The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-08
COMMENTS ON MEN AND>
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

reach his ears, and his profound egotism will remain undisturbed.
 The old discussion of capital punish ment has been revived. As was to be ex- pected the question is whether the gall lows or the electric chair is a more hu- mane method of disposing of our crimi- nals. Some humanitarians object to the me-honored rope, for the reason that it is too brutal and not always certain. Cases are known where the ropes have broken and precipitated candidates for eternity to the ground. Such accidents did not trouble the old vigilant commit tees, however, and when a horse thief or other objectionable character did not get off at the first hoist he was promptly strung up again. Between the electric chair and the gallows it is generally be- lieved that the latter is more salutary and is entertained with more wholesome fear by criminals. Iii the first place sus- pense is prolonged. Frequently a man who would be able to endure execution with fair degree of fortitude if it were in the electric chair is completely un- nerved by preparation for the gallows. Seated in his cell he hears the tap of hammers and some times the sound of workmen constructing his coffin. Then there Is the walk to the place of execu- tion and a silent crowd come to see him meet his death. More concentrated agony is doled out to the wretch by well mean ing preachers who delay the fateful mo- ment by their prayers. At last, after the suspense has been prolonged enough to drive most people insane, the black cap is adjusted and he is ushered out into eternity. On the other hand the electric chair Is quiet, genteel, speedy and cer- tain. The crowd is eliminated. Nerve wracking delay does not torture the vic- time, and he meets an instaneous death without having to face crowd. Men of the law who do not allow their sympa- thies to have influence favor the gallows for this very reason, that 1t Is a more terrible punishment than the electric chair. A quick death by powerful cur rent of electricity Is not so terrifying to a man who is absolutely abandoned to all. good but the slower agony of a gall, lows is an entirely different matter.
 What is the matter with our Chinese citizens? Heretofore we have been ac- customed to consider them rather nega- tive characters as regards the more vio- lent crimes, at least when they are in America and are not influenced by the Boxer spirit. but here if late there seems to be an epidemic of lawlessness among them. The other day cut-throat ran amuck In San Francisco's Chinatown and was shooting right and left when he fell into the hands of officers On his person was found a coat of mail that would in- sure him ample protection from knife or bullet. Now at Boston a desperate feud is reported to be raging among the Celes- tials, and officers are busily engaged in trying to catch the leaders. Chinaman was recently arrested for trying to snug gle three hundred 3S-calibre cartridges into a building alleged to be the head quarters of, gang of highbinders and gamblers. Take the average Chinaman away from his companions and he makes a very good citizen. but once let him sink into the debaucheries of a Chinese quarter in one of our large cities and he becomes a very tough customer.