The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1889-03-19

How Shall We Execute Our Criminals
The Garrote and the GuiuOtine-Death
by Prussio Acid-A Flash of Lightning
Is Best.
How shall we execute our criminalsl
To certain degree distressing question
to inquire into, but in reality most humane
invest cation. Experts are divided in their
opinions upon the subject, and when experts
disaSree-why, experts disagree Some hard
shelled experts of u very conservative frame
of mind nail their ColorS to the mast and hold
that Jack ketch's hempen moose, also known
as Judge Lynch's ''cravat,n is the proper
thing when in the proper place.
Others OF more advanced frame of mind
suggest the garrote. The guillotine also has
its advocates, especially among the inhabi-
tants of sunny France, and there are those
who favor pruSsic acid or some other violent
poison. Gas comes in for share of favor;
water has its disciples; but the enterprising
students of this country seem to be pooling
their issues in favor of electricity.
Not to be behind the times, an American
physician has invented a flash OF lightning,
said to be almost equal to the natural article.
In this instance il all came about through
the inquiries made a year ago by Commodore
Gerry's commission, appointed TO inquire
into more humane method of executing the
death penalty
At that time a select number of prominent
physicians were consulted and asked in the
interest OF science TO answer "a series of ques-
tious upon the subject of capital punishment.
Among the physicians consulted were DIR. E
J. Kaufman, graduate of Berlin, Paris.
Edinburgh Toronto and New York, and
gentleman who has devoted much time to
the study of electricity while pursuing his
medical studies
d.. Kaufman was much impressed with
the barbaritv of executions by hanging, and
before making his report TO the commission
began work upon an electrical machine,
which was TO produce a miniature flash of
hgatEiug or continuous electric spark twelve
iucnes long, and calculated Co produce death
in the tUO-hundredth part OF a second
This may seem To DE quick work, but it is
conuaratively slow when we take into con-
sideraJion that the genuine article, real
Lightning produces the fatal result in the
teii-thousandUh part of Hsecend-at least that
Is about as near as it has been accurately
gagged up to this writing.
One of the first questions asked by the
commission was in regard to death by prlIsso
eo.d or any other strong poison. Taking
prussic acida a basis, DR.. Kaufman replied
that there was a case on record in which q
man swallowed an ounce of prussic acid and
yet only expired twelve minutes later, after
suffering great agony DR.. Kaufman thus
concluded that pruSSic acid was not quick
enough and could not be relied upon, and in
al ktiou that prussic acid and its salts were
used in commerce, and that it would not be-
advisable to teach the public mode of death
which would be comparatively painless.
The second question referred to the garrote
and guillotine, and according to the doctors
replies, these systems are comparatively an
cient and barbarous, and nations employing
them were seeking for n more humane and
scientific method of executing criminals.
The garrote, says Dr. Kaufman, is worse
than hanging, as by its use death is only
caused by strangulation or suffocation. Suffo-
cation, he also claim, is the cause Of death
n the great majority of executions 10y hang
ing, and is the great objection TO the use OF
6he rope. In fact, if DR.. Kaufman remem-
oers rightly, statistics show that over so per
cent. of persons hanged die from suffoca-
lion.
One of the last questions asked the physi-
clans by the commission, said DR.. KaufT-
mann, was:
'''What would you suggest as better way
Of death in criminal cases, and what would
To,t suggest to compensate for the difference
N effect upon the criminal casesf or words
e that effect"
Death from electricity, replied the doctor
IN substance, either by shock or by a CONVEX
ZION of the animal fluids into gases, causes
very little change in the body. Indeed, the
greater the shock the less change there is in
5he body. Therefore death from an intense
Ihock, which would Kill a man in say the
Ine-hundredth part of a second, would make
90 visible change in the body. Now, as there
s an insUfiiciency in this country Of bodies
sor the purposes Of scientific research, DR..
EaufTmaun suggested that the bodies Of all
Il
the proper authorities for the purpose of sci
sntiic, pathological and physiological re-
Bearch.
In Dr. Kaufmann's opinion criminals
would dread such disposal of their bodies
more than death itself. Naturally it is adj
mitted that there are so few executions that
The bodies thus furnished would not supply
the demand but it is claimed that bodies of
criminals killed By electricity will be in such
good condition for scientific research that
they VIII prove Of incalculable value to
physicians.
The miniature flash of lightning outlined
by DR.. Kaufman could be applied 20 the
criminals either standing OF sitting down,
and the base of the skull is suggested as the
most suitable spot, though other physicians
favor the back Of the neck. 1t has also been
s7fr-asted that the criminal might be placed
N q room and that the air should be gradu-
ally withdrawn, thus giving the condemned
nan painless death. TINS system is objected
20 Is bong quite painful as hanging, for
death would be caused bv suffocation.
The fumes Of charcoal have also been advo
catad, bur are opposed on the plea that they
range with -lorine gas, one of the most
pungent gases, and accordingly charcoal
would cause a painful death. Carbonic gas
las also been talked Of as a comparatively
desirable form Of iniicJing death, but it Is
opposed on The plea that it Is not quick
enough.
After reviewing all the suggestions made
there would seem to be no doubt that cleo
sricItE VIII be the executioner's weapon in
the future, and that, combined with deliver
ing the bodies of executed persons to physi-
clans FOR the purpose OF scientific research, it
Will strike quite as much terror into evil
doors hearts as that well termed 'relic OF
barbarisn," tie hangman's noose.-New
Work Herald