The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-03
ms ELECTRIC EXECUTION Law
rue LIBERTY OF THE PRESS.
f,rinions Of Leading Statesmen,
democrats and Republicans.
and

.A,n.w
~, state. or who are likely to be nominatea'
. 49,. simple questions. as follows:
THE QUESTIONS.
H.. .,ou in faror Of maintaining the electrical
.,,;,, ,o,, ,ruh all is features as II lisp
mn, in taror orde repeal ofthe 'd'o. and
...i,,y Of ne repea! Of that part OF II 'ch'ch
..,;,. N, newspapers TO ascertain me Jacts OF
,.,,h ,ssu legally inflicted. and to publish them
,,rn, information Of the people,
.r,. view. 81 Mr.. Flower.
MI. M, Roswell r. Flowor gave the first
.,,,n coma though. and then said that. In
a u's A great deal OF unnecessary trou-
s no ..os ,aren in the killing OF condemned
Wv n, didn't believe that the manner
M. ., ,,icl,i taking OF human lie was worthy
" ,n.;d.ration which It has received. Hc
~, I'm. hanging was good enough sys-
u,ho had his doubts rs to whether cleo.
eu Gun, aycru,on WAS any bettor than tho scat
WA WV, ~, ,.li,v,d that neither system was as
soar n. the g,iiIlotine.
r,tcrercs 10 the rights Of the newspapers
.ar,rt the details OF legal killings. he said that
~ raven, ,ers kn-w what the people wanted
an. . lint tho peopls know Whit they wanted.
n. Al not think tina. the publication OF this
,or, of news could work an injury.
~, ,ho nsonle don't want 10 know anything
.,an, tive execution OF the law in tho matter OF
Inirc rurdorers." 10 said they won't rcnd
!, No matter how much tho newspapers print.
" an ,he uther hand, they want this sort OF
,sw. Il IL clearly tho right OF tho newspapers
:, turnish It, | cannot say that am In favor
n a lnv mr.
,,i,.al executions. but am certainly In favor
~ .o,sa,inr that section OF 1t which prohibits
N. newspapers from printing tho details OF
H., .y.,nt,ous | b.lievc the newspapers
Inv. II right I, furnish their readers with
iii sort, Of nubli. news OF interest. II for no
other reason should advocate the repeal OF
This sneca section. because I believe every
law should be observed and when it becomes
slsar that any law will not be observed and
that no a.temrt will be made to enforce its
p,oyisions, why. then that especial act Is a
r,s,ss piece of lumber which should be swept
out o. ths way The newspapers are clearly
determined to print all the facts they cnn get
in reference to electrical executions. and that
they may do this without any fear Of the re-
suit 10 apparent. Therefore. I say. do away
with this useless section OF the law and let the
best 10 them
Lieut. Sow. Jones Answers.
The Hon. Edward F. Joues was evidentIy
puzzled 10 answer the fret question. II the
innctiou OF death by electricity was more
humane punishment than hanging. why. then
he was 10 favor OF it. He was under the i'm
preston that vs. are compelled to believe in
It's humanity. because scientific mon have as
serted that death BY electricity is painless.
On tho second point the Lisutenant-Gov-
sruor bad very vigorous aud decided opinion.
"Ths time has fortunately passed" he said.
when any attempt to control the utteranoes
u tho pre,s will be tolerated. Liberty ceases
when the right OF free speech is denied. Tho
shrouding Of legal executions In web OF mys-
tory will prove abortlve In working any GOOD
purpose Tho argument that the details OF an
execution nrs too horrible to DO printed. and
therefore should no, oe printed. should not
have influenced the trainers OF the law. The
people may not he able 10 Judge what ia proper
Tor ,hem to read but they certainly know what
they want. and II they want to be made &C.
quain,ed with the facts attending the trans
actinn or execution OF any public busi-
aesa they have q right to those facts.
The newspapers are quito competent to
Judge what sort OF reading the public want Is.
This knowledge is. in fact. oae OF the princl-
pal things that 60 10 make up q good news-
PAPER and the best newspaper is the one
that prints the most interesting and timely
matter. 1t seems 10 me that no man has any
hght 10 interfere with the printing OF any bit
OF news that is OF u public nature. Tho clause
prohibiting the publication OF the news OF
electrical executions is useless. for It will
turely not he "beved. A man might as we'll
Introduce bill providing for the abolition Of
ivory crime. such bill would be 40 useful
a this particular clause. Personally am op-
posed 10 any attempt to curtail the power and
influence II tho press. and I am heartily in
iavor Of the repeal OF this clause which shuts
out the representatives OF newspapsrs from
Gscutious.'
The Lieutenant-Governor. in speaking OF the
sbitrary action OF Warden Brown In setting q
osaA line around the prison and imposing
secrecy on all witnesses oftho recent execu-
uons In Sing Sing. said that It not infreauently
nanpens that men it authority 20 beyond their
1snts and d. t!lin:s which they are a!terWuri
heartily sorry ly..
The Judgment or Mayor Chap,u.
Mayor Alfred c. Chaplin OF BROOKLYN ron.
h"c"s'oho 'cIS uluCult 10 answer.
no odnt think that lie was In favor OF the re-.
oeal o! the whos law. because Is lons "a
Aplfs' punishment exists he thought any
"s'sh thar had no unusual or cruel features
"asas co d a, another.
g., "nolher this present PROCESS" he said,
""'h'e's lsa question for scientific men to
.u'"ef. |! Is, OF course impossible to taxa
AuIAn lie without taking it, and con readily
w now On" can in this matter roach degree
VI overrolnemen.."
M ''aa q TO tue privileges OF the p7ess,
a'oe elapln was unable TO SOC how tho en-
,,'oplnc OF the judicial killings In an atmos-
'. .m. mystery couldw work any good purpose.
aae people Of this country" he said, have
,n,..' e.' right to discuss any matter Of public
M. 's, "a as broad manner al possible.
vS,,. ,leMs is also told by the newspapers
,n,s. sh continue. have no doubt to priu,
n,.,s ''w's IT Is nossitle for them to obtain In
prohn'I F" electrical executions. The law
U,r.,'uH The publication OF details will
fed, tn%., 70 perA!slen:ly and successfully dc.
In sn.nI Is therefore. no law at ALL"
not ha "' 70 the droct question whether or
with Al, ~. IN favor o, maintaining the Law
SAID ,La, W. present features. Mayor Chaplin
and Tho r.a "'u'1 answer both this question
"n' as n,rcei'ng ono a, once, Hs then wrote
ssubjse, .ha u'e Of tue law upon so important
to sIac,.i. .aoud DO avoided. When the change
surs ,h.,Gy was made was by no means
lion 4. was desirable, Whother its opsl a.