The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-23
ROPE, AXE OR BULLET 7
Forms of Capital Punishment Discussed
by Imprisoned MurdererS.
HANGING ABHORRED.
MY God! Why Can't the Au-
thorities Shoot a Man?"
LAUGHTER TEARS AND GRoANS

The attention which scientific men have given the
subject of capital punishment within the last few
weeks has aroused an intense aud widespread in
terest Oh the question to the best Of put
ting criminals death. The terrible scenes which
have recently occurred at executions on the scaold
have created strong prejudice against hanging
among humane people. and nowhere is this feeling
stronger than in New York. All professions have
through the columns of tho HERALD, protested
against the barparity of the hempen moose in the
hands of ignorant inexperienced hangman.
Doctors. clcrgymen and scientists Of every class
have presented their views and suggested n remedy
Drowning, suffocatioH, electricity. garroting, the
guillotno and piercing the head have all been urged
moro certain. speedy and merciful means Of death
than the rope ana scatfold. But what have the
friendless unfortuuaes to say who the subjects
of this wordy debate? Has science consideration
for their feelings and opinions in the matter? Arc
not they best able anayze the o. the gbbct
in their months Of Imprisonment. with the one
thought constantly present in their minds?
OPPOSED TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
These reflections led HERALD reporter to visit
the Tombs. to learn from the lips Of twelve i'm
prsoned murdcrers what they had to say this
awful subject. He was courteously admitted by War
den Finn into the inner prison. Ascending fight Of
stairs into the first tier the interviewer halted In
front of the cell of William Burke. who stabbed and
killed Alice trckland in June, 1877 aud was cap.
tured III San Francisco last November
II am not in favor Of capital punishment" said
the prisoner. "It is Of the great evils Of the
age No intelligent charitable man is in favor OF
it. Ihave read and studied much on the subject.
and strongly against putting any man to death"
This the prisoner spoke in clear. loud voice. "Be
cause man commits q murder. is that any
excuse for committing another murder. ten times
more horrible, because committed In cold Mood?
II the taking . fellow beings life is some
thing which tho whole universe condemns. where
the people justified in sending before his Maker
q man in nine cases out of ten unprepared? An
other thing which is to be considered Is the possi-
bilify Of a mans innocence. oh. sir. everybody
knows that human justice may err. And what rep
araton have the people to offer for the murder Of
innocent man?" Burke paused for . moment and
then pressing his face close against the iron bars
continued in . low tone:-'Besides, It IL foolish to
say that society requires blood atonement.
When man is in State Prison for life society is
forever rid of him. and the State derives some
benefit from his work. The only At expiration for the
crime OF murder Is life time Of labor for wrongcd
people and repentance to an offended God. 1t Is
matter Of economy and that's something to DO con-
sidered."
'.uNcEnrA1N AND 1aNoM1N1ous"
"What means or execution do you think bestY'
''Well, hanging Is too ignominious and too uncer-
tain Idon't want to be dragged to scafold to
have rope put around my neck. and then to be
slowly strangled to death crippled by break in
the moose. would sooner die by drowning in
tank or be shut IN air tight room and sufocated
by the fumes Of burning charcoal. 1t must be nne
to go off unconscious. How can man think OF his
must suffer. If you take away the most horrible
features Of execution ones mind is tranquil enough
to make his peace with God. Look 1t the guillottne
1t is like butchering hog to cut a mans head or
and hanging is tar less merciful. don't think
90
II suppose you feel curious as to what the sensa-
ton OF hanging is?'
well. yes. 1 do and have often tried to imagine
It. But must confess my curiosity does not extend
to extremes That is, have no desire to expert.
ment." The reporter passed on with the prisoners
laughter ringing in his ears.
The next cell visited was that of Patrick McCor-
mack or. he is better known. Paddy the tramp
His offence IL the murder OF Thomas Welsh, In Q
drunken ft the day after last election. In
to inquiries he expressed himself as being unquali
fedly against capital punishment, as it robbed the
Creator OF life which He alone has the right take
away.
water OR wHIsKEYH
"But II he'd to die. said he "shure I'd loike to
hev mesef drowned in wather orr lin q conf
dog isn't death for poor divil who does wrong
whin he's out av OF his min with anger rum. II
1 dies want to die quick. an not be thinking av
suferin' al the tonne In jail. Shure it's enough
to take feller's life widout doin it II he niver
was good man or an innocent chile. Och. phat
does the wurruld know about murderer's sister or
mother Plat does 1t aither IL they die nv
shame at tho disgrace their boy" Patsey tried
be eloquent the subject of capital punishment,
but his emotion choked all uttersnce aud he vaspcd
out the last words with tears in his eyes The pris
told the reporter that not friend came to
him.
George Smith, tho colored steamboat cook who
shot his wife in Leonard street ON November 8, was
next interviewed to how he would prefer meet
his end. He seemed rather astoundsd ut the ques-
tons asked but. after he to understand
their purpose, he said :-"Of course I'm against capt.
tai punishment. suppose you have read where IL
No rogue ere felt the halter arsw
With good opinion VI the law"
Tho delivery Of the quotation was remarkably
good. after which Smith Continued
''sEND BULLET THRoUIl MY HEART"
'.of course don't mean by that to say I'm guilty
But don't want to be hung like dog. stand mo
Yes, sir, give the bullet before everything else
IL IL quick. sure aud mcrcful. But IN hanging
the law does not show as much mercy to tho muir
derer a he often shows TO his victim. It's pretty
hard to think Of being strangcd. And it's worse to
think of the rope being too long or too weak. My
end his trouble at oncc. But IL man got imprisou-
for life he would suffer more. and tnere would
DO nothing wrong in keeping him out of harms
way and making him work Tor what lie has donc.'
The next name on the black list which the Warden
Condor, who fatally stabbed John Lynch ia Eliza.
beth street election day. lilo Ia favor OF
capital punishment it did not agree with tho laws
OF nature. Hanging better adapted to he pccu-
liarities of lower animals than TO those OF human
beings. The disgrace Of the halter bad as the
actual physical suffering. and the contemplation OF
death by that means enough TO drive a
criminal insane Condor stated that did
not think the fear OF the aows prevented more
than the fear OF lifelong imprisonment. "As for
ownng, said lie, LEAN speak OF that from personal
experience. fell into the North River ono winter
night and was caught under piece OF ce There 10
FUN in II can tell you. II you throw man IN
tank he would struggle horribly. II you hand.
cutied him. l am very much against cutting tho
head OF, because it's inhuman. Tho only way to
kill man who must die Is to make him insensible
and then let him die by the The laws
intent not to inlet suffering. but to end life which
IL injurious TO the community. The best way Ia to
conhne man in an alright room and I'LL II with
gas or burn q charcoal hre lie could be dosed with
chloroform and then taken to the execution room.
The proper witnesses could him during the time
through small windows In tho walls nigh up that
they would be out OF his reach A council Of ply
| sicians could then judge when he dead 1t 10
the only way would choose to die II 1 was con-
vcted and sentenced. don't believe In electricity,
tor IL II failed to kill al the agony Of the
| death would DO awful. Ughl when think Of Il II
makes my blood run cold. The garrote isnt bad
| idea, but 1t IL too slow"