The Record-courier. [volume] (Gardnerville, Nev.) 1904-current, 1921-12-09
Two LethaI Gas
Candidates
Much SPECULATION Is RIFE As
TO CONSTRUCTION OF CELL,
METHOD OF ADMINS
TERING GAS

18th the conviction of Gee Jon and
Hughie Sing for the murder of Quong
hee at Nina, and the recommendation
OF the death sentence by the jury,
speculation naturally runs toward
the new law which provides for the
death sentence by the lethal gas
route, says tie Appeal
At the last session of the legisla-
ture a bill was passed and signed by
the governor authorizing state execu-
tons by lethal gass, which peans any
deadly gas which vii lproduce almost
instantaneous death, and there are a
number
Since the passage of the law prac-
tically every state in the Union has
made inquiry relative to the procedure
of such executions, Nevada being the
first state to adopt what is believed
10 be the quickest and most painless
mode of execution for condemned per-
sons.
AS to the mode of administration,
the details of the execution room and
the state witnesses to the execution
will all have to be worked out and
undoubtedly some consideration has
been given toward death chamber
at the new prison.
Governor Boyle, who signed the bill
and who has always maintained that
the old modes of execution are crude
IN every respect, recently gave out the
following relative to the carrying out
OF the death penalty by poison gas:
There are a number of lethal gases
that may be employed. Any will pro-
duce practically instant death. | salts
fled myself thoroughly concerning this
phase OF the proposition before sign
ed the bill | am convinced that this
method of execution can be simply adj
ministered and will be effective.
THE gas will be administered by
some person designated by tn war
den. II Will be given by mechanical
methods. The execution by this me-
thod will not be painful.
Il do not believe, however. it is re-
lated in any respect to the abolition
of the death penalty.
The tieklish job OF providing the
convenience for sending a human be-
sng across the great divide by lethal
gas has been assigned to the state
architect. He must build a chamber
in which the victim may be housed
while the watchers and witnesses
provided by law are present while he
IS put to death. AS is well known, in
connection with lethal gases used dur
ing the war, the slightest diffusion of
these elements caused widespread
havoc
1T is not possible to build a cham
ber which is relatively hermetically
sealed because it will not permit that
the provisions of the law to be car
ried out Neither is glass chamber
feasible. The likelihood is that the
death chamber will be so built that
the gases will be blown away from the
necessary witnesses and watchers If
any fumes should escape
1T is anticipated the gas will be ad-
ministered much as gas is admins
tered to a patient in a dental chair
or TO person preparing for a surgi-
cal operation. In other words, it Will
/ no q form, of araathaoia apd tha a,5-nit,-
istration will probably be an expert
anaethetieian chosen from among
physicians or male nurses. Those who
favor this method of dealing death
declare it is absolutely painless. Most
of the advocates of the measure be-
lieye that the condemned criminal
should be given a sleeping potion in
his food and that the lethal gas should
be administered in the subsequent
chamber The claim that no gas can
be administered without awakening
- deeper is disputed
Worldwide interest has already
focused upon the state with its vast
area and its small population on ac-
count of this extraordinary death pen
atty Students of prison reform are
divided concerning the humanity Of
the measure. Its application will be
watched with exceptional interest by
scientific organizations and colleges.
Many have asked to be kept advised
concerning the developments in the
premises. 1t is probable that the first
victim Of judicial vengeance under this
act will die in the presence of a very
distinguished gallery. Physicians and
students of physiology and toxicology
will come from all parts Of the West"