. The hanging q
man up Is against the law. Mr.. Horn
thought that the stretcher was the most
cruel thing he ever saw. Had not heard
any complaints made by convicts for the
past six months. Do not know the
cause Of this. The prisoners say that the
food is good. azl..riisf.ut
DR.. J. l. B. Ribble testified that burn
ing by alcohol has never been resorted TO
by scientific men as test for feigned dis
ease, bat that 1t has been used by rude
and inexperienced persons. The condi-
tion of the body Of Snooks, according to
the evidence of the County Physician,
would indicate chronic disease of the
brain: but such a disease would not
cause sudden death. It could not pro
duce death in fifteen minutes. There
must have been more marked appear,
ances II death bad resulted from disease.
There must have been violence used tc
cause Snooks's death. Although the
County Physician says that the heart and
IluDgs were healthy, he does not say
whether the right ventricle was engorgec
with blood or not. Witness tried tht
effect of the stretcher to-day. Bore thu
torture for q minute and a halfand coulC
stand It no longer. 1t is very crue
punishment, dangerous to health. II
would kill me,p he said, in fifteen min
utes, As II was, it reduced the tempera-
tture of my body and affected my brea
thing"
DR.. David warman had never heart
Of alcohol burning as test for feignet
disease. The stretching up Of man
If he had such disease as Snooks is sait
TO have had, would hasten death. Thi
witness tried the stretcher for two minu
tes and 1t gave him vertigo. He woult
mot try 1t again for any money. 1t is ;
dangerous and cruel punishment. .'
County Physician Maokenzie was re
called and said that he did not wish u
tretract any OF his former testimony. a.
contradicted Dr. Phillips. the prison
Iphysiciah's testimony by saying that tina
officer never told him that SnoOks ha'
died In the stretcher or had been punish
) ed. DIR. Phillips, he said. did not Civ
him information Of Shocks death. Bile.
the hospital steward, did so, and tolt
him that he died suddenly in his cell.
Thomas Leek, discharged conducto
! testified that he had seen men who ha,
4 been strung up come into the shops wit
their wrists bleeding, and men gagged $
I that they vomited. The superintendent
Of the shoe shops compelled men to d
. more work than they were able to do.an
If they failed had them reported an
punished. Witness had been discharge
because he would not report convicts fol
punishment.
Richard Howell testified that be as
sisted in carrying Snook's body to tn
: dead house, and that he was told that b
4 died on the stretcher.
The committee adjourned until Thurs
day afternoon. Then 1t is 10 visit tn
d prison, and take the testimony for th
prison officials In the evening.