EXECUTION 78 EXETEB COLLEOE of delicate infusoria drains the waste material and then discharges the contents. EXECUTION, the carrying out of a death sentence by court order. Such cruel methods, as burning at the stake, starving, drowning, poisoning, bleeding to death, breaking on the wheel, etc., are no longer employed as modes of punish- ment in the progessive countries. In Belgium, Holland, Norway, Portugal Rumania, Finland, Argentine, Brazil, Venezuela, Guatemala, and Ecuador life imprisonment is the heaviest punish- ment inflicted and no person is ever put to death. In England and Spain, hanging is the common form of execution. In France, a death sentence is usually carried out by the use of the guillotine for decapitation. In Italy the death penalty is not inflicted in any case. In modern times the tend- ency has been toward the employment ©f the least cruel methods of execution. Capital punishment is retained in 36 States of our Union. The usual method ©f execution is either by hanging or electrocution. The Federal Government may punish high treason by death pen- alty. In most States death penalty is inflicted only for murder, in some others also for arson and rape. Ai'izona, Kan- sas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mis- sissippi, North Dakota, South Dakota. Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin do not inflict any death penalty. EXECUTION, MILITARY, a techni- cal term, signifying the carrying out of the decision of any military court, not necessarily a death sentence. Military laws and their execution, or administra- tion, are quite separate and distinct from the civil laws of the same territory, the former having as their special object the maintenance of military organization and discipline. The offenses covered are, therefore, of a peculiar nature, such as desertion, absence without leave, disobe- dience, or refusal to obey orders, neglect of duty, and, among oflficers, "conduct unbecoming that of a ^ntleman." Those subject to the jurisdiction of military law are, first of all, officers and soldiers on the active list, in the pay of the Govern- ment, whether of the regular army or the militia; retired officers and soldiers; dis- charged officers or soldiers who have de- frauded the Government; and general prisoners. In time of war certain ci- vilians may be included, such as those suspected of being spies in the pay of the enemy, and camp followers. Punish- ments range from imprisonment, dishon- orable dismissal or discharge, to death. Before the decree of a military court may be executed it must first be what is termed confirmed. In the British army this confirmation is done by a special officer representing the King, but in the United States army the highest com- manding officer of the department is com- petent to confirm a sentence in ordinary cases. Where a court sentences an offi- cer to dismissal from the service, hov/- ever, the confirmation must be signed by the President of the United States him- self, and this rule applies also to death sentences, except in very special cases. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, that branch of government whose duty it is to enforce or execute the law. According to the accepted canon of political science, there are three departments of govern- ment : the legislative or law-making body, the judicial branch, which interprets the law, and the executive. In the Federal Government of the United States the President is the chief executive, assisted by the various heads of departments. In the State governments the governor heads the executive department. The heads of the executive departments, that is, the secretaries of State, War, Navy, Treasury, Interior, Commerce, Agricul- ture, and Labor, with the Attorney-Gen- eral and Postmaster-General, constitute the President's advisers or Cabinet. This was not provided for in the Constitution, which vests the entire executive power in the President's hands, but the Cabinet has grown up as a matter of necessity. EXETER, a city, river-port, and par- liamentary and municipal borough of England, in the county of Devon, on the left bank of the Exe, 10 miles N. W. from its outlet in the English Channel. It is pleasantly situated on the summit and slopes of an acclivity rising from the river, and has handsome squares, ter- races, and streets. Among the objects of interest are the cathedral (founded 1112), the remains of the castle of Rougemont, the Guildhall, the Albert Memorial Museum, St. Michael's Church, etc. Exeter has iron foundries, manu- factories of agricultural implements, paper mills, etc., and Honiton lace is also made. By means of a canal vessels of 300 tons can reach the city. The largest vessels remain at Exmouth. Exeter is a place of remote antiquity, having been a British settlement long prior to the in- vasion of the Romans. Pop. about 50,000. EXETER COLLEGE, one of the col- leges at Oxford University, England. Founded by Stapeldon, Bishop of Exeter^ in 1314. It consists of a rector, 12 fel- lowships, and more than twenty scholar- ships. Eight of the latter, in accordance with the will of the founder, are reserved for those born or educated in the diocese of Exeter. The buildings have been ex-
