New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-22
NEH AGENT OF DEATH.

Nothing could be more complete In It's way
tbon tbc rcpo,t presented to the Legislature
Tuesday by Messrs. Elbridge I. Gerry Alfred
p Soutbwick and Matthew Hale, acting as
commission to investigate and ascertain inc
best method of inhicting the criminal death-
sentence. They have considered the question
referred to them in all possible aspects Win
the net result that they recommend the aboli-
ton Of the gallows and the substitution therefor
Of electricity If the commissions views are
enacted into law the Legislature will not be at
all in advance of public sentiment. The Amer
lean people are practically unanimous in deslr-
ING that the present cruel and clumsy method
Of execution shall be relegated among the other
b,rbarisms of punishment which belong to
barsbcr ace than the present. If human life
must be taken in defence of society. 1t should
be done as mercfully as possible.
Tn most countries the instruments OF the ex-
ccutioner are the sword and the gulllotne. but
the advantages they possess over the halter
arc not great enough TO make it worth while 10
change. They are quicker and surcr and tLey
mt an end TO all hope of resuscitation, but
they produce such CHASTITY spectacles as to
J,orrify the most stOlid of official lfe-takers.
The one fact which has operated
so long to retain the gallows in
tho Penal Code is that its VIC
TINS body. if il be disfgured. is at least entire
Tie is not mutatcd His blood is not drawn
Criminals whose moral instincts seem to be
vbolly gone and who have not enough spiritual
;tv 70 care for their souls. often display much
feeling concerning the fate of their dead
bodies. They should not be deprived OF the
SLIGHT satisfaction to be taken from the knowl-
edge that they can 60 to their graves without
suffering actual dismembermcnt.
Every claim of justice and every argument
Of mercy are satisfied by the use of electricity.
Concerning its efficacy in dealing the death
blow. the commission has produced voluminous
and convincing testimony. Eminent medical
and scientific men have furnished the commits
sion with the results Of experiments upon
| animals unite as tenacious Of life as man. and
have shown lust what machinery is needed
n carry ont the capital sentence. 1t could be
,rov;dcd at an expense Of from $3.50 to $500.
n would consist Of slightly reclining chair
with metallic head and foot rest. Into these
tho electrodes would be fastened. The current
would thus pass through all the centres of
function and intelligence and death would be so
:nst,rtaneous that sensation could not be pos
sible.
The commission concludes its report by sub
lifting the draft Of an act so amending the
present laws for the inilictiOn of the death
penalty as to carry out its recommendations.
The act proposes several reforms. All eNecu-
ems are 10 occur within the Enclosures OF a
State Prison convicts from the various coun-
ties being sent thither 30 soon as sentence is
;rnosed. The sentence shall specify week,
not more than two months off, within which
tho execution must take place. To the warden
Of the prison is left the naming Of the day
announcement Of which he is permitted to make
only to such persons as he shall expect to be
rrcscnt as witnesses. These are limited to his
donr,ics certain court officers. two physicians
and twelve other citizens, and two clergymen
% ,bev arc desired by the convict The body