Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-03-03
# We MUST MURDER
LET'S Do It CHEAPLY
Governor West Sees No Reason for
Spending $4,000 to Kill Man
When 1t Can BE Done for $1.2O.

Nnen III Chn Be Done TOT Sl'zU'
Had the bill introduced by Speaker
pat" Macarthur to substitute electro
cution for hanging as a mode of capi-
tai punishment in Oregon passed both
houses, it would have been welcomed
in the governors office with the most
ceremonious veto ever perpetrated
upon a piece Of legislation in Oregon.
While many proclamations and 9TH
er public statements issued by Cover
nor West reflect something Of a liter
ary bent in the executives makeup
1t is not often that he breaks into ac-
tual verse But had the Macarthur bill
reached his hands the monOtony Of
the house would have been broken at
the reading Of the veto message by a
few rhythmic lines from an unknown
poet which were carved years ago on
the grave stone Of a convict who was
hanged in Portland. The governor
also makes facetious remarks about
the economy of the measure.
The message, which has been resur-
rected from the gubernatorial scrap
heap, follows:
Permit me to hand you herewith
house bill No. 20, returned with my
disapproval
This is a measure which attempts
to supplant the time-tried and effec-
tive hangmans moose with the electric
current as means for the speedy,
and, 1t Is hoped, painless deportation
Of our murderers from this vale Of
sorrow to that land from which no
saddening whisper ever returns.
To my mind there are several objec-
tions to this bill. 1t bears the num-
ber 23. It was introduced on blue
Monday, on the 18th day of the year
1913.
1t calls for the expenditure of from
$4,000 to $4,000 without making ap-
preparation therefor.
Its father, am informed, has for
saken it, and not long ago pleaded
with this house that his tendeAhzAIlal
might rock it to calm and
sleep. lsgtS
l agree with the honorable speaker
in, that this is no time for the enact
ment of such a law. I,long ago, sens
ed the change that is to be wrought in
our institutions and our laws through
the intuitive justice and wisdom of the
women of this state, armed with the
ballot as they now are. They, l be-
lieve, will rise above prejudice, pas
sion and ignorance and wipe from our
laws its last splotch of medieval bar
barity Of savage and vindictive VEN
geance.
While this bill calls for a probable
expenditure of $4,000 for installation,
not to speak of the continual expense
Of upkeep and operation, one perfectly
good rope can be purchased at a total
cost Of 60 cents or $1.2O for two. There
fore the state can chant its death song
in double time, for a long period, at
practically no cost, and should the
people see fit to abolish capital pun
ishmcnt, the rope could then be put
to good use about the farm. | am not
advised as to what use an abandoned
electric chair could be put unless as a
part of the kitchen equipment.
In my opinion the taxpayers would
rather hang all their murderers for
Sl2O than to roast a few Of them for
$4,000.
The whole question, It seems to me,
is most eloQuently treated in those
beautiful lines inscribed by an un.
known poet upon the tablet of de-
parted friend who was hanged in Port
land 30 years ago They are:
Here lies Murray,
Who died in a hurry
As they did in the days of yore
He fell through a trap
Into the Coroners lap
And struck for the golden shore
| Therefore, gentlemen, return here
with house bill No, 2S with my veto.
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