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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Times, 1885-11-13, Page 40",kerdindam t1314445 FRIDAY, NOV, 1$xr, 1.885, CAPITAL PUNISPIMENT. To the Editor of Tux Trat>vs. Stn, --Ina recent issue of your paper, in inferring to the case of Biel, you say: "Tux Tom does not believe in capital punishment," etc, would you kindly state your reason for such belief? `vingitam, Nov, MI; 1885. INgur$rTivx. In troniplying with our correspon- dent's request it will be necessary for us to limit our remarks, for the reason that it would be almost impossible to state all the objections to capital pun- ishment in a single issue, with the limited space at our command. With- out discussing the cold-blooded bar- barity of the custom; we might state that our chief objection lyes in the fact that many persons have been com- pelled to pay the penalty of crimes of which they were entirely innocent. We believe in the axiom that it is better ninety•nine guilty persons should escape than that one innocent one should suffer, It is an undis Puted fact that many innocent per- sons have been convicted upon cir- cumstantial evidence and executed, The records of the Scottish courts show that within a period of some fifty years over three hundred inno- cent persons have been hanged 1 This alone, we think, should justify us in opposing capital punishment. Prob- ably many of our readers will remem- ber the case of Joseph Tompsett and Geo. Lowder, who were executed at Piston, on June 20th, of last year, for murdering a man named Jones. They were convicted upon purely circum stantial evidence; they protested their innocence on the scaffold, but they were nevertheless hanged. What a thrill of horror went over Canada a short time after when it was reported that old man Lowder had confessed on his deathbed that he committed the deed himself 1 It is such instan- ces as these, and they are almost in- numerable, that places the stamp of condemnation upon the practice, in our estimation. Then, again, the idea is to punish those who commit mur- der. There are various degrees of guilt'in this respect. There are those who deliberately plan the deed and carry it out, and there are those who in the heat of sudden passion, without deliberation or malice aforethought, accidentally strike their victim in a vital spot. One is deliberate, the other accidental Yet in the eyes of the law they are placed in the some category, and are punished alike. We maintain that the latter class is not guilty of murder in the proper ac- ceptance of the term, but at the same time we acknowledge that it is a diffi- cult matter at times to distinguish' between the two. It reminds us of the Esquimaux who, to make sure that the dog which stole his provisions should not escape punishment, thrash- ed the whole team. in addition to punishing the guilty ones, hanging is intended to serve as an example, a warning to others. That it falls short of both objects, we honestly believe. Clanging does not prevent or curtail murder. This fact is conclusively shown by comparing the records of .places where the practice is in exis- tence and where it is not. As far as punishment is concerne I, hanging is simply a myth. It puts an end to a man's existence and to his troubles, and that is all. There is n3 real pun- ishment. We maintain that the proper way to tarnish the guilty one is to take away his liberty, and in the solitude of his cell the prisoner's conscience woul1 mete out the punishment in proportion to the degree of his guilt. The ere guilty of deliberate and pre- meditated maneler would be punished with remorse, white the one guilty of " accidental" murder, as we might term it, would be punished with re- morse or regret in proportion to his crime. We believe that capital pun- ishment should be abol sial and im- prisetruent t.ubst:tuted. TOO MANY SIIOWS, The Clinton Now Era has a timely and seusiblo article on the above sub jest, and vvo quite agree with the sen- timents expressed therein. It says ; In the ,county this year there has been twelve seperate exhibitions held, .A11 of tliem. have been tolerably good fairs considering the limited extent of territory which each would cover, yet in another sone, not one of them has amounted to very touch. Because they lyre limited in their operations and finances, they cannot accomplish as much good as if they were on a larger basis. The prizes are neves sarily small; the judges are usually selected from close about the place of exhibition, and are more or less fam- iliar with nearly all the articles shown in any department; abuses of one sort or another are allowed to exist because the directors of township socities do not care to offend and are not willing to stand strictly by the rules 'of their society. The latter half of the second day of the show is usually all the time that the show is iu progress, and this is too short a time for the amount of trouble and expense to which exhibitions are put. The small exhibitions have been useful in their day, and have stimu- lated progress and enterprise in all departments of industry, But have they not outlived their usefulness 4 Could not the end sought be obtained by other means 4 Would it not be an advantage to do away with one-half or more of the small shows, unite the funds and hold one large show instead of five small ones ? There are very few but will answer in the affirmative. One thing claimed in favor of the township show is that the people are brought together, and a social feeling cultivated. The same argument holds good in favor of a large show if held for a longer time than the small shows. At near]all the exhibitions this fall we have asked the exhibitors and spectators on this subject, and find them to be largely iu favor of a united show. We believe that if the direc- tors of several socities were to