Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-08
HAS COME TO STAY"
Gov. Hiii's Opinion Of the Eiectrica, System
OF Execution.

Gov. Hill arrived in New York city last night.
In reply to question regarding the executions at
Sing Sing the governor said 'Tbis system Of
electrical execution has come to stay. re-
ceived an official notice from Warden Brown
merely saying that the executions had taken
place successfully and 1 know nothing more
about them than what have learned from the
newspapers"
Many Of the witnesses who witnessed the ex-
ecutions were in New York city last night and
reporters called on them for information re-
gardlnS the executions, but, as they are bound
to secrecy, they were very reticent. Some in
teresting facts and opinions were elected. how
ever. DR.. Rockwell characterized electric
death as being far more humane than hanging
and said that in none of the hangings he had
witnessed did the men suffer little the
murdererS who sat in the death chair yester-
day. Az four died instantly and painlessly,
only exhibiting the gathering rigidity which
denies that any burning was apparent. He said
all OF the condemned men were dociie. sub
uniting without demonstration to their death.
TWO SHOCKS NECESSARY.
DIR. Daniels said that but for his promise not to
talk he could tell startling tale. He admitted
that as in kemmlers case it was necessary to
shock the victims twice. He said the doctors
carried awny portions Of the victims bodies for
examination.
One physician, whose name may not be men,
toned, said he never saw anything 80 neatly
done. 1t reminded him of q little family party
as they sat in the room there.
DIR. Cortelyou said he attended the test in
the interest of science, and his mind was made
up if he found any cruelty in the infiiction of
death penalty by electricity to lay complaint
before the proper state authorities and seek to
have the law repealed. Death in every instance
was absolutely painless and instantaneous, he
believed. Two shocks were administered sim
ply a matter of precaution.
DIR. Il. II. Southwick said that the expert
ments were highly successful. and he felt salts
fled now that electrical executions have come
to stay.
The three witnesses from Albany Of the four
executions at Sing Sing prison arrived home
last night. They were Drs. Mcdonald, Samuel
u. Ward and Franklin Townsend, jr.
DIR. Mcdonald. in referring to the executions,
SAID: 1.-The four men were executed without a
hitch, any report to the contrary notwithstand-
ing. There was no confusion nor struggling
on the part Of either of the condemned, and
each suffered an instant and painless death.
The arrangements were perfect as was evil
denced by the results, which in themselves
demonstrated the utility and humane met bod
involved in killing by electricity. Ali present
were thoroughly satisfied with the results.
do not know exactly how soon shall prepare
my official report on the executions"
What did you find as the result of the au-
topsies?''
Il shall have nothing to say on this subject
until after the publication of my official re-
port"
He refused to say whether, as in tho case of
kemmler. any OF tho tissues Of either of the
men were burned
DIR. Ward, who was present. said: 81 reiterate
what DR.. Mcdonald has said regarding the
execution. Now, if never before, am thor
oughly convinced that an execution by cleo
tricity as was conducted at Sing Sing prison
today results in an instantaneous and painless
DEATH
DIR. Townsend said he was satisfied of the
success of the executions Further thar this
he would say nothing