[D8704AFJ], Letter from Alfred Porter Southwick to Thomas Alva Edison, December 5th, 1887
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D8704AFJ
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Metadata
- Title
- [D8704AFJ], Letter from Alfred Porter Southwick to Thomas Alva Edison, December 5th, 1887
- Editor's Notes
- The question does not arise as to whether we as individuals believe in capital punishment or whether the state has the right to inflict it, or whether society could not protect itself in some other way, but because capital punishment exists and is likely to continue, the question before the commission is what is the most human way to accomplish it; the rope is clearly a relic of barbarism; would execution by electricity be more humane? Your reputation as an electrician will help us persuade the Legislature to use electricity when they change the law, if you will assist us; "Civilization, science and humanity demand a change"; hope you "will change your mind on the subject and give us the benefit of your knowledge."
- Author
- Southwick, Alfred Porter
- Recipient
- Edison, Thomas Alva
- Date
- 1887-12-05
- Type
- Letter
- Folder ID
- D8704-F
- Microfilm ID
- 119:321
- Document ID
- D8704AFJ
- Publisher
- Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University
- License
- CC0 1.0 Universal
- Has Version
- Archive.org Viewer, Microfilm Series Reel 119