Arizona republican., 1915-08-04
The Pinkiey Bill

The Republican yesterday received the follow ing communication:
 There are a few of us that want know thing about this Pinkley Bill that is being initiated
 Is 2 constitutional amendment or is it just to people into abolishing capital pun ishment interfering with the constitutional right parole board and governor to pardon the day if they should be disposed?
 Some time in the future, when it suits your con- venience. if will let me know through the columns of your paper just the true inwordness of you will oblige number of subscribers your paper.
 The measure which the writer refers the Pinkley Bill is proposed constitutional amend It is proposed initiative law similar to the Pinkley Bill which introduced into the house the special session of the legislature, but was not acted upon The Pinkley Bill intended Q liam" the people, but it intended to substitute for capital punishment the certainty of life Imprisonment. except in cases where it should be shown by later developments a prisoner had unjustly convicted. Under such law neither the governor board of pardons and paroles could interfere with a life
 The introduction the bill precipitated by the approaching execution of five men, and there N a hope that if favorable action taken it by the legislature the board of pardons and paroles could be induced to recommend reprieve these Some dou't is entertained whether would constitutional inasmuch it pro- poses deprive the of the power. since limited by the legislature, of communication, pardon and parole for certain crimes other than those ernpted by the constitution This doubt would have been removed if the measure were proposed constitutional amendment instead of initiated bill
 Reverting to the expression "flim-flam," the suspicion that the purpose of the promoters of the Iill sincere the of the fever ish circulation of petitions just before the the execution several murderers a Florence. though year and a half have elapsed before the bill could go before people Thus the immediate object the bill be to induce the board of pardons and paroles to hold up executions of those just they pended two years ago. that the people might another anti-capal punishment bill though they defeated November.
 The board of pardons and paroles has since made it clear that it will be affected by tue submission of bill. but will proceed under the law which the people have already endorsed, will anticipate the expression of the people than a year hence.
 We think. though, that if the people could be brought believe that the bill constitutional, and if they should be prejudiced by which has been made of in behalf the Victed murderers very large majority of peo- pie of this would support it. There are, we believe. very few people who hangings sake of hangings. People a rule do not look capital punishment of revenge. but, the first place. for the permanent mOval of cold -bIooded murderers and a deterrent. While almost certainly life inn prisonment would a. strong a deterrent, would permanently society all Sicted murderers.
 Some objection has been made to this bill either asa legislative measure constitutional amend ment because could have guaranty that it would be repealed four years later. We think, though that contingency is be dreaded greatly. for though the laws of all the states are more cr less chameleon like. such law would probably be permanent those of Italy and Switzerland. where life imprisonment imprisonment long the convict lives The people of ths state, sure would to a modfica- the w. They would be much likely restore capital punishment.
 Japan and Russia
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