The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-27
Restoration of Death Penalty
Meets Opposition.
Attorney General GODDARD Dis
agrees With the Governor.
NELSON is IN DOUBT.
Civilization Prompts People to
Be More Humane.
Treasurer Grimes Wants Capital
Punishment Restored.

Governor Stanley. in his plan to have
capital punishment restored in Kansas
Will meet no interference by other
members of the administration. although
some OF them do not fully agree with
the governors opinion
It is expected that very soon the va
rious societies will begin adopting reso-
1utions denouncing the effort Of the gov
ernors but the governor has practically
made I'D his mind TO recommend the
restoration of capital punishment, and
his message TO the legislature Will prob
ably contain his suggestions.
Governor Stanley is convinced that
capital punishment will lessen the pos
sibility Of mob law, and therefore ia
vors it.
Attorney General GODDARD disagrees
with the governor. Mr.. GODDARD said to
a State Journal reporter:
4 do not believe in the infiction Of
capital punishment in all cases where
persons are convicted of murder in the
first degree 1t is very doubtful in my
mind If the fear of capital punishment
Is q greater preventive OF homicide than
the fear of imprisonment for life at hard
labor
1t IS not 50 much the nature of the
punishment as the certainty Of convic-
ton that prevents a commission Of such
crimes Capital punishment ought never
to be Inflicted in cases where the de-
PENDANT is convicted upon circumstantial
evidence. and if It is TO be done in this
state hereafter the determination of the
question as to whether the defendant
shall be executed or imprisoned for life
should be left with the jury that tries
the case
But in my mind there is such a feel
ing OF horror at the barbarity of an ex-
ecution that I would much prefer that
the taking of human life be not imposed
as punishment under any circum-
stances
7 think our present statute should be
amended 50 that courts will sentence
persons to Imprisonment for life in
stead OF going through the farce of SEN
fencing them to be hung, when every
one knows that the hanging Will not
be performed
Frank Nelson. state superintendent,
says. The united influences of the best
agencies in our modern social life tend
to develop a humane sentiment We are
even organizing humane societies for the
care and protection of humane animals,
and in the hours of enthusiasm we
speak of a broader and better humanity.
It would seem therefore that the dictates
of our Christian civilization would
prompt US to be more humane both in
the treatment and punishment OF our
feIloW-men.
And yet we must not lose sight of
the inbOrn- evils Of human nature It
is easy TO speak of a. reform as a theory:
It is sometimes quite difficult to realize
1t as a fact in the lives Of men and in
situations Justice is unloading; it is
stern 1t must be So Justice seeks to
equalIZe conditions IN life by reWard1ng
the good and Furnishing the evil
Now, If il should be found that mob
rule IS on the increase in states where
capital punishment has been abolished,
then it would seem that the best inter
eStS OF society would demand the rein
statement Of capital punishment in our
state. Mob rule is vicious. 1t simply
means that a number Of men get to-
gether and in moment of supreme
anger do something that one man would
not dare to do. It is a violation Of law
and an insult to justice. Under our
form of government every man is en-
titled to trial before a jury. This is
one OF the inalienable rights that we
boast of so much. This right should
be protected and preserved Mob rule
tends to destroy it.
The influence of mob rule is democrat
1zing- 1t poisons the character of the
young citfzenry- I have heard a. num-
Der of boys on the streets of Topeka
speak Of the unfortunate incident at
Iinon. Colo. and it is painful to know
the silent and baneful influences that an
unfortunate event of that kind exerts
upon the boys of our country
State Treasurer Grimes said: ''It
seams to me that a revival of the death
penalty for atrOcious crimes would be
a sensible thing. There is too much SEN
timent connected with the punishment Of
brutal criminals in this state. The pres
ent custom OF confining murderers in the
penitentlary for life is no improvement
on the old way OF disposing Of them
And then Judge Lynch too often steps
in where the strong arm of the law is
too short to Tnete out a full measure
OF justice"