The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-12-05
quota, Capacity of Asylum estimated at 600;
Counties.
INSANE CRIMINALR.

The law Of Ohio authoriZesihe transfer OF Grim
inals, who become insane while in the peniten-
| tiary, to the insane asylums Of the State.
| Doubtless the motive that prompted the enact.
| ment of this statute was kind nne. believe II
TO be, however, wrong in principle and damaging
| In practice Hit can be shown that the presence
| Of an insane criminal In the wand of an ASYLUM
| exerts harmful influence upon the ward gener.
ally beg TO ask what becomes Of that principle
of benevOence which recognizes the rights of the
| many as paramount to the interests Of single
person? II several persons Of this class QnSane
crimnals), with life history abOundiDg in Grim.
insl antecedents, and with 8 peHitentiaIy pres.
tige, are distributed through the various wards OF
an asylum, and II can be made clear that their
contract with the greater body Of the patients is
harmful TO the latter and that their presence is
damaging TO the institution asa whole, then most
assuredly the principle Of their admission is an
erroneous one. 1t should be borne In mind that
insanity does not relieve person, whose instiots
and practices through life have been of a Grimin-
al nature, Of his corrupt notions vicious qualities
and wicked tendencies. The twist which insani.
ty may have given to his brain, and the resulting
croOkedness Of his mental action, have not chang
ed that qualify Of brain which ia the natural pro-
duct of the depraVed soil and criminal atmos.
phere In which 1t grew. The mental manifesto.
ions OF such person, whether be be sane or In.
sane would very naturally be in accord with the
general drift of bis life, aim and practice-in O |
word, with himself. Those who have had large |
experience In observing the conduct Of these per-
sons In asylums testify uniformly to the anxiety
and annoyance which they give to those in |
charge and also TO the deleteriOus influence |
which they have on the other patients Their old |
burglarious tactics will lead them to steal, or
manufacture keys, to pick locks, to cut through |
windows al d TO devise means by which they can
escape themEelveh; or, perhaps, they will suggest
methods which Will enable Others 10 do so. They
possess, tOO not unfrequently, the shrewdness
and low cunning characteristic of the criminal
class They require buildings which are suppli-
"a with apartments having thicker walls and par
tttonE, stronger doors and windows, and heavier
Ocks than are required for ordinary asylums-
While the reasons already stated are sufficient to
warrant the exclusion Of insane criminals from
,ur asylums, there still remains another ohec.
ion., Persons representing the criminal CLASS,
whether they have Penltentiary record or not
hould not be received under the same asylum
Oof, OF be gathered within the same walls where
atienls representing the better elements OF soci.
ty are placed for treatment. The latter and
heir friends have reason for embarrassment and
hsgfin whenever or wherever such an arrange
lent is attempted. Misfortune, induced by dis
ase IN those who have led spOlieSs liver should
OF, under any circumstances subject them to
le unjust and mortifying fate Of forced associ
non WIN persons who have led criminal lives ,
I view, therefore, of these considerations be- ,
eve that the State should either provide an asy-
I'M specially adapted TO the condition and re- ,
liremenB ofinssne criminals, or that It should ,
ITnlsh euch facilities III connection with the !
5nitentisry ss would give them proper care and :
e rights Of Others due protection. !
IL viii be impossible, at this time To enter into
discussion of the general subject Of treating the
sane. The qu sion Gf prevention of moral =
eatmPnt, OF The most judiCOus methods of re-. =
'aint, would each furhnh theme for chap y
!, Dllt their consideration mast be reserved for n
fnture occasion. " "
our most important and attractive improve !"
5nt ol me past year Is the new greenhouse, 1t
located In the rear of the asylum building and n,
easily accessible to the patients for whose ben II
IT ia chiefly intended :,
ne current expenses for the wear, exclusive NJ y
lCers salaries amount to SOL 564,2 The nor a, a,
pua expense per year amounts 10 sl5762, and n,
week II amounts to SS.Ol. The former item for y,
preceding year was Sl6377, and the latter h,