The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-05-08

The bin which had passed the Now loIk
Assembly abolishing capital punishment 10
that state was postponed indefinitely by TIE
judiciary Committee # the senate on Tues
dav. which virtually means that il has been
thrown out for good. The bill was probably
brought in. IN the first instance, under the
influence Of partial reaction against the
law recently adopted In Sew York Tcqur-
ing all criminals who had been sentenced
70 death 70 be- executed by electricity. The
novelty Of this punishment and the unusu-
ally frightful associations connected with i
in the popular mind, on account II the mys-
teriOus character and operation II the cleo
iric force, raised a certain degree Of opposi-
ton 10 capital punishment in any form. \
sentiment had always existed among a
LARGE and not unnnucntial body OF
men in New York that was ac-
lively and consistently hostile 10 capt.
tai punishment as not being in keeping
a. they expressed it, with the progressoi
Christian civilization. This sentiment at
once gave powerful support 70 the bill to
abolish the extreme penalty of the law a.
soon as II was introduced in the New ork
Assembly, and it was due chiefly to the ad-
yocacy Of the men who honestly entertained
this sentiment that the bill was passed IN
the lower house Of the Legislature. a num-
Der Of persons, distinguished for philan-
thropic work, appeared before the Judiciary
Committee Of the Senate 10 impress their
views about the bill on its member, but 10
so little purpose that the bill was postponed
by a vote Of : to-
A majority Of the people Of the United
States will consider the committee 10 have
acted wisely in this matter, for the prevail
ing opinion Of the whole country undoubt-
tdly fay0rs the retention Of capital punish
ment a. exercising q wholesome control
over the inclinatiOns ofthe desperately dis
posed members Of every community. The
PROPOSITION 10 abolish it would not receive
passing attention in the Southern states,
and any movement set on foot there with
that object in view, would be simply re
earded a. an act Of morbid humanitarian
ism which has no justification either in
good sense or good feeling. The idea that
il is a sh0rtsiehted policy to take away one
life because another life has been criminal
ly extinguished, receives but little approval
or sympathy in the South, and the predic
tion may be- yentured that long period viii
elapse before any Southern legislature will
20 even 80 far as the New York Assembly
has done 30 recently.
Nor is this any evidence Of improper con
scrya,ism on the part Of the Southern peo-
pie. Reason as well a. experience confirms
the ACCESSIBILITY Of capital punishment as
the only means OF oGectually checking
the commission Of crime OF an cX.
IRENE character. How many muir
der has been prevented by the
ehastly spectacle Of the gallOws and its
grim paraphcrnalia rising up a. wildly be-
fore the eyes Of the murdcrously disposed
as If that spectacle was actually
visible, and not a mere creation Of the
Imagination. As long n such person
lis aware that he will not be- deprived Of his
life. no matter how cold-blooded he may be
in the act Of destroying the life Of his vic
tim. it is idle 70 say that he will place him
self under as much restraint as If he knew
that he would be punished by the extreme
penalty II be perpetrated such crime All
human observation is contrary 20 such a
supposltion, and will continue 80 ~ long as
existence IN considered by its possessor the
most valuable Of all earthly things. A life
for life is the most powerful Of all the
guarantees upon which society relies for
peace and order, and a tbousandshumaniif-
rian theories cannot convince the generality
of mankind Of the opposite.
one VI the most injurious effects oil the