The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-08-13
rs .Electrocution a Success!- Opin.
ions of Ravenna M. DIS.

~'@'
THE electrocuton of Kemler, in New York L L
State, last week. occasioned considerable com 9
ment among our citizens, and many opinions )
were given, pro and con. We have taken pains b
to inquire of our resident physicians to their r
views, as far as possible with the following re-
suit
DR.. M. G. MCBRIDE.-I consider the cleo
trocution reasonably success. and 1 believe it ;
can be made perfect success. The many ac- :
cidenta deaths by electricity prove that this can
be made an instantaneous mode of execution.
1t certainly is humane mode of execution, for
there appears to be no evidence that this crimi-
nal suffered in the least. A most interesting
feature of the autopsy, is the evidence afforded
of immediate paralysis of the brain-hence loss
of all sensation, on the application of the cleo
| trcal current. By perfect success, mean such
care exercised and such voltage applied as will
make death instantaneous.
| DR.. C. S. LEONARDO do not think Kemler
suffered at all l think he was rendered un-
conscious in the fraction of a second. and so
remained until life was entirely extinct. think
the execution was success although there may
be chance for improvement over some of the
details of its conduct. think there is no doubt |
whatever that this method of execution could |
be brought to such state of perfection as to
insure absolute certainty in every case; that is,
that death would result instantly and painlessly.
Kemler's alleged respiration indication
: of consciousness. would prefer to wait for the
official report before commenting this partic-
ular case further. regard electrocution as far
. | mora humane than banoinU and were 7 TO he
executed, would prefer it to the latter, ten times
5 over. Yes. l think a person would suffer Sc
t verely from heavy shock insufficient to pro-
duce inconsistencies. l don't think would
}. like to see electrocution introduced in Ohio,
because it will be brought to such state of per-
:. fection that hanging will be infinitely more
t dreaded by the criminal and society thus be
n less adequately protected.
: DR.. B. B. LoUGHEAD.-There is no evidence
t of any suffering the part of Kemler. Very
. likely there was some muscular contraction after
the current was turned off, but that would not
e indicate suffering. would not suppose resus-
S citation to be possiblble aftertha-sfsr charge,
although il is .iifffcuit TO give decided opinion
: as l do not know of any cases like this one
where the attempt has been made. do not
J. attendant on hanging. l think the execution,
K from all l have read, was success-that is, it
justified the claims made for it as being painless.
d l should be in favor of waiting to see what eff
u feet thorough test of the method has in New
q York State on the per centage of crime COM
;. mitted, before adopting it in Ohio.
.e DR.. R. B. JoHNsoN-While opposed to cap
to ital punishment think the execution of KEN
d. Ter demonstrates electrocuton to be the more
ol humane method of administering the death
~ penalty, as contrasted with hanging. 1 do not
20 think the cuprit was conscious of pain. Respi-
d ration, were any apparent, would not be con-
to elusive indication of pain. While there was
n evident bungling, think it establishes the sue
Is cess of the electrode. as an instantaneous and
ne painless agency in statutory methods of Shutting
=, off the mortal coil by execution but doubt
~ that electrocution will find further favor in New
MS York, or will be adopted by other States.
h. DR.. A. J. BIErz.-I am of the opinion thai
q. Kemler did not suffer. Of course a man would
lis be liable to suffer if an insufficient current wa.
in turned on. but think that sufficiently strong
O. current. of the proper character would result il
painless extinction of all the faculties. Resist
varies in individuals and the force required
as himself So far my knowledge of electricit!
- goes, and from what have read of the opinion
. of expert electricians, I would favorits adoption
al in Ohio against hanging so far as being pain
s less is concerned. should not dread it as mucl
:. as the hangman's rope. Would prefer to be elec
a. tricized.
~ DR.. JOSEPH WAGGoNER.-I do not think Kcm
;, Ter suffered any. I think he was instantly par
~, alyzed. l regard the execution as successful
,a Absolute certainty be secured in every case
~ ~ The method is more humane than hanging. an
~ would like to it adopted in Ohio. I thinl
~ a sufficient test of the dynamo used should b
o. made. It is a very easy matter to try it on al
=; animal and if successful then twill surely be o.
r. r. the criminal.
- DR.. GEO. WAGGoNER.-I cannot see how KEN
80 Ter could have suffered any. I think the execu
10 ton was painless. and therefore a success.
- think no intense suffering would result from an
current sufficient to produce unconsciousnes:
" that is at the time of its administration.
- would prefer death by such an agency rather tha
"a by hanging. Think it should be adopted in Ohio
ss' Dr.. W. W. WHITE.-Don't think there was an
=, suffering in Kemler's case. Think he was in
s'' stantly paralyzed. Would not like to see thi
~ method adopted in Ohio. because the mental ag
10 10 ony of the criminal would. in my opinion. b
much greater than in hanging.
~ DR.. A. w. ALcoRN.-Kemler suffered little
De any pain. 1t was success. Think they tool
u the current off little too soon, that is all tn
en criticism have to offer. Have seen no eviaenc
is' of any respiration after frst~ shock. Think
W. more humane than hanging. and would favor ii
lp' adoption in Ohio. In case of heavy charge
Us; insufficient o-produee Inconsistencies the sui
m' fering would no. tin my opinion. exceed that
In strangling by the rope. but therewould b. suffer
co. ing. would prefer being electricised to bein
M hanged. I think the press in general, and es
on pecially the eastern papers. have been unfair
I'm their criticisms.