The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-02-08
Capital punishment,

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: Tho argu.
ments in favor OF capital punishment can very
easily be summed up under the head l. OF that
old adage. what our ancestors used is good
enough for us"
The only real argument which ever has been
used, which ever can be used. in favor OF
this barbarous practice. this direct oppo-
sitlon to the will OF Almighty God. is
that the fear OF a violent death. of a sudden leap
into the great unknown. acts as q preventive to
the commission OF the terrible crime OF urder
In the first degree.
To say, however. that the death penalty Is q
preventive TO the commission Of murder, ia a
huge mistake, and an overlooking Of the fact
that the average murderer has no knowledge as
10 whether he is committing a murder Of the
first degree. or Of the second. or Is comm itting
homicide.
The New York Criminal Code gives the fol-
lowing definitions in regard to the subject:
The killing Of a human being, unless it is justin,
able, is murder In the first degree, when committed.
either.
l. From a deliberate and premeditated design to
effect the death Of the person killed. or
2. By an act imminently dangerous to Others. and
evincing a depraved mind, regardless OF human life,
although without a premeditated design. to efec.
the uthtn OF any lnulNluual, OF
3, without a design to effect death. by a person
engaged In the commission Of. or in an attempt TO
commit. a felony. either upon or affecting the person
killed, or otherwise; or
!, when perpetrated in committing tho crime OF
arson in the FIRST degree.
And even we're the murderer acquainted with
the law to the extent Of knowing the degree
81 his or her crime. he or she would not hesitate
the more. because there was or was not the
penalty OF death for the commission Of the
same. For never was q murderer known who
or scheme whereby he would be- allowed to go
Scot free" and some one else be obliged to
suffer and stand punishment. If the guilt
proved to the satisfaction Of a Jury. And
and eloquent District ATTORNEY, by a
yinces twelve men that the prisoner at the
bar Is a villain OF the first water. a murderer
with a premed itated design. and they bring in
discovery OF the powers OF electricity to lie put
10 the most evil use that man can possibly de-
sign. that Of causing the death Of an innocent
vast country will hold up both hands and cry
aloud, Lot our prisons be crowded to the very
doors, rather than sentence one innocent per
fenced TO death and that sentence ia executed.
year after year, simply because we must have
an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth
ihi' ~ EhlllN 'bIl'Nl lblllNlllIl'lll 10
not alone shared by any one class Of people. or
by q few only. but il spreads over the entire
country, and II has happened In many trials Of
that the jury will not bring in a YER
dict OF guilty. not because the evidence ia in
sufficient. but because they would break their
oaths rather than bring in a%veriict which they
know means death to n human being.
Docs this meet the ends OF public Justice?
Does this restore order 10 and decrease tho
number OF crime in our beloved country
Neverl
Then let lis have law that does meet these
requirements and which does better the social
conditions OF our country.
The only punishment which should and could
supersede capital punishment Is the penalty OF
i'm prisonment for life" To the guilty person
imprisonment for life is a far worse punish
ment than death. And why should II not DO
Tor his crime, but also for the protection OF so.
ciety2 But for the innocent person there Ia
always hope. And almost always an innocent
man i'm Imprisoned for life lives to And himself
once more o free man. Yours for justice.
FRANCIS GRANT TURNER.