The Republican journal., 1882-04-27

The question we have heard most frequently
asked during the past week is, ''Wh hat will they
do with Cunningham. the Cherryfeld murder
err Well. we will tell you: Cunningham has
plead mot guilty" and although in his case this
plea i e-faced lie. and everybody who saw
the deed done knew it; yet such is the care tax
en- in all free and enlightened countries to pro-
tect the rights of persons accused Of crime that
Mr. Cunningham will be brought before the
proper tribunal. 4 jury will be impaEelled. the
evidence will be heard-and he will undoubted-
" be found guilty.
What then: Wen. then the Judge will, with
much solemnity, sentence the murderer TO life
long imprisonment in the State Prison at Thom-
aston.
And then: Thcn--Such is the refinement of
modern civilization, and such the OVERRIDING (for
notwithstanding all our philanthropic friends
may say to the contrary Il good thing mag be
overdone) of humane efforts for the ameliora-
ton Of the condition of imprisoned criminals
TINS miserable murderer will be carefully
GUIDED III the well warmed, nicely lighted. and
carefully ventilated workshops of the Maine
state Prison, where he will be set TO work at
some respectable trade. (Ry the way if the
e'"te had taken him in charge some years soon
er, and learned him trade, instead of leaving
nm to amuse himself with amatory adventures
Whllr supported for years by his parents. the
murder would perhaps have never happened.)
lie VIII be provided with comfortable sleeping
apartment, and will be regularly fed with
Il
genlous disposition, the future visitor at Thom-
aston will find the murderer's cell prettilv fur
nlshed. its stone floor hidden by Il bit of brlls-
sels carpeting. the walls covered with pictures
ana over the door a little showcase containing
our genlleman's photographs and many lit
tlt ornaments and curiOsities made by him in
lelsle hours for sale to visitors, that his supply
OF pocket money may not run low and his sup
ply OF pipes and tobacco be duly replenished
II any lncautiouS visitor should point him out
to a friend with the remark ''There is Cum
nlngham, the Cherrytield murderer" the gen
tlemanly warden will put his finger to his lips
and say softly, 'IIush. they don't like to be
pointed at, or spoken about like that" Our
gentleman's feelings would be hurt, forsooth.
As matters now stand this will be Cunningham's
future And the carriages and shoes and other
products of his handiwork will be put upon the
market and sold in competition with the work
OF the free and honest mechanics of the State.
Then he should be hung: No, let no attempt
be made TO cancel Mrs. Sprague'S murder by
getting any honest and innocent citizen of Maine
to commit another. But let us paAjM him. 1t
Is too late to reform willfu murderer. Take
this miserable man and dress him in Il parti-
coi0red prison suit; rvet to his ances heavy
ball and chain; put the word ''murderer' in
bold letters upon the fellows back. put a guard
over him, and then put him to hard work in
some public place. Let him break stone in a
quarry, or on the public highways: let him do
heayy drudgery i'll our mines; make him dig
earth for our railways; keep him silent all the
time. Give him coarse food and allow him no
luXurles. Mount Desert Herald.