The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-07-03
Fresh Expressions of Governors Capital
Punishment.

Editor Nlrginian;
Sir,-Pursuant to recent requests made Of
the governors of States where capital punish
ment does not obtain that they express them
selves as fairly and accurately as their pres
ent knowledge allowed the subject of capital
punishment they II from their posi-
tons and the standpoint of the people, ] have
the following: VIII you kindly give space to
them
wlsconsin-"The effects Of the abolition OF
capital punishment in this State have been so
satisfactory that effort has been made to
return to the old mechod Of punishment"
Kansas-"Capital punishment was abolished
ny statute in 1907. Previous to that date, and
for many years the death penalty could only
he inflicted when ordered by the governor, the
law providing that the condemned criminal
should be placed in the State prison there to
await untu the order of execution he made by
the governor No governor ever issued such
order Before the law repealed there
had peen no legal" death for years. There is
general satisfaction with the present law. There
is absolutely question in this State Of re-
turn to capital punishment
AT the census of 1910 all states where capital
punishment obtained showed increase in
high criminality of over 500 per cent. while
Kansas showed only ! 90 per cent. Increase.
ITO your specific question, DO the citizens Of
your State attribute the majority Of the high
crimes that are committed To the absence Of
statutes INJECTING the death penalty for such
crimes? ! answer No
Michigan Capital punishment abolished
in Michigan more than q half century 50
far as this office knows, concerted effort has
been made at any time within twenty or twenty
five years To renState this punishment the gen
eral opinion prevailing that the laws of this
state. Furnishing by imprisonment for high
crimes, are satisfactory
Maine-"By IA law of 1S37 the execution Of
the death penalty in measure left 10
the discretion OF the executive since there
was no limit of time within whioh ne was
compelled to issue his warrant of execution
The responsibility thus created SO great and
the sentiment against the death penalty so
active and aggressive. that there was no execu-
ton in this State for more than thirty years,
I'm 1869 a law enacted requiring the
governor and council 10 review the finding of
the court in OF conviction and sentence
OF death. and commute, pardon, or cause the
prisoner - he executed wiuhfn certain date
of time after the original sentence.
I'm 1875 the Legislature amended the law
Of 1869. so that the governor was required to
issue q warrant vi execution within fifteen
months Of the date of sentence. In 1876 the
death penalty abolished altogether In 1888
the death penalty for murder alone was re-
established, In 1885 the governor, referring to
the death penalty, remarked that there had
been an unusual number of cold -blooded muir
ders within the State during the two past years
md that The change in the law relating to muir
der mad not afforded the protection anticipated
In 1887 the death penalty again abolished
The strong minority opposed the death
penalty had much TO do with its on-enforce
ment from 837 to 1867. and the enforcement
of the law from the latter date until 1875 had
more to dc with its abolition: since the execu-
tons during this period awakened discussion
and debate upon the subject and brought the
people face to face with their responsibility and
duty in the matter. Professor Upham OF Bow