The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-23

Plain Duty Torture In Ponce.
Detailed accounts and photographs of the
plain duty garroting in Ponce Porto
Rico. on April 5, have reached the main
land. The whole truth concerning the af
fair serves TO show that the crime against
civilization was much more disgraceful
than it appeared from the brief reports
cabled at the time. The people of Porto
Rico regarded the event with unspeakable
horror and loathing Executions by the
garrote torture had been abandoned in
the island since 1898 and the inhabitants
were shocked to learn that it was to be
revived under the auspices of our Federal
authorities.
They fully understood, however, that an
object lesson was intended TO convince
them that their status is one of subject
colonis,s without American constitutional
rights. No Porto Rican could be found to
act the part Of chief torturer. That pleas
ant duty was undertaken by an enlisted
man Of the Fifth Cavalry, named Schwei-
ger. under a penitentiary sentence for
murder. on condition OF pardon.
As our readers will remember. there
were FIVE victims. They were driven to
the scafold on the plaza in open carts, ac-
companied by priests. Every arrangement
had been made TO render the spectacle as
public and impressive as possible. The
American police took charge Of the work
company Of American troops was drawn
up in sight to prevent disorder. The an
cient and long disused implements Of hor-
TOR were in evidence. The paraphernalia
had been tinkered as well as might be, but
was in poor condition. We quote from the
narrative Of New York World" corre-
spondent who attended the function:
'Nesr the scaffold. raised wooden affair twelve
by twenty flour feet, reached by staircase ten
feet high. waited another crowd with hushcd
voices and white. frightened faces. Up the stairs
the shacklcd men were led by the police and each
seated in the chair which was a part Of the
gauoting machine and Of the details Of which no
student Of American government can longer af-
ford 10 be ignorant
The back OF the chair is toward the post
which holds in place the iron collar regulated by
the great stranglng screw. Two heavy rings OF
lion, l0inted together. attach the criminals feet
TO the floor. While this Is being arranged his
neck is forced into the pitiless iron embrace Of
the garrOte and the screw frightened a little, lrS'
be escape and the State be cheated OF its victim
LETT resting In his lap. FINALLY the black cap Is
drawn over ms face and he sits po"erlcss 10
move hA4I oif4u'n, DaiF the outlines u ms
form Elslbie' hhe sabie spectre. ms work was
cone Ds 1ateias anu ms Two aaslst4nis-Tatner
buLkiislEr iot tHe1 were unused 10 II, ana the
screws were rusty rom iohg I4ck OF usage. AZ
4asl an nNe o. 'Ae eenoehneu sat mere sable
shIouaed waiting Tor theiF iiFes 10 be 0hciaiy
crushed out
Tho areufng carer,oniee r,re, have hoo,
A
eminenuy interesting to the spectators.
As an Illustration NJ the Administrations
crown colonial pohcy "hat cOulu nave Deen
more thrilling or representative, Again
,,-. ,,,..... 49,. ..,t-,,-1,g,, ,,,-..-,,o,,,,,.
We HNo'e 'Ne 0o' u
''Oue Of the priests stepped 90 the front Of
the seafold and began 20 pray. he was agitatcd.
and bis words were iudistinguishsblc But when
be came 90 the Amen he spoke IL llearly-It
was the signal Tie CNcguti1ncr who stood be
hind Furpnio RolrRuez threw an hi, strength
% the cruel screw Il turned slowlv-on, reyo-
luton sound q indsscribablc agony came
from kodrieuez's throat. That meant that be
,.r1,. t1s s,r,pgiirg sj5,,iy he &C., ,r.,sa-
revolution II the screw.