The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1916-02-24
CIRCULATING PETITION
TO ABOLISH CAPITAL PUN
.ISHMENT IN COLORADO

Harry G. Fisher of Denver. who ad-
dressed the Christian Endeavor socie-
ty at the First Presbyterian church
here last Sunday evening, is making
a strong campaign throughout the
state in opposition to the capital pun
ishment law of Colorado. The State
Federation of Women's clubs at its
meeting in Colorado Springs last sum-
mer went on record passing a strong
resolution condemning capital punish
ment and instructed its Legislative
committee to arrange for the initia-
ton of bill asking for its abolition.
THE bill has been prepared and has
been made part of the petition.> 1t
is being circulated and the hope is
expressed by its friends that it will
receive at least $4,000 signatures
A. J. Garfield of Pueblo. head of the
good citizenship department of the
Society of Christian Endeavor of
Colorado, is also interested in the peti
ton and the Endeavorers throughout
eAiS SSntCs dS HCil lut w. u l. t.
will be asked to aid in securing sign
ers to the petitions. Through these
organizations it is proposed to reach
the churches also. and plans will be
outlined from practically every pulpit
in Colorado on a specified day next
month. The petitions are 10 be re-
turned to Mrs. II. NJ. Monroe of Den
yer, chairman of the legislative com
mittee of the Women's clubs, by April
1st.
TIE movement to abolish capital
punishment in Colorado is gaining
strength every day." asserts Mr.. Fish
er. Everywhere the matter is pre-
scented the general publis is respond
ing with enthusiasm. The petitions
now being circulated are being sign.
ed in large numbers and at an early
date the matter will be taken up by
the churches under the direction of
the citizenship department of the Chris
tian Endeavor organizations.
"Theer seems to be no great opposi-
tion to-the present movement, at least
no organized movement to prevent
the abolishing of the present law.
Experience in Colorado shows that
capital punishment law does not re-
duce crime, while the states where
there is no such law-such as Kansas
and Michigan-have the lowest per-
centaSe of crime
Perhaps the strongest argument in
favor Of abolishing this law, is the
fact that 50 long as we have such a
law on our statute books, Colorado is
deprived OF the services OF many high
minded citizens. There are a consid-
cradle number Of attorneys who will
never aspire to the position of dis
trict attorney, because they would not
be party to sending a man to the
gallows. And there are hundreds OF
citizens Who never serve
on jury in murder trial. because
they would not agree to have the
state take human life.
Speaking from the financial side
Of the question. the present capital /
law has caused unneces-
sary litigation and expense to the
state. When a man is sentenced to
be hung he win naturally fight to the
last for his life. Consequently trial
after trial. is had on each case and
years often pass before final decision
is reached. II life Imprisonment were !
the extreme penalty that could be me-
ted out the state would be saved !
much trouble and expense. for there /,
would be no appeals II is not the |
of guilt that causes litiga- |
tion-but the punishment of death.
Consider two cases fresh in the |
public mind. Oscar Cook is to be
hung at Canon City next week for
crime committed four years ago. Ev.
cry conceivable method has been REL
sorted to to save him from the gal |
lows. and the state has paid the bill. |
On the other hand. there is Henwood, |
who had three trials. Twice he was |
sentenced to be hung, and the third !,
time received a life sentence And
since the last trial no further appeal |
has been made. II life Imprisonment |
were the penalty attached for commit. |
ing murder the state will he saved all
Of this trouble and expense. and So
ciety will be just as well protected as
if the man who committed the act
were dead"
MANY CHILDREN HAVE MoRMs |