Capital Punishment

the taking of life as a penalty for wrongdoing. In England, prior to the American Revolution, 160 offenses were punishable with death. Among these were shoplifting, or stealing in shops to the amount of five shillings, and counterfeiting revenue stamps placed on perfumery and hair powder. Stealing a sheep was visited with the same penalty as killing a man. The main object of punishment being to deter others from committing crimes, the advisability of capital punishment has been questioned; imprisonment for life has been suggested, but few believe that a life sentence is dreaded as much as a death sentence. In England and other civilized countries death is now the penalty for murder and treason only. In the army and navy, offenders may be shot for various military offenses, including desertion and disobedience, and dangerous neglect of duty. President Lincoln interfered, it may be remembered, to save the life of a young sentry who had fallen asleep at the post of duty. Death by torture, such as burning at the stake and breaking on the wheel is no longer permitted by humane governments. Beheading and hanging are the usual methods. Electrocution, or death by a current of electricity, is instantaneous, and has been tried with success. It is prescribed by the laws of some states. Opinion in favor of executions removed from the public gaze is growing. The hour chosen is not infrequently midnight. In the United States the sentence of a court requires to be approved and the date of execution set by the governor. See Martial Law