Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-12-11

MT. hcndun or west WINDSOR lOOkcu
on capital punishment as legalized muir
der Vermont should take an enlightened
place among States. We do not need
hanging to protest society in this day. In
vermont, not long ago, the life of an in
nocent man was taken, as afterward APP
peared.
Mr. O'Sullivan favored the bill He was
anxious for the safety OF the measure,
and proposed two amendments. The first
provided death sentence for any person
who, while under sentence by provisions
of the bill. commit murder or assault
with intent to kill He supported the
amendment in a speech portraying how
this condition of things could be brought
about.
Mr.. McFeeters said he was opposed to
capital punishment. He knew the ques-
ton was an old one. It remains unsettled
and will remain so until settled on the
basis of right and justice. lie questioned
the benefit of capital punishment as
deterrent from crime. Does 1t prevent
murder? This result could not be found.
1t has increased crime. Mr.. McFeeters
gave statistics in support or his claim.
AS you cheaper human life you increase
crime. lie drew from the story OF the
cross point in endorsement of his OPP
position to capital punishment. Michigan's
experience has proved the beneficial ef-
feet of abolishing capital punishment.
| From the Molineux trial he drew lesson
of the peril of hanging innocent men.
Capital punishment is a disgrace to the
| state we love so well.
Mr. Peck of Brandon said there were
two classes, the moral class who do right
! because 1t Is right, and the class who do
| right only because they are compelled to.
What arc we to do with that class of men
who have no regard for human life? He
denied that the gallows was not deter
rent to murder. How are you to protect
| nIx,o H.
! Caswel and other cases where life i'm
prisonment has failed by reason OF execu-
tive pardon. He said he would vote for
life Imprisonment when the pardoninS
power was taken from the governor.
Christ himself drove tho wrong doors
from the temple. You don't think OF the
victim of the crime. Is the assassin to
be treated better than his victim? He
could not conscentiously vote to remove
the punishment from man whom the
courts have said is guilty of murder.
Mr. Kendall Of West Windsor moved
to amend the amendment by Mr.. O'Suli-
van by substituting solitary confinement
for the rest of life in lieu of the death SEN
tence.
Mr.. C'Sullivan thought this more crue
, than the death sentence
/. Mr.. Dixon of Hardwick opposed thu
amendment by Mr.. Kendall.
Mr.. Kendall defended his amendment
, He didn't believe in killing. The amend
ment would do away with the states sir
in taking life, and prove deterrent.
Mr. Smith opposed the amendment n
providing punishment in excess OF tn
> crime.
Mr. Rider of Bristol opposed it also a
81, involving an absurtlity.
!, Mir Bailey of NeWbury said this was
auction for n man 10 settle with himself
his oath and his Maker The idea of tax
ing life is repugnnnt. He favored TIL
, amendment.
MIR. Kendalrs amendment was disagree
O to.
Mr. Warner of Vergennes opposed MI
, O Suliivan's amendment. not believing
= right to take life under any circumstances
= The amendment of Mr.. o Sullivan wa
:, disagreed to.
MIR O. sullivan offered another amend
ment, providing death penalty for person
=, | convicted OF murder in connection wit
. indecent assaults on women. The spcake
said he was deeply impressed with III
. value placed on human life. Yet all III
" nations are armed to the teeth for the tai
= ing of human life. If nations have tn
= right, why have not states the right tt
!, their own protection. God created societ
!. and gives it the right to protect itsel
- There are things more sacred than 81
, ciety, among them the chastity of o,
~ women Should not those men who trait
" in women be hanged? The speaker sa
he favored the bill itself but those demon
who ruin womankind should not be give
immunity, when they bring death in Il
accomplishment of their vile purpose
- | Murders of the ordinary sort are oft'
. the result Of quick impetuosty, but VIII
70 shall be said of these monstrous, delibera
=. crimes against women and children? III
" amendment would perhaps prevent lyme
- ing, when mols are aroused. 49, amen
~, mept was agreed to.
,e Mr.. Rider of Bristol favored havii
- a clear case before convictng man
~ murder. He did want. however, to hay
" society protected from the midnight ASA
e. sin. He recalled modern Instances to sho
10 the necessity Of dealing summary WI
~ this class of villains.
l." Mr. Dixon of Hardwick said il was
=, worse to kill by law than TO Kill othe
~ wise. This is precautionary the age
murder He gave statistics to show tn
u this Is the case. This bill puts a pr
r., MUM on treason, and an encourageme
( to the worst of criminals who plan mu
az der coolly and deliberately He scout
oc the idea of imprisonment for life wou
VI be deterrent. There is too much sick
W sentimentality about this whole thing. '
ought to go slowly and think twice befo
~ we pass this bill 1t is nor vengeance
v, want but protection of society again
~ the murderer. He regarded capital punlS
- ment as the greatest deterrent we have
- the only effective one.
Mr.. Durick of Castleton said the oDJ
p of capital punishment is solely as det
i rent. How Is 1t that the death peha
! has not lessened murder
Mr.. Dixon of Hardwick read from
port showing that light sentences
held to be responsible.
Mr.. Durick cited the case of the '
mont soldier condemned to death
sleeping at his post and said he WIS.,
to be recorded for the bill.
Mr. Simpson Of Sheffield said this v
the second time he had had the chance
vote against capital punishment.
danger of executing an innocent man
sufficient reason for opposing this form
punishment.
Mr.. Wheeler of Troy cited case d
ing the rebellion when two soldiers W
executed, and justly, for giving inform
ton to the enemy.
Mr.. OBrien said he voted no two We
ago and would do so again. He would
most favor hanging for lazness as u
did in ancient times. The man who is
lazy to work will sometimes commit m
der
Mr.. Fish of Royalton again spoke
favor of the bill thinking the time
come to abolish capital punishment.
Mr.. Hayward of Tunbridgc emphasi2
from his army experience, the deterr
effect of capital punishment. He faVo
retaining IL on the statute books.
Mr. Mattison of Glastonbury oppo
the bill. He thought the law OF the ST
gave every murderer all the chance
could desire to escape an undeserved de
sentence.
Mr. Dixon Of JJardwick refuted cert