The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-11-27
TO Invite CAPITALISTS
TO Execution OF eleven
Governor Hunt Charges That Corpora
tions Defeated the Ballot Against
Capital Punishment in Arizona and
Wants Them to See Executions

Phoenix, Arix,. Nov. s7,-Charg-
ing that corporations in this State de
fested his anti-eapital punishment bill
in the recent State election. Governor
Hunt has announced that all heads of
large enterprises in the State would re-
eeive urgent invitations % witness the
hanging of eleven men in December. He
said his guest list would include Walter
Douglas, of Phelps, Dodge 1 Co, New
York, and Colonel e, IS Randolph, head
of Southern Pacific interests in Ari-
zons and Mexico.
r. b. Sims. Warden of the peniten-
tiary, who is commanded by law TO con-
duet personally every execution, was
reported several months ago as saying
he would resign his Office rather than
perform such duty.
The prison is at Florence. sixty
miles from here. When Sims was ques-
toned by telephone concerning this
statement and the preparations for the
to death, he replied;
1T is too early to make preparations.
The executions do not occur until De-
eember l9. l have absolutely nothing
to say about any resignation. As soon
rs necessary, l presume. preparations
will begin for killing the eleven men.
| do not know who will spring the
trap. The executions will be conducted
rs provided for III the 1918 Arizona
revised statutes.
Asked if the condemned men knew
the result of the vote on the abolition
Of capital punishment which will send
them to the gallows. the Warden said:
Il presume they do. They read the
papers. I dom notice any difference
IN their actions. ! have not discussed
their fate with them"
The statutes referred 10 say:
"A Judgment of death must be ex-
eeutel within the walls of the prison.
The superintendent OF the prison where
the execution is 70 take place must De
present at the execution and must iu-
vite the presence OF physician, the
Attorney General of f<he State and at
least twelve reputable citizens to be
selected by him; and he shall at the re-
Quest of the defendant permit such
clergymen. not exceeding two. as the
defendant may name, and any persons.
relatives or friends. not to exceed FIVE.
to be present at the execution. together
with such peace officers as he may think
expedient, 10 witness the execution.
''But no other persons than those
mentioned in this section eau be pres
ent at the execution. nor can any
person under age be allowed to wit
ness the same.
Another section reads:
After the execution the superin-
tendent must make a return upon the
death warrant to the court bv which
the Judgment was rendered. showing
the time, mode and manner in whish
ii was executed.
The condemned men and a twelfth
man, who still awaits sentence. are
the accumulation of those held for cap
Ital punishment since Arizona became
a State, less few Others who have ob-
tanned new trials and minor sentences.
Most or them are impeeunjous and
some are MeXieans.
The Governor : utteranees at differ
ent times indicate his belief that most
of them, if they had money and friends
to employ capable counsel, could obtain
new trials and lesser sentences, as have
some others guilty of homicide since
mis- aum niStratiOu began.