Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1891-07-17


Medical opinion on the Late Electro.
cution..
NEW York July l0.-When Kemm.
Ter was electrocuted at Auburn DR..
George I. Shrady was one OF the state i
invited witnesses. In asking Shrady
TO be present Warden Durston not only
acknowledged the ability OF the emf
nent physician who prolonged the life
OF Gen. Grant but he therefore ac-
knowledged the right OF the medical
profession everywhere to know what
transpired. Dr. Shrady was present
only in II personal capacity. but he
represented his profession. being the
editor Of the Medical Record. When
Dir. jenkins began the autopsy on
Kemmer's body DIR. Shrady. who is II
! shorthand writer. made the running
notes OF the progress OF that inquest.
The same night DIR. Shrady having
been left alone in the work, reduced
! his notes to writing and thus the AS
ISOLATED press was enabled TO lay the
description OF the autopsy before the
public with the story OF Kemmlers
execution. DR.. Shrady was not pres
ent at the Sing Sing executions. Mr..
Warden Brown is reported as having
said he did not think OF asking him.
la this weeks issue OF the Record
however DR.. Shrudy has editorial ref
erence to the Sing Sing executions
and the following extracts are most
pertinent:
at is with II feeling of general re-
lief that one hears that success has
this time offset the horrors enacted last
year ut Auburn and that science which
heretofore has SO nobly lent its best
efforts to saving and prolonging life.
has at last succeeded in showing It's
power to kill effectively, quickly and
almost pleasantly.
There was n grim humanity about
the proceedings OF repeating the shocks
in quick succession which relieved the
minds and conscience of those who
guaranteed the criminals against I'M
necessary suffering. 1t is asserted that
no burnt sacrifices resulted.
mo official report has yet been re-
ceived regarding the details Of the kill
ing and there Is nothing beyond the
mere results in death which have at
present any scientific interest. The
extra precautions taken to prevent the
expression of Independent personal
views will necessarily detract from the
value OF the verdict when finally rem
dered. The enforced secrecy OF the
proceedings will strike every fair
minded person with surprise
and suspicion which it will be ex-
ceedingly difficult to offset by
any carefully worded official docu-
ment. 1t can scarcely be be-
lieved that n party OF scientific gentle
men could submit to be gagged by
prison official and be prevented from
expressing an opinion regarding scien-
tidc phenomena OF which they were
the selected and skilled witnesses.
They are placed in the humiliating po-
sition of jury having nominal pow
er without voice and presumably
helpless in com oating foregone conclu-
sions.
But if we must have capital pun
ishment what advantage have we
gained by electricity over hanging?
We have seen that it may fail horri-
bly, unless extraordinary precautions
are taken. 1T has been claimed by
those who appear to know that the
torture OF Kemmler was grossly exag-
gerated. We can testify to the con-
trary and assert that no adjectives are
strong enough to do justice in the aw-
full scene, The most we can hope for
is that history may never repeat itself
in that direction