The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-11

Naturally, few Of the candidates wera
able to lay claim to actual experience as
executioners, only eight being able TO do
So OF these two stated that they had
acted as public hangmen, but vouchsafed
no details. The remaining six were sol~
diers, who had gained the unusual exper-
ience abroad, having Inflicted the death
penalties on spies and others sentenced
under martial law. A sergeant stated that
he had undertaken the execution OF half
a dozen delnquents when every one else
appealed to had refused the task, ana
grandlloquenty eXclaims: "Sergeants are
the persons who should execute" He fails
TO state on what grounds he claims a mons
opoly Of the business for sergeants.
A number OF candidates stated that then
had for years made a hobby OF the study
OF everything connected with the infiic~
ton Of capital punishment. One wrote
that he had long wished for the oppor-
tunity OF applying for such post and had
done everything in his power to qualify
himself for the duties which II was the
ambition Of his life to be enabled to per-
form.
A gentleman of private means desired
the appointment simply because II would
provide him with congenial occupations
the duties having always had a great fas-
cinauon for him. One Of the morbid hobs
by-riders made the extraordinary states
ment that he had often praticed on him
self. IL Is TO be feared that in a genuine
competition he would have been passed
over on the score Of lack of truthfulness.
Most Of the competitors showed that they
had due sense Of the responsibilities %
the post. Many darkly limited that they
could keep a secret" Others appeared Ia
have very light opinion Of the duties. Il
have no experience, but do not think Il
would take many minutes to learn to bang
anybody" and present occupation Ia
a d. haR -
could do the other quite as easy" are casea
In point
Some OF the qualifications set forth wera
rather quaint For instance. that OF the
man who made a strong point OF the face
that The was OF a kindly disposition" Con-
trast his statement with the following Of
another candidate: MY qualifications
are an iron nerve. used to testing strength
or rope, and an everlasting hatred Of my
fellow-creatures"
Humor intentional or otherwise (most-
~ otherwise), was not lacking In replies. II
wish to gain the appointment because the
salary viii enable me 20 keep nv aged
mother In comfort" ana Il apply because
my doctor has ordered me a change OF eli.
mate" were good enough reasons M
doubt. from the writer's point OF vlow n
have no experience. but can write short-
hand, which Is nearly as bad as learning
20 hang writes nlppant clerk. Theirs
and should be delighted TO work few
on, was a sentiment expressed IN several
letters. Il desire q change from this dull.
monotonous life" begins one candidate.
Another states, somewhat irrelevantiy.
that ne is good accountant. and Horn
castle man thinks he ought to sfard a
good chance because one OF England'a
hangmen was a native OF Horncastle.
Many made point OF having heard the
lectures Of the late hangman, Berry. or
having read his book. For candid brutal-
ny. the palm Is taken by the man who
concludes his letter with the statements
These are oil the qualifications can adj
duce. except that / am prepared 10 do
anything for money"
one threatening letter was received writ
ten In what ! suppose a graphologist would
call "a criminal hand" ono thing was
certain-that whether the writer was n
virtuous member OF society or otherwise.
ne deserved to be- hanged for his spelling.
10 may be mentioned that the ndver-
usement was eagerly seized upon by para
graphsts. ana copied and Commented upou
BY a eoodly number Of provincial papers.
The editor OF a smart London daily wrola
requesting % be allowed % Interview tho
advertiser, but that Individual WARTIME
an the copy for himself, declined tho
honor.