Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-02-15
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.
THE NEW YORK ELECTRIC METHOD
COMPARED WITH HANGING.

The electric method Of executing criminals |
adopted by the state OF Now York is attract |
Ing attention in every part Of tho country. |
One Of its warnest advocates In ST. Louis is !
Judge c. Normue, judge Of the criminal
court. As tho one judicial officer Of st. Louis
who tries men for their lives, his udy of the
execution subject has not alone been by
books, but by observation He is a member
OF the New York Medico-Lesal society, an
association of doctors and lawyers, which has
correspondents in Europe and throughout
America Judge Normilo is vice president OF
tho society for Missouri.
SAYS HANGING Is BRUTAL
at has been alleged that electricity does
not kill quickly, eaid tho Judge. Thisis the
view Of Dr. Hammond. Fell, l do not con-
slider his statement as Of great weight. His
inaccuracies have been too many on other
matters. However, L am led TO think that
before New York adopted the electrical pro-
cess there was a conviction in favor of tho
wire rather than of tho barbaric rope. 1t is
u step in the direction Of humanity. Hang
ing is a disgrace TO our age. 1t is brutal to
an extreme and every brutal act begets it
self 1t has debasing influence on all who
witness it. In my experience as prosecutor
and judge, have, in eighteen years, noticed
a constantly increasing prejudice in the jury
box against capital punishment. Jurors can
not serve because they are opposed to it."
"Are you committed to its abolitionin
"Opposition TO every form Of death punish
ment is growing. As member of the Med
ico-LegGl society, I have been requested to
use my influence in favor of the enactment OF
law in Missouri resembling the New York
electrical statute While l may not be able
to do all that / would wish TO, / will commu-
nicatc with members of the Legislature in be-
half Of IL totthe extent of my ability"
The Judge is in favor, as he las always
been, of privacy in executions and less news
paper notice OF the event. He deprecates the
show features of hengings, and approves the
Ohio and Missouri enactments for few spec
tators and pid work. He has had expe-
rience in sentencing, and, as prosecuting
attorney, in securing the conviction of crir0i-
mails. As circuit attorney he prosecuted
and convicted ten men vino were executed,
and as judge he has sentenced three to be
hung.
~ have seen but ono of them executed, and
that was when serving as circuit attorney
1t was against my wishes to see it. but it vas
my purpose TO sec justice done decenuy and
as the law directed"
THE gui.lotinc is worse than the rope, -
said the Judge "Thore is an inloxication in
the sight of blood with some depraved nat
ures Tho Spanish Farrotc system Of ezecu-
ton. which | once saw in Cuba, is less objec-
tionable, as it insures speedy il not instanta-
neous death"
The Judge became discursivc on the topic.
His examination into the legal and physical
aspects of the subject caused him to say:
"Our Anglo-Saxon ancestors, from whom we
have rived our notions of crimes and pun
ishments, we're brutal Only 80 years ago
= there were upon English statute books 2lI
. ofTenses for which the death penalty was
prescribed. The hanging, drawing and quar-
] tering process bespeahs a sense Of humanity
@ below the level Of Comanche Indian. The
Il student Of criminal Jurisprudence in inyestt
Be- cation of ancient notions is appalled,. MOI
have we altogether outgrovn the brutality Of
: orr ancestors For poaching or shooting {
~ rabbit or for trivial offenscs OF any sort tn,
T. carnival of blood went On, and there was
h terrific slaughter of humanity which oul
e later civilization is slowly rcbuking.'
y JUDGE NooN.>y's VIEWS.
=. judge E. a. Noonan, Of the court of Grim
inal correction, submitted very pleasantly t,
an interview on the subject in the interval O
judicial dispensation. His views aYo directly
opposed TO those of his colleague. Although
in his court mercy tcmpers justice and he i
personally and at heart kindly generous, h
believes in the most rigid punishment o
murderera a. necessary protection 20 society
81 do rot bolicyo il the electricity propose
ton, " he said 1t tends to make death Gas.
and dicnidel We want our murdcrcrs t
realize the horrors Of the rope and the gal
lows III nv long experience as prosecute
and Judge have met many murdorers, an
in every case these men were afraid of tn
rope. They do not know how painful it i:
They do not know how long they may han
and struggle, especially if the hanGman
nervous and makes a mistake. Every ma
always asks the sheriff TO do a good job an
to do it quickly"
Continuing, Judge Noouan said: I'VE d
not in this advanced age look upon hangin
as reheccing tne eye for an eye or tooth for
tooth idea Of our ancient law makers. "
must protect society by fear when desiu,
with the animal natures Of SO many mel
The fear of he'll or hope Of heaven has no c
feet upon 4 murderer, tho burglar, the ga
rotor and midnight assassin. The burglar WI
knew that he was TO be burnt at the stake
he went into q house would rather risk BEN
caught and risk death by more painle
system than eternal Ere and torture. The
dangerous floss OF life and property must
taught severe lessons by example l az
therefore, against the New York method
is pleasure TO die in that manner. 1t isl
matter of fear to the criminal, while the d
graceful ignominy Of the rope has horr
even 10 the most depraved For exampl
men who pray to he shot, and, as they say,
die 'honorably,' or men who suicide rath
than face the moose. No, sir; you can quo
n4o as in favor Of hanging, and more Of
My idea would DO 10 have the wretch sun