A horrible scene occurred in an execution at Leeds on
Tuesday, through the breaking of a rope,—a scene which ought to compel the public to reconsider the needless risk of such scenes, and the absolute necessity for an executioner who is degraded by his office, involved in our present mode of capital punishment. John Henry Johnson was to be hanged, for his murder of Amos Waite at Bradford on December 26th last. But the rope broke, and the wretched criminal had to endure ten minutes of delay, with the white cap still over his face, before the second execution could be proceeded with. What is the necessity for all this risk, and the demoralising popular sympathy with the victim of the law which it must necessarily cause ? Would not death by shooting, which could easily be so managed that there need be no public execu- tioner, and no risk of failure, be as effective a deterrent as hanging? If so, it would be infinitely more humane and secure against mishap.
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