[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—Mr. Paton misses the real point which animates public anger and disgust at the execution of Mrs. Major.
It was that the Home Secretary hanged her in face of her jury's strong recommendation to mercy. His province being merely of mercy, he arrogantly set himself above the jury's mercy.
Mr. Paton says : " Neither the sex, the age, nor the degree of criminal responsibility really affects the question." Mr. Dennis thought the same. He said : " It's worthy of notice as a proof of the amazing equalness and dignity of our law that it don't make no distinction between man and woman. There's a dignified and equal thing ; a beautiful thing."
We must all regret to see Mr. Paton agreeing with Mr. Dennis in saying (in effect) : " While the institution lasts, do let us be logical. Don't let us have any of this nonsense about saving women and infants first when they are on the sinking plank of the gallows, as if they were on a sinking galley at sea. Let men and women go down to the pit together in the name of equality."
The Home Office will be pleased with Mr. Paton. Its accursed tree, festooned this Christmastide with the body of a mother, was badly shaken by that illogical fellow, the Lord Mayor of Hull. Mr. Paton has steadied it a bit.—Yours
faithfully, W. J. WENHAM. 5 Gray's Inn Square, London, W.C. 1.
Previous page
