The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-10-22
raE KnLIne OF kxMMLEx-

Oncasa Report Prefers Electric Bxecu-
tion 70 the Horrid Eops.
DR.. Carlos F. Macdonald, president OF
the New York State Commission In Luz
macy, has furnished Govsrnor Hill an om-
cial account Of the recent death OF Wiiaiam
Reminder at Auburn penitentiary By cleo
tricity. He says in cOnciusion:
Compared with hanging. In which death
il frequently produced by stranguiatl0n.
with every indication Of conscious suiier.
ing for an appreciabie time on The part O
the victim, execution BY electricity - IN
6nitely preferable, both Is regards the SUD.
denness with which death il Effected ana
the expedition with which all the immedlate
preliminary details may b arranged 6y
the latter method the fatal stroke renders us
victim unconscious in an infinitesimal
fraction Of . second, 80 small - TO BE- BE-
yond the power Of the human mind 70 e.
innate, while, at the same times Il disin-
tegrates the nerve tissues and blood 20 IN
extent which insures m abs0iuteness Of
death In shorter space Of time tnan -
possible BY any other known method. In
other words, Il IL the surest, quickest. most
yet been devised.
The execution Of Kemmler, from the
time he entered the room until the second
contact Was interrupted, occupied not more
than eight minutes; whereas executions by
hanging usually require from fifteen 70
thirty niinutes. In fact. it not infreqncniiy
happens that the heart contIn ues 70 beat
for that length Of time after the fall of the
fatal drop. Then, too. far more time
IL consumed IN placing the pris-
oner on the gallows. pinioning his
limbs, putting on the black cap,
placing the moose about his neck and care
fully adjusting the knot under his left ear
iron whence 1t sometimes slips at the crit
ical moment, resulting in strangulation in
stead Ct broken neckl. than would Be re-
qulred for arranging the preliminary de-
tails of an electrical execution. During
the preparation Of this report the AssOci-
afed Press dispatches contained m account
Of hanging IN which the criminals head
was almost completely torn from the body.
DR.. Mcdonald makes the following re-
c0mmendati0ns:
First-The statute providing for the exc
cution OF criminals BY electricity should be
amended 20 a. to provide for but one
plant, to b located in the central part Of
the stale. in . building especially con-
structed for the purpose. The building
should contain the necessary electrical APP
paratus, an engine, execution room, soii-
tary cells and quarters for the guard and
other necessary officials, the apparatus to
be In charge of and operated by . compe-
Second-The engine and dynamo should
be especially constructed for the purpose,
and should be capable of generating an
electro motive force of ct least 1000 volts,
In order 70 insure the maximum voltage
that would be necessary and at the same
time cause no injustice to any electrical
lighting company, such - is likely to be
the case so long as commercial dynamos
are used In executing criminals.
Third-The volt-metre should Be located
In the executiOn-room, and q competent
and resp0nslble official should be detailed
to take the readings of the metre before
and at the instant the current is applied.
The voltage should not be less than 1900,
nor more than 1000. and should be mat
ter Of official record. The prisoners re-
distance should also be taken immediately
before bringing him into the execution
room.
Fourth-The statute should require An
Official report Of each execution 70 be made
to the governor within ten days after the
execution takes place.