amal- gamate, just as an experiment, for one year, they would find the change so successful that they world not go beak to the system of a show for nearly every township and cross -road in the county. The county of Huron should at least have one first-class show; at present we have a dozen that are mediocre. Let the directors put their beads together and. see if tiny cannot do something better. The people of different municipalities will support them in doing it, and they cannot wake a change too soon. RIBBON BEER. Ribbon beer of whatever complex- ion—red or blue—has received its death blow in Scott Act counties by the recent decision of Judge McDow- ell, at Toronto. In giving *his decis- ion in an appeal case, the judge took a sensible view of the subject. He said it would be opening a wide door to a fraudlent evasion of the Act, and its wise provisions for controlling and regulating the sale of and traffic in in- toxicating liquors, if a Liquor which contained even so small a percentage as 2?r to 3 per cent. of alcohol could be openly offered for sale without a license, in every grocery, house, or shop in the community. The law is not made alone to regulate what shall be sold to the man accustomed to the use of liquor, but is equally for those who are unaccustomed to its use, and these also must be protected. No one can be allowed to offer for sale with- out a license, under the guise of a temperance beverage, a liquor which is capable, if freely drunk, of produc- ing even the incipient stages of intoxi•, cation. He thought blue ribbon beer will do this if used freely by the clans of persons last mentioned, though doubtless its effects upon more season- ed drinkers may be questioned. Such being the case magistrates should have no difficulty in, arriving at a decision when such a case conies before them. , It has beoa judicially condemned as an 1 into ticating boversge ani roust be tato! as sac), pure and simile, A FITTING RECEPTION. The Reformers of London have de tided to tender lion. Edward Blake a banquet on his rerurn from Europe and preparations are being tirade to have the ro3eption worthy of the guest. Mr, Blake is recuperating his health, which was greatly shattered during the last session of Parliament iu heroically defending the liberties of his fellow -countrymen, and wo earnestly hope he may return greatly invigorated in mind and body and prepared to reenter the work with renewed vigor. Such a reception as proposed at London is an eminently fitting one. Mr. Blake's conduct re- quires no vindication or apology at the hands of the Reform party of Canada, but a demonstration and banquet would be a proper answer to the slan- ders and calumnies of the Conserva- tive press .about him, THE county council of Lincoln, after debating the subject for several years, has finally resolved to establish an industrial farm on which to sup- port the poor of the several munici- palities. It is pleasing to note such humane and christiaa acts. In this wealthy county of Huron our council has not even debated the subject. We have a jail into which poor people are cast, for it is a crime to be poor in such a wealthy county. Just think 1 a crime to be poor. it is expected that the Dominion Parliament will be called together on January 21st. But few Government measures 'are expected, and an at- tempt will likely be made to rush the business through, so as to avoid hos• tile discussion. Next summer the election campaigning wilt be in full swing. if, indeed, the wily Tory leader does not follow the course pursued by him in 1882, and spring an election on the country a year ahead of the pro- per time. • The Canadian Pacific Railway com- pany's steanTer Algoma, which left Owen Sound Thursday, the 5th inet., went ashore in a blinding snow storm and gale of wind on Isle Royal, Lake. Superior. at 4 a. in. Saturday. About eight passengers and twenty-five of the crew are supposed to have been lost. The steamer was dashed upon the rocks and is a total wreck. She was valued at $450,000: Cross -Cut Saws, Sleigh Cow Chains, Chopping Axes Lanterns, Lamps, &cm Our aimis to buy the best goods in the market and sell them at the lowest remnuerative prices. Go to the BIG SALE in he BEAVER BLOCK Winghamt and Inspect to " BARGAINS IN DRESS GOODS, BARGAINS IN CASHMERES, BARGAINS IN VELVETEENS, BARGAINS IN : OSIER", BARGAINS IN CORSETS, B.rgain,s in 2.11 =�Y The assortment is large and we offer you UV AND SEASONABLEOO TO SELECT FROM WHICH HAVE BEEN PURCHASED AT A RATE ON THE DOLLAR ENABLING US TO PLACE GOODS BEFORE YOU THAT WILL REPAY YOUR IN- SPECTION BEFORE YOU BUY. WE WOULD ULL TIS A?TN?N DF THE !SE OS_ TO OUR Replete with attractions under the able management of Miss Brownlow, of Toronto. W�0 I BXrRSRC'T. --HAVING REMOVED MY STOCK OF— BOOKS I?' BOOKS :& STATIONERY —TO TH E— DA.WSON BLOCK,• In the store lately occupied by A. Dawson, tailor, I will add a large stock of Xtnas Goods to it and give greater bargains than —ever. Call and see me and inspect my stock.— See my combined scribbling book & dictionary FOR 10 CENTS_ MY REMAINING STOCK OF WALL PAPER AT A SMALL AD= V ANCE ON COST PRICE FOR CASH. W. G. G. READING, WINGHAM. R=EL'S DOOM It is understood that the sentence Riel has nothing to do with the fast increasing business of the firm of Messrs. Scott & Bell, NhoIesaJe & furniture Manufacturers o� wzivaxA.M. THIS ITEM HAS BEEN ENGAGED FOR UPWARDS OF 15 YEARS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF Office, Church, Lodge & Household. Furniture. We are now able to fill all orders, wholesale and retail, We cannot be undersold, as wo are the largest manttf'acturers --in Duron. Try us for— BEDROOM &.. PARLOR SUITES IN MA– H7C,ti.ANY WALNUT & MARBLE TOPS. Furniture orders for carloads always lime our prompt attention, Said logs taken at our saw mill in exchange for Furniture. SCOTT & 'BELL WINGrHA1V.L.