Beginning of Essay
-Written by H.L. Mencken, 1926. [2]-Thesis -The thesis of the essay is on page 395, and is the last sentence of paragraph 3. It states: "What I contend is that one of the prime objects of all judicial punishments is to afford the same grateful relief (a) to the i ....

Middle of Essay
.... plainly to weak to need serious refutation" -Basically saying this argument is not important enough to abolish the penalty…all it says is that the work of the hangman is unpleasant. -Goes on by first stressing the unimportance of the statement by saying that other necessary jobs are also unpleasant such as that of the plumber, soldier etc. -Then he falsifies it by saying that there is no evidence stating that hangmen complain of their work, and he knows many who delight in and are proud of their work -Second statement he attacks states: "[Capital punishment] is useless, for it does not deter others from the same crime". -Attacks this by ....