The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-30

In what we have to say in regard TO the
hanging of Benjamin Smell yesterday. it is
distinctly to be understood that no refiec-
ton upon the authorities. and particularly
upon Warden Harris. is intended. The
warden obeyed ard executed the law faith
fully. and with all the regard for de-
corum and humanity possible in the cir
cumstances. Considering the problem be-
fore him, and his imperative duty, he is
to be congratulated upon its performance.
Nevertheless, and in spite of all that
ingenuity could do to prevent such re-
suit the execution was sickening spec
tacle, and one which we hope may never
be again witnessed In Washington. The
doomed wretch who died on the gallows
was a giant in size, standing six feet six
inches in his shoes and weighing, when
he was arrested for the murder of little
Lizzie Weisenberger, three hundred and
twenty pounds. Yesterday he was reported
as weighing two hundred and eighty
pounds. Such conditions being considered,
/ as soon as 1t became apparent that Smell
must suffer the death penalty, the unhappy
! ing him. his head would be severed In the
operation If the usual drop required to
break mans neck were resorted to.
Warden Harris. then, was compelled to
make choice between practically no drop,
with the certainty of infiicting lingering
death by strangulation, or a reasonably
long drop, involving the risk of what ac-
tually happened.
We have no fault to find with the de-
cision. Death. to all appearances, was in
Simultaneous and painless. The reporter
for this Journal who was one of the Of
fetal witnesses, states that he did not see
the movement of a muscle after the drop
fell But what he and all present saw.
otherwise. was anything but pleasant. The
drop given was FIVE feet five inches. When
Smell fell to the end of it, he became
motionless. as We have said; but soon there
was an ominoIs spot of crimson on the
white yoke of his shirt below the place
where the harE,nan's knot had caught TN
der his ear. Presently blood began to
pour down on the ground from his neIher
garments and form a hideous pool The
truth was that SHELLS head was nearly
severed from his body. the rope cutting
through the windpipe. the carotid artery.
the iugular vein, the nerves, muscles, and
tendons of the neck. and, apparently, the
spinal vertebrae holding alone prevented
complete decapitation.
method of capital punishment viii n Is
liable to produce such horror, even VIXEN
every precaution has been taken to avert it,
cannot be regarded as civilized. Tie
frightful Spanish garrote could do no
worse 1t was the danger of occurrences
such as marked the Smell execution that in
duced the State of New York to substitute
electrocution for the rope.
The people of Washington would do well
at once to organize a movement looking 10
a like change in the District OF Columbia
Death by electricity under proper coadi-
tons which are readily attainable, is pain
less, and comes within an inconceivably
small fraction of q second. 1t is therefore
mercifui and without horrfying effects
upon those whose duty compeis them to
view executions. Congress should not be
allowed to adjourn next winter without
having passed law abolishing hang ng In
this jurisdiction, and substituting the de-
cent method Of capital punishment in the
electric chair.