The morning journal-courier., 1908-07-06
UNDER PRESENT CONDITIONS.


 It is always profitable to consider every side of any important public question. In the Saturday issue of this paper Rev George Buck of North Gullford takes exception to our view previously expressed in regard to cap ital punishment. The clergyman quotes the familiar words, regarded as spoken to Noah: "Whoso sheddeth mans blood by man shall his blood be she'd" as a command holding good for all time and justification of cap tal punishment It is inconceivable that the ideas of primitive period in the life of nomadic tribe and attrib- uted to an unhistoric time could pos sibly apply to established modern civilization. The information of that remote period Is meager and tradi- tional in character. It Is inconsistent with reason and the moral progress of the human race to suppose that the larger knowledge of growing civ ilization has nothing to impart but is subject always to primitive thought and practice. The very words, Thou shalt not kill" are simple enough In their meaning and were spoken with out modification to an organized na- ton and with other commands con- stitute the fundamental moral prin- clples of people who had advanced far from their primitive beginnings
 Christ nowhere prescribed penalties for crimes, for He was not a legisla- tor but he taught ethical principles, wisely leaving 1t to advancing clvili- zation to apply them in detail in con formity with the highest interests of any time. He distinctly warned his hearers against the idea of an eye for an eye and tooth for a. tooth" which they had heard from olden time, for 1t involved the spirit of re- venge.
 There are economic, ethical and re- demptive reasons for the abolition of capital punishment A murderer by his act deprives society and especial ly some family. Of the labor power. of his victim. There have been instances where the supporter of a family has been killed and the family cared for at added cost to a community. To de- stroy the murderer destroys more la Dor power. Let the murderer be im- prisoned for life and put to work at q fair wage. A part of his wage Is to he deducted for his keeping and the larger part turned over to the family he has injured When a man under stands that for life his labor power will be used to support those he has injured, he may avoid the act In his  own interests, These are simply ideas that have been advanced In the econ omic argument by such criminologists as Lombroso.
 If at some point in accommodating evidence an error has been made in convicting murderer he has oppor- tunity to prove his innocence and jus. tice can be done him in way more substantial while he is alive than when he is dead and society will no, have to bear the social and moral injury of having shed innocent blood
 The redemptive reason for dlsplac- ing capital punishment with some thing better Is not unimportant. While the alleged murderer lives there Is op- portunity for a change of character The best enlightening and disciplinary methods may be used for his improve. ment in mind and heart. An official or credal repentance is not enough to make a bad man good one, but a deep and radical change of character which takes time and effort as does anything worth accomplishing The while question is after all: "Is such a mans labor power worth saving to so- ciety? Is the man himself worth say ing?"