New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-05
CREuiTIOY Ar ALBANY.


NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. IN REGARD To THE EFFECT OF
LEGIsLArIoS-AN INCIDENT IN GERMANY.
To me Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: | observed some weeks ago that the
committee to was referred the Hon. Thomas
Cooper Campbelrs bill to regulate the organization Of
crcmatoncOnpanes had reported 1t back for the ac-
ton OF the Assembly. Since then it appears TO have
been totally neglected. This not what the friends OF
the measure expected from their representatives, at Al
bany moveineni which has been received with favor
nv scentnc men in all parts of world entitled
the respectful consideration OF our law makers and 1t
would doubtless have received more attention rad they
been aware how numerous are its advocates. Those
who favor burning the dead have tho same rights
as those VINO prefer buryiUg TEEN, and
should be accorded ike liberty Of action
II ia unaccountlbe that there should still exist
widespread impression that if crem .tOn authorized
bv the Legislature it will therefore DO enforced the
legal method OF d.spo3itlon OF the dead On the con-
trary all that crematlonlss desire and all that legsa
tive sanction would TO them IL freedom OF choice
Mr. CampbePs bill Is SIMPLY designed to compel those
desiring to carry the practice to do so under proper
restrictions having due reference to the health conve
uence aud feelings Of the general public.
We who pride ourselves on tolerance and progress
s:veness may here take lesson from the Ola WOrli,
where this great sanitary reform Is already IN opera
ton In Germany is now regularly prdeced, as will
be aeon below and in London. am informed, "a
Ienm is now constructing for the ashes Of the dead.
Those who doubt the orthodoxy OF cremation SHOULD
read "a shes Ashes" interesting book written BY
the Rev H. r. Haweis. incumbent OF 81. James. Maryle
hone, London. The following account describes the
nrocess now most approved OF. though experience will
doub.less suggest many notifications and improve
ments:
A gentleman who present at the lncremation OF
young lady's CORPSE date me wife Of German medical
mani al Sicmris celebrated factory IN Dres
urdy ast glvcs account 81 the pr
Ings He saws that a sort OF chdpee GIeNh prOiusey
with hONcrs. erected ~ OF the
hons in the center of which the coffin containing
body that of "A handsome Young wOman-was
placed Mr.. Semens himself, the clergy had refused
10 assist the ceremony, pronounced a solemn aud
touching discourse the body, WHICH, IN It's cOhI
MAS then Inserted the furnace the iron door of
closed H. aud stream OF IncOncolYably hot air
directed upon surrounding (is cOud perceived
thrOugn window let INTO the SIDE OF the turnace) t
with pao red, quiyeTng, distinctly vibrating nLmes.
There suuden burning up or even scOrcing OF
the corpse, phenomenon ghas to the revolt
ing 10 any other sense. but what seemed to be
ordinary rapid process OF desiccdtOu during which,
amer hGuI Substances had been evolved, the sOd
parts red not, then white hot lastly
solved themselves INTO ashes. There was, this gentle
man positively asserts, nothing from rst 10 last If,
svc in tins To the physical senses, scnt
mentally distressing. rne furnace h surrounded
els and hat DO through the inlet (HuiCn 10
purposes connected with the regulation OF the
nrc) Ia horrible. although 1t Offers the strange
spectacle Of .uman BODY gradually vanishing away
through tLo lhhIeure OF intense heat. The process
lasted exactly bOur aud eighteen minutes: aud
sunday tie ashes were gathered up with all due solem.
nifty, aud transferred 10 Il suitable urn
II Is written by the Berlin correspondent OF The Lon,
don Daily Telegraph, under date Of Now IL, is7L
! heW York. Aplil 8. 1910 Alb.