Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-09-14
WHAT OUR NElGHBORS SAY
The Question Of Capital Punishment NJ
q Political Issue.
UTrom the Montpelier Argus.)

1t is not too soon to make this
question of capital punishment a CAM
paiGn issue for next year. The fright
fulness of hysteria. folderol jury jug
Cling and law defying that has fol-
lowed in the train OF this Rogers
case ought to impress itself firmly
enough on every community so that
men will go to Montpelier next year
with definite instructions for or
against capital punishment. Vermont
can't afford another Rogers case
Vergenncs Enterprise.
If we could have this matter gone over
carefully by the people there would then
be a definite undo rstanding of just where
we stand. At present all Is uncertain.
The Legislature refuses to repeal the law
and then commutcs sentences and the
people are not heard from. Some con-
vcted persons whose sentences have been
commuted in recent vars were as deserv-
ing of the ultimate punishment as Mrs.
Rogers. The degeneracy and depravity
OF the murderer has nothing to do with
the case. If punishment Is to be in
nicted for the sole purpose of punish
ment not for the protection of society.
there are some cases that would seem
long passed by. II protection and poss-
bile reformation Is to be the object OF
the criminal laws. then capital punish
ment should be abolished. 1t is gcner-
ally admitted that the kind of punish
nient inflicted has practically no infu-
ence on the amount of crime In minor
offcnses this may be different. and men
may contemplate the possibility of pun
ishmcnt and debate whether or not they
shall take their chances of being caught.
In cases where profit is involved, like
violation Of the liquor laws, this is often
the case. Murder is n different matter
and there are few cases whore it could
be presumed that consideration of the
possibly penalty had preceded the act.
1t would be a good thing for the people
OF Vermont to pass their sober judg-
mcnt in this matter and to decide. with
out any reference to Mary Rogers or any
1 other Individual whether or not tho PEN
atty now nominally imposed should be
inflicted.
NO HOPE or REFORM.
From the Lyndonville Journal)
In view of the known facts concern
ing the prison life of Mary Rogers. it
sympathy for her in the hope that public
interest and feeling will save her from
the gallows. Belief that prison disci-
pine has effected IA moral regeneration
in her is now shattered. She has been
a wicked woman and Is one yet but for
all that our Indignation should not be
vented upon this miserable creature so
much as upon the person or persons who
plotted and connived at this shame OF all
shames.
NO RACE SUICIDE.
F'rom the Brattleboro Phoenix.)
There Is no immediate danger OF race
suicide in Vermont, according to a bulle-
tin issued by the census bureau on PRO.
portion of Children In the United States
The number of children under five years
of age to 1000 females. Ii to 70 years OF
age, was 1856 In Vermont in 1900. This
exceeds tho number In any other New
England State. Maine showed $40. New
Hampshire 352. Massachusetts, $40. Rhode
Island 1854, and Connecticut $40. Although
Vermont leads the New England States
in its birth rate. it Is a little below thu
average of the United States. which was
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