Paper Presented Before the English Parliament

In eighteenth-century England, some two hundred crimes were punishable by death, including pickpocketing and petty theft. Many people were attempting to reform this excess of executions by reducing the sentences for many offenses. Some believed, however, that the death penalty should continue to be rigorously applied for heinous crimes. In the following viewpoint, the author states that punishments should remain severe and perhaps be even more so. He argues that keeping the death penalty a very real threat is the only way to stop people from committing violent and offensive crimes.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. Why does the author believe the death penalty must be used “steadily and impartially”"
2. On what does the author base his argument that there should be differences in the...