Arizona republican., 1916-05-21
He Died Many Times

The execution of Francisco Rodriguez Friday brings to mind that great and cruel injustice done to that man. through the operation of the law, but through attempts to nullfy the law. For five years he held in peril of his life and have suffered many deaths. Assured times that he could not be hanged he often brought within the very shadow of the gaows If he had been the only who suffered it would have been bad enough but it mmeasuraby worse that all Arizona was made to suffer a suspension of law and order, and that during the period life within the state was rendered cheap and insecure With every reprieve Rodriguez and other condemned Florence, there was another wave of crime just when ap- peared that the law about be enforced, there was a period of repression of crime.
 For five months after the defeat of the anti capital punishment bill in November 1914 there were only homicides within the state. Within month after the wholesale repreves of murderers the follow ing May there a half dozen murders. It is now pretty well established that it is possible punish murder in this that may expect another period of repression that will last long as the law is rigdly enforced.
 We brought to another matter. the reported feeling among Spanish residents of the state that only men of their blood be hanged, and they point to the record of the past year. sixteen condemned men at Florence only Mexicans have been hanged Four Americans have been saved two by commutaton of sentence and by insanity pro- ceedings Of the last two there the disgraceful and unspeakabe Fatin in which the brutal of all murderers snatched from the gallows.
 Spanish Americans admit that it is the policy of the state government all murderers death of whatever nationality, but they complain that authorities do go great length to save men of Mexican blood Hence they declare there is racial discrimination. They say that but for the extreme actio aLen bI, Stat to Kermeen and Fatin they would not have importuned for the communication of the sentence of Rodriguez. The whole thing has been miserably managed and now trust that there may be understanding whatever punishment is prescribed for criminals shall be administered all alike.
 There is some conjecture to the effect of the Florence Friday on the fate of the pend ing anti pital punishment bill which will be b. mitted to the people in November. Probably this single execution will be of effect though if there had been no execution sentiment against the bill would probably have been embittered The chances of the bill be strengthened only by the steady forcement of the law stands. that case believe the bill will be approved by the people n- asmuch it is radically different from the bill which they defeated years ago. The pending bill leaves it almost impossible for a murderer to become the beneficiary of mistaken maudn leniency Once in confinement he is likely to remain there for life unless positive proof of miscarriage of justice later unless people should some time modify the law
 But believe that the people will consider the pending bill good substitute for capital punishment which though effective and the best deterrent yet devised when rgidly enforced, is nevertheless ab- horrent
 We trust that this bill will receive the support of the voters next fall We believe that it will be not only effectual capital punishment but it will the objections of many jurors who hesitate at capital punishment and that it will therefore make convictions certain.