Weekly journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1908-1929, 1912-10-23
SETS HIS JUDGMENT
ABOVE LAW OF STATE.

Governor Hunt has rcpricvcd four
Mexicans who were under sentence
OF death and due for execution at
the Florence prison. The rcpricve
stays the execution until April 18th,
next year and as written by the
puts forth his argument
in favor Of law abolishing capital
in this state.
The governor gives as a reason
for his act his individual belief that
capital punishment is not in har-
mony with the progressive govern
ment which has been established in
Arizona whieh he declares Is found
ed on humanity, utility and econ
omy.
The prisoners repricvcd by the
governor were all tried by jurics,
convicted and sentenced to be hung
in Yavapai county. They were con
victcd under the laws OF the state
and we have heard OF no protest
against the law under which they
were tried. either in Yavapai coun-
~ or in the state. The governor in
granting the reprieves Is not acting
because citizens Of the state have
protested against the execution oil
these sentences, neither does he sug
gest that there arc or may be dis
covered extenuating circumstances
that would be warrant for mercy
but rests his case alone on his own
individual belief that capital pun.
ishment is wrong and should be
taken from the statute books.
The announcement that Governor
Hunt is opposed to capita! punish.
mcnt is not new. In his first mes.
sage to the legislature one OF hi.
recommendations was for the abol
ishment of the death penalty fol-
crime. The first session OF the leg
islature did not pass the recommend
cd law, neither did the second spec
ial session comply with the cxecu
tive desire in this matter. How.
ever. the governor still hopes thai
at the next special session, due tho
early part of next year the legisla
ture will pass the law abolishing the
death penalty sentence for murder
ers. Failing in this hope the gov
ernor expresses his intention &c
bring this law before the people
for a vote. by means Of initiative
petitions. at either a special or gen
crai election.
This paper does not for momen
question that Governor Hunt Is act
ing in accordance with the dictate
Of his conscience in this matter. bu
we believe that his desire to d.
away with capital punishment Il
Arizona will not be gratified eithe
by the legislature or majority o
the people OF the state. When III
legislature at two sessions this yea
failed to pass the law recommend
ed by the governor there wa
no protesting sentiment observabl
in Arizona and no suggestion Ina
been made that the people would IL
itiate such law. Notwithstanding
has been known for several month
that the death sentence was Resin
on these four reprieved men.
In Arizona the legislature sevcr'
years ago provided that the deaf
sentence could not be applied in
criminal case. except by the Jul
} trying the case. thus allowing a Jul
finding a murderer guilty to eth
fix death penalty or life impriso
, mcnt. Under such law ju
] could not fix the death penal
{ where there was either sign or 81
gestion OF extcnuating circumstan
es
For cold biooded, deliberate mt
: der the death penalty has been a
proved in nearly every state in I
e Union and while we know nothi
: OF the merits of the cases where
n the governor has granted the
l. prieves we are OF belief that a
IS individual opinion is not suffice
Is cause for setting aside the law
n this state.
Ie No one questions the right
|e Governor Hunt to grant these
other reprieves, but we doubt u
D. reasons given for his action '
ID meet with popular approval.--Bisl
,e Daily Review.