Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-07-25
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NIinncsota Newspapers Pay No Heed
the 10 state Private HING Ing Act.
MINNEAPoLIs. MINI, July l9.--The news
papers OF Minnesota all have the laugh on
Hen. John Day Smith, author OF the new
law respecting the hanging OF criminals.
He was shocked at the column after column
Of newspaper accounts that were published
at the time of the hanging OF the Barrett
brothers In this city. MIR. Smith, who ia
member from Minneapolis, framed law
that was passed by the legislature. forbid.
ding any newspaper publicity In connection
with any pubic execution. The condemned
man under the law Ia allowed to name
three witnesses and the sheriff, who be-
sides deputy sheriff. coroner and doctor,
shall constitute tue audience at any
legal HANGING. Reporters are strictly
barred and the execution must occur
between the hours of midnight and sunrise
on the death day named BY the governor.
This law appealed 10 certain public senu
ment and IL WAS supposed TO be good one
until put to practical test at las O'Clock
this morning.
Albert Bulow was hanged by Sheriff
Raiscott OF Little Fails, for the murder IL
Flank Eich OF RoyHlton, one day last o ito-
Der. "Only bare announcement" Ac
cording to the exact words of the law, was
expected by the morninS papers, but "the
bare announcement" fli!td from two te
I0uF Columns OF tue CITY phptrh, Inc JOuU
Day Smith law failed 10 take coRniZ4nce a.
the fact that the pine board fence surround
ing "A Jail enclosure were easily pierced by
auguTs, and that a good reportorlal eye ~
a well.mea= ured uugur hols could take IN
wonderful range of vision. Beside the
augur holes. which the law did not forbid,
it was an easy matter for reporter to pu'
on priastly habiliments and In the gulse al
u spiritual adviser tnkes copious notes Oh
the fly-leaf Of his Bible.
Sheriff RAscott carried out the oondi.
tons of the John Day smith law. although
1t caused him q great deal OF annoyance.
1t did not allow The necessary men 10 d
the work. Only the prescribed numbl'
were admitted. The sheriff, his deputy ard
the condemned man wers the only ones
who went Out win the procession to tn
gallows. Ths others who we're In the on
closure stood we'll back against the fencs
The lanterns etone with dim light, and
| the moonlight and the starlight rs they
came through 'hs clouds were Rhostly H.
| their effect. Not ons word Was spoken hy
any one from the momeEt the party entered
the enclosure until after II vas all over.
| Early last night several rel orters called
! az the jan and snerifi's residence. lnstead
| Of taking thetr departure b tue trout doc
! they, unOuserved. slipped up ihs back
stairs Of the shHrlffs residence an werr
| soon seated at an upstairs wiudpW imme-
!iltely fronting and looking down upo
| the gallows. Ea'erpri-e hld fr Mt VIII
| low ware found TO have an advantage eVet
| oyer an anger hoA In GOnf0rtnb v "vAdlnl
| the law, Tue public never got fuller =
! port OF hanging.
United States Distliet.attorn v B x,er, o.
| sp tAkinR offhe law, rays that Ni hOu lDo
ing into III" quo tiou he snnud mink n
there might b. grounds forte neinc declared
uncnnsti utiunH'. According 10 the la y.
i this state, It micE: ba f'"ni 70 strike
the liberty Of the press. The section re'e
rluS TO what uewsp tPeta sntll ami 'ht
not puhu-h, he ihnk5 miIht he ,'risk.
NJ, as the rubisct Is not considered In IL
,Itle Of the act.