Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-01-11
METHODS OF EXECUTING.

the Legislature of New York that the |
method of executing criminals be reformed.
In 1886 the Legislature appointed COM
mission to consider other methods than
hanging, and report. That Commission
has agreed upon its report, and it will
soon be submitted. 1t advises the substi-
ton of electricity for the scaffold and the
moose. The criminal is to be placed in a
cell with his bare feet scared to a
moistened copper plate while he is seated
in chair. His hands are TO be drawn
above his head and secured to a stout cop
per rod suspended from the ceiling. At a
given signal powerful current of cleo
tricity is to be sent through his body from
batteries connecting with the plate and
rod, and between which the body of the
condemned will form q connection. 1t is
held that in this manner instantaneous and
absolutely painless death can be inflicted,
and without any Of the possible accom-
paniments of distortion or mistakes that
are liable to result upon the gallows. Gov
ernor Hill, in anticipation of the report, in
his recent message again urged the matter
upon the attention of the Legislature,
claiming that hanging is relic of the
dark ages, and inconsistent with the adj
vancement we have made in other respects
in our treatment of criminals. There is
great force in the argument Hanging
is a bungling and barbarous method of
dispatching criminals at best Electricity
can be used more. effectually and humanely
and is therefore preferable. If the State
of New York adopts the proposed new
method, as is most likely, the other States
will not be long behindhand in following
her example. The committee that is to
report are positive in their Judgment, and
by the testimony of scientists and physi-
clans have arrived at the conviction that
there can be no mistake concerning the
effectiveness and painlessness of the cleo
trical method. 1t is said the worst use
that can be made of a man is to hang him.
Not agreeing, however, with the sentiment
Of that adage, we believe that executing by
hanging is the worst possible means among
all now employed by civilized nations.
Beheading and shooting are infinitely pre-
ferable. Electricity presents itself as an
agency that robs the gallows and the
guillOtine and the gun of their offices, and
that involves the least possible cruelty.
1t ought to be employed, because it does not
mutilate or distort, it is instantaneous and
leaves the smallest possible margin for
mistakes by executioners, and it possesses
the virtues also of being very economical
and wholly unsensational
RECOGNITION of his worth and stead
fastness to the interests that engaged his
ability, has been appropriately made by
the Academic Senate of the University of
Michigan in honor of their late colleague,
the distinguished educator and physician.
DIR. Alonzo B. Palmer. DR.. Palmer served
the State of Michigan in the work of its
University for over thirty-five years.
Among our earliest recollections of edu-
Gators DR.. Palmer fills a large place. To
him more than any other man is due the
symmetrical policy of the medical depart
ment of that admirable institution. Even
in the outset of his career he proved that
he was pecu liarly fitted by nature for the
task Of building up and developing the
work of the University. In the midst of
his educational labors and the difficulty of
fashioning the school, he found time to
contribute valuable papers to the periodi-
cal literature of the country, and besides
prepared several books that gained wide
spread popularity. Among these was a
famous little work entitled "Temper-
ance Teachings of Science" This
was followed some years later
by larger work on "The Theory and
Practice of Medicine" DR.. Palmer never
committed himself to any judgment until
he had self-conviction that he thoroughly
understood it, and, wherever practicable.
he reached such conviction by practical
experience. Thus he spent year in the
hospitals of Germany and France, study
ing single medical topic by observation.
He filled several important positions in
the chief Medical Associations of the
country, and his learning won him hon
orary relations with a number of learned
societies in Europe His career was a
marked example of life devoted wholly
to the enlargement of knowledge, to re-
search for the benefit of his fellow-men
and the upbuilding of science. He was
one of the most unassuming of men, and
enjoyed the esteem and affection of all
pupils of the University with whom he
came in contact. The Senate, in its me-
mortal tribute, has done honor to man
in whom there was less of selfshness and
as much of devotion to his race as in any
philanthropist of the age.
All the rpDnrtc rou onraa that c,,o,,-