The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-10
srcREcY IN ELECTROCUTION.

Under the law relating to executions, now
in operation in the State of New York, the
strictest secrecy is required to be enforced as
to the publication Of the various details that
mark the death scene This law was rigidly
carried out In the instance of the four MUIR
derers eloctrocuted few days ago at Sing Sing,
4 number Of witnesses were admitted to the
prison, but each one was placed under An
oath that he would not reveal the circum-
stances attending the capital act. No repre-
sentative of q newspaper WIS allowed to be
present, but in spite of this fact, all the lead
ing journals of New York State contained on
the second morning following the execution,
full and minute account of everything that
occurred.
In the mere publication of this information
these journals exposed themselves TO public
prosecution as having violated the law of the
Commonwealth. This, however. did not re-
strain them. On the contrary they have taken
special pains to faunt their disregard OF the
provisions of the statute in the face Of the
very officers whose duty it is to bring them to
taw.
They have not only done this but they have
also raised loud cutlery against the statute
itself to the extent that it bears upon secrecy
Of proceeding as an outrage upon the people
at large. and AS a violation of the freedom OF
the press, which has been guaranteed by the
fundamental law Of the State The freedom
of the press shall not be abridged is the Con-
stitutional provision on this point. and yet
the exclusion of every reporter from tho
scene of the executions at the time they oc-
CURED and an express prohibition against the
publication of details are all in marked
derogation of the liberty of the press.
The position which the New York papers
have taken in this matter is entirely just and
becoming. Nothing is to be gained by throw
ing veil of secrecy over any event in which
the whole public are deeply interested The
reason advanced for imposing this secrecy
is that publication of the details of an cleo
trocution are calculated to demoralze. but
the full account of the recent electrocutions
at Sing -Sing. which appeared in all the New
York papers as promptly as if their reporters
had been present IN person, shows how abor-
tive is any attempt to withhold such informa-
ton from the press. Imposition Of silence is
unconstitutional, and il is impossible in prac
tice TO enforce it. The provision requiring
secrecy should therefore be struck out
AS soon as electrocution has become as
common as executions by hanging. there is
no reason 10 think that its details will convey
any unusual sensation of horror. 1t is the
novelty of the punishment which causes it
now to appeal so strongly to the morbid feel
ings of the popular breast. This novelty
will inevitably wear away, and when this 70.
suit is reached neither the New York ror the
general press will devote so much space to the
details of elec;rocution. Secrecy in public
proceedings of any kind. whether these pro-
ceedngs take place in prison or in the
United States Senate, are opposed TO the
genius of the American people. and they will
insist upon its being abolished sooner or later.