Los Angeles Herald, Volume 36, Number 211, 30 April 1909 — WOULD ABOLISH DEATH PENALTY [ARTICLE]

WOULD ABOLISH DEATH PENALTY

PRISON REFORM LEAGUE IN VIGOROUS CAMPAIGN CHAFIN, SOBIEBKI AND GRIFFITH LEAD MOVEMENT Noted Publicists Throughout the Country Will Be Enlisted in Cam. paign to Prevent Capital Punishment

Here in Los Angeles has been instituted another movement for the betterment of social conditions, and one that is national in its scope. As the result of a series o£ meetings between Eugene W. Chafln, recently Prohibition candidate for president; Col. John Sobieski, Col. Griffith J. Griffith and | others interested in securing humaner treatment of prisoners, a "Prison Reform league" has been launched. The league's main object is the abolition of capital punishment, but it will endeavor incidentally to educate public opinion to the conception that [ not revenge but the reformation of offenders should be the law's guiding principle. Printed declarations to that effect are now in circulation, and the signatures of many well known men and women —one just returned to the office bears those of Judge John D. Works, Samuel Rees, R. H. Herron, G. A. Hart and others—have been obtained already. The co-operation of both sexes is Invited, and it is announced specifically that the movement is strictly non-sectarian and non-partisan. When a thousand signatures have been secured a meeting will be held and a California State Prison Reform league formed. To Form National League Similar action will be taken in other states, and as soon as ten state leagues have come into existence a national league will be organized. Col. Griffith J. Griffith Is acting for the time being as secretary of the movement, with 443 South Main street as the address. Correspondence has been opened with noted publicists at various points, steps have been taken already for the establishment of a lecture bureau, and it is believed that public opinion throughout the country is ripe for the simple program announced. It is pointed out by the promoters of the movement that five states —Michigan, Wisconsin, Maine, Rhode Island and Kansas—have abolished capital punishment, and that in several others the infliction of the death penalty has been hedged round with such restrictions that it is fast falling into disuse. It Is claimed further that crimes, and especially crimes of violence, have decreased in those states since the change, and that there has been a marked improvement In the general moral tone of the communities. Appeal to Public The following statement has been Is-j sued by the Prison Reform league: "The objects of this league are: "1. The abolition of capital punishment, that the state may no longer swell the list of murders by becoming itself a murderer. "2. Reform of the administration of criminal law, a task that the United States has not undertaken since it became a nation. "3. Restraint to be for the sole purpose of protecting society and reforming the offender. "There shall be no fees or dues, and the officers of the league shall receive no salaries, but those who have expressed their sympathy with the objects of the league by signing will be expected, in honor and as proof of their sincerity, to contribute voluntarily to the cost of printing literature and other unavoidable expenses. "Any person 16 years of age or over may become a member of this league by signing the foregoing declaration of principles. "As soon as 1000 signatures to this declaration have bee.n obtained In any particular state a meeting shall be called in such state and a state league organized. "When ten state leagues have been organized a meeting shall be called at which a national league shall be organized. "The provisional committee charged with the launching of this movement is as follows: Eugene W. Chafin, Chicago, 111.: John Sobieski, Los Angeles, and Griffith J. Griffith, Los Angeles. The last named will act as treasurer and secretary until such time as the 1000 signatures have been obtained and a state league has been formed, after which It is proposed that such league appoint its own officers to continue the work according to its own plans."