The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-08-19
Policeman Rsrher.

To the Editor Of The Republican.
Not in a number Of years has the pub
lie conscience been either so deeply or
so widely shocked as last week in the
rigid enforcement Of the death sentence
by the courts of New York in the judg-
ment against Policeman Charles Becker.
That he came to so unhappy an end
under the sanction of the law and in
accordance with the testimony Of think
ing men, no less than sound iurists. will
be apt to agree. But, however clear
may have been the law and however iu-
controyertible may have beer the facts
adduced by the testimony. the solemn
declaration Of innocence from this "a
tional and intelligent man, uaswervi1gly
made from the time of his arrest
through all the tortuous proceedings
and wranglings Of a protracted trial and
with added solemnity after partakiog Of
the Holy Sacrament of his church close
to the death chair, will leave an abiding
question IN numbeTless minds as TO
whether the ends of justice were met OF
wrong beyond human remedy enacted.
In the great State of Georgia is z SINH
lar case reversed in aspects, where the
Executive, in the face Of loud popular
mutterings for the life of the cuIprit.
exercised a limited clemencv rather
than permit death with a reasonable
doubt existing. Within the ci1cum-
scribed view Of this writer of the Two
cases cited. neither the administration
of criminal procedure or executive &c
ton, il one or the other particular. at
fault. Still, something. seems 60 be
lacking Has the appearance Of evi-
dence bearing accepted principles of
law in these two findings lead to az in
justice beyond retrieve? If so, in what
way Is bar to be raised against future
repearings Of like enactmeuts or Gscis-
ions? In this dav of enlightened adj
vancemant and of civilization, with ex-
perience improved by wisdom, solution
somewhere will appear to release Grim
inal punishment from its present anti
quated custom Already, we are in
formed, in governments of longer stand
ing than our own, it has been found wise
to relieve all administrators of the law
from the burden, under any cilc4n-
stances, Of imposing the death sentence.
Cases are of frequent record in which
the offender is guilty of murder the
first degree or free from any guilt. He
is entitled, under any charge, to the
benefit Of the doubt. An imaginary
doubt may be argued SO near reality
as to cause a jury, if not court, in
order to escape the pain and RESPONSE
bility Of the death decree, to free
guilty criminal and lower regard for the
law. Following the abolition Of capital
punishment, foreign courts, distinguish
ed for their skill in legal jurisprudence
have, it is SAID, established enactments
somewhat as follows; Where the pris-
oner is found guilty OF the highest
crime known to the law, he is sent with
a record of the findings to the peniten-
tiary for punishment. If, after Just
service, the board considers him a
reformed man to be trusted with his
freedom it may discharge him, but in
the absence of such reformation the
Imprisonment at some employment con
tinues until either a cure or death.
Such procedure wears the semblance
of mercy, holding out even to the most
depraved offender against life or order,
an opportunity for redemption and for
an exchange Of the rags of criminaiity
for the cleaner garments of a pure life
An insane man is not assigned to an
asylum for day, a month or a year,
but until he is cured and restored in
mind and will be sane and safe among
his fellows
RELLIM