President Cleveland as Executioner.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 223, 8 October 1887, Page 2

President Cleveland as Executioner.

Of the various offices to which a citizen of a free country maybe called, the lowest is probably the post of public executioner, and the highest is, of course, that of a chief magistiate. To few men is it given to fill in succession both of these positions ; and, indeed, wedoubb whether, until the present time, any civilised person has e\er acted iirst to Jack Ketch, and afte"\vard> 5 head of the State. Mr G rover Cleveland, President of the United States, has. however, officiated as hangman. In America, as in England, the sheriff is technically responsible for the execution of criminals who have been condemned to death. £' )me years ogo Mr Cleveland was sheriff of Bufalo. Two men, named Patrick Monirf.sey and John Gaffney, were handed over for execution ; and, as no professional executioner could be engaged, and no volunteer was forthcoming, Mr Cleveland was obliged to do the dreadful ivork with his own hands.