Cradley Heath & Stourbridge Observer. — 1864-05-07 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

EFFECTS OF EXECUTIONH.  And what WM there in a public execution which could tend to the prevention of crime? Two almost opposite accounts had been given in that House of the effect which the execution of the live pirates produced upon those who witnessed it ; but whichever was correct, he was convinced that executions were mischievous. If they did not produce a feslingof sympathy for the criminal, they excited in the minds of the spectators a brutal feeling which was quite as injurious to public morality. Ito did not go to the execution to which he had just referred, but he saw hundreds and thousands of men and women coming away from it, and among then. Was a group of young „girls from 14 to 18 years of age, who amid jeers and laughter were imitating the contortions of the men whom they had just seen hanged. That did not look as if they had been much impressed by theseene. WHAT SHALL WE DO WITH OUR CRIMINALS !  It was illogical to retain the punishment of death for murder alter it had been abolished in the case of atte'rpte to murder, leaving the punishment of the criminal to depend upon the accident whether hie victim lived or died. If it was asked what were we to do with murderers if we (lid not hang them, he replied, "What do you do with them now? Froui the yter 1838 to 1852, 269 persons were convicted of murder, of whom 148 were executed. Of the rest 92 were transported for life, and 29 were transported or imprisoned for short terms varying from seven years to six months; but he did not know that any of those pers.., had ever committed another murder. What did other countries do? Re believed that, upon inquiry, it would torn out thatin practioethere were very few ceuntrios which adhered to capital pi doh ment as a rule; aid although we had lost a portion of our power of transTiortation, we were not worse but rather better off in that respect than most other countries. All these matters were well worthy the consideration of a committee of that House, or of a Royal commission, and if such au inquiry resulted in a diminution of the offences for which this punishment woe inflicted, some advantage would have been gained. But if the report V 1,411 that capital punishment waste mistake, and if that report led to ite abolition, the statute which effected Mat reform would be the most glorious of all the beneficial ene4ments which had siguaiised the reign of our gracious Queen.  The above subject was argued at length by Lord H. Lennox, Mr. Mitford, Akterman Rose, Mr. New. Lord G. grey, Mr. Bright, Mr. Newdegate. Mr. Gilpin, Mr. Roebuck, Sir F. Crossley, Sir J. Walsh, Mr. Hibbert, and Mr. Maguire, many of whom are well known as strenuous advocates for the repeal of the law respectitg capital punishment for murder. After which the motion and the amendment thereto were withdrawn, and the following retolution of Mr. Nate agteed to :-- '  That an humble adorers he presented t,y her Majesty. praying that sheimay he gracioiyiy pleased to issue aßoyal crimmission to imitiire into the provisions and operation of the laws under which the punishment of death is nem in. dieted in the United Kingdom, and the wanner of noting thesame and report whether it is deiirahle to tilt, a. 7 alteration therein.  F...1211.10LS