New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-18
DISCUSSING DEATH BY ELECTRICITY.
BoURKE COCHRAN AND THE ATTORNEY GEN
ERAL ARGUE BEFORE JUDGE DAY
At AUBURN,

Auburn, N. Y, Sept IL (spociaD.-The report OF
Tracey Becker, OF Buffalo. the referee appointed to
take testimony in the case OF Kemmler the Buialo
murderer, In Auburn prison under sentence TO
die by electricity, submitted 20 Judge 5. Edwin
Day, Of this county, in this city today and the
arguments of Bourke Cochran, OF New-York counsel
for Kemmer and Attorney General Tabor were heard
The testimony taken by Referee Becker made good
sized book. Mr.. Cochran arrived IN the city at
O:45 and at once proceeded 10 the prison, where
he had a long interview with Kemmler Judge Day
took his seat on the bench at IL 80 o'clock, ana
Mr.. Cochran began at once his argument against
the constitutionality OF the electrical execution law"
He did not cease speaking until 90 o'clock Dir.
Cochran said that out of the great number OF experts
examined by the referee, there was only one VINO
pretended to explain how death was caused by
electricity That one instance was the "chaflatah'
Harold p. Brown Brown testified that the nerves
were torn TO pieces. Experts who had examined
with the microscope the bodies OF many Killed by
electricity had testified in direct contradiction TO Mr.
Brown. From this Mr.. Cochran concluded that the
manner In which electricity caused death Is a
blank impenetrabie mystery. II death occurred In
every case of contact with electricity the fact that
Il left no tracks would not be objection 10 IL with
Mr. Cochran but when it acted differently upon
different men and when 1t impossible to tell Just
what voltage was required 10 cause death in GER
tain case It's use Of execution was certainly
improper Mr.. Cochran said that DR.. LOOMS, an
eminent New-York physician, had characterized the
Testimony of the electrical experts that electricity
caused death by breaking down the nervous system
as pure gibbersh. Speaking of the Wheatstone bridge
used In computing the resistance OF the human BODY;
MIR. Cochran said that 1t was an instrument designed
for the purpose OF measuring the resistance OF
IL was proposed TO use this In measuring the re
sistance OF Kemmler. Mr.. Cochran told Of some ex
perments made with the Wheatstone bridge at Edison
laboratory. Mr.. Hatch of Buffalo, was measured and
his resistance varied from 200 to 5000 Ohms. Inc
resistance of the reporters was greater than that OF
members of the bar =,
Mr. Cochran then argued that the provision OF inc
Constitution prohibiting cruel unusual punishment
granted kcmmler immunity from any electrical eN-
perments. In closing he repeated his assertions
made at the previous hearing that no one other than
the miserable wretch in the basement OF Auburn
prison has promised me any rewari for my services
In this case" Mr. Cochran said that the newspapers
had charged that he In the employ OF an elect1c
light company He did not notice these charges be-
cause he denied the right OF any editor 10 ask FOR an
explanation of his conduct. lie thought however,
thai he owed tho court who had listened to him this
statement. - T., =
Attorney General Tabor spoke over an hour in de-
fence OF the law and filed brief with tho court, VINO
reScrvcd his decision