St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-02-02
NO MORE STRANGLING
SolOnS Will Have to Solve the
Question Of Capital
Punishment.
Abolition of Existing Statutes
May Tend to Establish
Judge Lynch.
Representative Citizens EX-
press Their Views on an
Absorbing Topic.
Life Imprisonment Recon-
mended as Sufficient for
Who Commit Murder.

will shortly come before the Minnesota
legislature, and bill is in course OF
preparation, which seeks to abolish
this relic of ''barbarism, "as its promo
tiers term it. Opinions vary as to the
wisdom of such a measure and while
some favor doing away with strangula-
ton as an eXpiation of the crime of
murder, they are not prepared to state
what method should be employed to rid
the community of imitators of Cain. A
careful canvas made in the Twin Cities
among all classes of professional men
elected the following expressions:
Mayor Smith, am not in favor of
such bill. 1t is only the fear of death
that deters men from the commission of
crime. The percentage of crime has
been shown to be greater in states
whose statutes do not impose capital
punishment.
John w. Roche-I am opposed to the
believe that Imprisonment for life
should be imposed, and the pardOning
power taken from the governor and the
president. / once read of very good
theory, which was that the pardoDing
power be taken from them and vested
in pardoning commission, or board of
Judges, to whom would be referred all
such cases.
T.. g. Parker-It is an outrage. If
capital punishment is abolished in this
state am in favor of reSorting to lynch
law. 1t is the fear of punishment that
prevents crime.
Deputy John Lunkenheimer-Yes,
think capital punishment is all right.
We had virtually suspension OF that
law in this state some time ago, and
crime was not discouraged i'll any way,
you may be sure.
Deputy Clewett-I think they should
retain the present mode of punishment,
or some other good means of executing
capital punishment. | am not in favor
of abolishng it.
Deputy Clerk Champion-I care not
to say. do not believe in abolishing it
at any rate.
Dick O,Connor Don't know, but
think electricity preferable to hanging.
Jay Davis-Don't care to say.
Will B. Dedman-Boil them up in
stead of suspending them.
John Dodge-They tried to abolish
capital punishment in this state several
years ago. but statistics showed an in
crease Of crime. am heartily in favor
OF its continuance.
W. b. Smith-As a matter of fact, our
laws are not sufficiently stringent, and
many worthless men are fed and
housed at the expense of the state. Let
the good work go on.
Gen. w. F. CrOss-I would be greatly
surprised if the legislature should aboi-
lsh capital punishment, and would be
panied accordingly.
Traffic Manager W. S. Alexander, of
the Manitoba-If you abolish capital
punishment, you increase the judicial
sittings of Judge Lynch; so by no
means would | favor its discontinuance.
Mai. Landberg-A man who commits
a crime should be forced to pay the
penalty.
Oliver Dalrympe-I have not looked
into the merits of the question, but it
seems to me that the criminal classes
should be properly restrained.
f. w. Anderson-Life and property
must be protected, and when necessary
for the maintenance of good order, flavor
the death penalty.
G.. l.. Heiser-Put two criminals in
pit and let them fight it out with sledge-
hammers. and then introduce bear
into the pit to do battle with the win
n2r.
w. M. Jones-Criminals should be
given an opportunity to reform, and by
putting them in prison for life they
might become useful to themselves and
society.
P. B. Groat, General Emigration Agent
Northern Pacifc-Our laws should
be drawn up most stringently with
special reference to dealing with dan
gerous criminals. Capital punishment
Should not be removed from the statute
books.
j. P. McMartin-A criminal should
suffer for his own misdeeds, and not
become clog to the progress or society.
S. r. Ainsley, General Manager North
ern Pacifc-It may be relic of barbar-
ism. but am in favor of its cOntin-
uance.
A. c. Anderson-Law-ab citizens
should be protected from the assaults of
the criminal members of society.
Prison Inspector Edwin Dunn-Gen-
orally speaking l am not in favor of
capital punishment, but if the crime is
premeditated and carried out in cold
blood. the death penalty should be en-
forced.