St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-22
THE HHIPpIYG PosT.

The brutal fiogging of a prisoner in Win
nipeg not long time ago, who had escaped
and been recaptured, produced no little ex-
element and indignation in that city and
region. That prisoner should be brutally
whipped for the offense was considered TO be
beyond the verge of deceney, humanity and
civilization. The Attorney General who or
dered and was responsible for the whipping
was severely denounced by the press and
people. He was burned in effigy and made
the object of public SCORE and obloquy, de-
risive contempt. AS a result he was driven
from Office and obliged to resign his official
position. Public sentiment was right in this
instance, and the brutal official who ordered
the whipping quailed before IL.
This popular outburst against a fragrant
wrong is bearing fruit. The Ontario govern
ment is said to have decided to abolish fog
ging in the Central prison. This is believed
to be direct result of the fogging affair at
Winnipeg, and its outcome.
A resort to the whipping post for minor
offenses is a revolt toward the advanced civ
iliZation of the present day. The retention
of the lash, as a mode of punishment is no
credit to any penal code, unless an excep-
ton be made in the case of wife-beating,
which is quite too prevalent at this day, and
for which there is no adequate penalty. The
brute who will cruelty assault and beat his
defenceless and helpless wife, whom he has
sworn to protect and cherish, may be just
subject of personal chastisement, even by
Jogging. Civilization, humanity, Christ
ianity, can hardly advance to such point Of
refinement, as to revolt at the public flogging
at the whipping post of wife-whipper.
The sentiment of the Canadian people
against the use of the lash as mode of pun
ishlnent is creditable to them, and it is cred
table to the Provincial government to have
acted in accordance with that recently aroused
sentiment in abolshing Jogging in the Cen
trail prison. Flogging as a punishment
is a badge of barbarism. In addition
to the physical suffering which it in
| hicts IL is a work Of disgrace and
personal humiliation which will crush out the
spirit of even the stoutest heart, when in
licted for trivial or minor offenses. The
Toronto Telegram, remarking upon this sub
ject, has some data in regard to floggings in
the British army which is pertinent:
.'At one time iogging was carried 10 excess in
the British army, but after years of agitation it
has been done away with. Oae of the most
famous cases was that of Alexander Somerville
now of Toronto, who was logged while in the
army for a trihing ofense. His case Was taken
up over the length and breadth OF Great Britain.
and called forth indignant remonstrances from
the leading men in the land. This was nearly a
half of century ago. 1t probably did more to
bring about the abolition OF logging IN the army
than any other case. Within the present century
the most revolving scenes of military fogging &C.
CURED. In 1877 three soldiers met with others
in public house at Tower Hill, London, where
at length fight ensued. court martial being
held, Thomas Hayes. Francis Hayes and George
Stamford were ordered to receive eight hundred
lashes each. The execution of this sentence, so
disgracefnl to a ciyili2ei country, was com
menced. but after Thomas Hayes, who was only
twenty years of age, had received six hundred
and seventy lashes the surgeon pronounced his
life to be in danger and he was therefore carried
away. Francis Hayes, only sixteen years Of age
received three hundred and sixty five lashes, and
George stamford, only seventeen years of age,
received two hundred lashes. The latter two
had their sc ntences committed on agreeing 70
Join condemned regiment Bad as logging is
in this country il will be seen that in England at
one time it was simply inhuman.''