East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1912-01-02
DEATH PENALTY IN
OREGON IS DOOMED
WEST RELIEVES
PEOPLE WILL VOTE 1T DOWN
Receives Statistics From Other States
Which Have Abolished Capital Pun
ishment- showing That The Effect
Has Been Satisfactory,

Portland. Ore, Dec, 2.-Governor |
Oswald West feels sure that in 1913
the people of oregon will approve by
votes at the polls his belief that capi- |
tai punishment Is wrong. He has re-
ceived statistics and expressions of
other governors from all over the
United States approving his own de-
cision that there shall be no more
| hangings in Oregon so long as he is
governor unless the people at the next
general election vote to continue the
enforcement of the capital punishment
/ law.
These figures and kilograms from
other governors prove" said Governor
West, mot only that capital punish
ment has not been a deterrent of
icrime in the states where it is prac-
ticed, but that crime has decreased in
the state where capital punishment
has been abolished and less barbarous
and more humanitarian methods of
punishment substituted"
Governor West has these kilograms:
Against Hangings.
Governor Stubs OF Kansas-Kan-
sas has not had a legal hanging in 40
=
capital punishment. Statistics posi-
lively favor this movement.
Governor Osborn of Michigan.-It
is my opinion that the anti-capital
punishment law now in vogue in this
state is an unqualified success. 1t has
conduced to more satisfactory results
and better conditions in the admins
tration of criminal justice. / am sure
that Michigan would not revert to old
conditions. Records show no increase
in crime since hanging has been abol-
ished.
Governor Porter of Rhode Island
No increase in crime is attributed to
the abolishment of capital punishment
40 years ago. No concerted effort has
ever been made to revert to former
methods.
Duncan McGregor, private secretary
of governor of Wisconsin
tolished capital punishment 80 years
ago. Present plan entirely satisfac-
tory.
These same kilograms were used by
II. G.. Cattell, who introduced a bill to
do away with capital punishment in
California at the last legislative ses-
SION OF tndt state.
Innocent Man Executed.
1t is recorded that the reason Rhode
Island did away with capital punish
ment was because 40 years ago an in
nocent man was hanged.
Capital punishment was abolished
in Maine in 1887 when two innocent
men were saved just on the steps of
the scaffold by the confession of the
guilty man.
| Governor Marshall of Indiana has
| declared against capital punishment
and by committing sentences showr
that there will be no more hanging.
in Indiana while he is governor
In Kansas the capital punishment
law was repealed three years ago a.
a dead letter, there never having beer
a legal hanging in the state.
Thirty-two death sentences hav,
been commuted in North Carolina IL
, the last 10 years.
: California has had Al legal hang
ings and IL sentences have been com
: muted.
"Other states are turning from capi
tai punishment" said Governor West
Il cannot understand why or how
Oregon people, citizens of one of tn,
most enlightened and progressiv,
n states in the union, should persist il
= legalizing hangings.
e Voters Responsible.
/ THE man who enters the polls Il
, vote yes or no on the abolishing o.
capital punishment will be under 6
! personal responsibility greater thar