Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-07-12
LETTER FROM J.K EMMET.
Characterizing the Manner of his Secen
Commitment :ls an Outrage.

Characterizing the Manner Of his Recent
Commitment as an Outrage.
Joseph X. Emmett, the actor, who was
recently committed to the inebriate home
in Kings county, N.Y., has written a letter
concerning his commitment, of which the
following is part:
''NO one who knows me will believe that
I am the inebriate that the recent publicity
given to my retirement at the Home
would naturally induce the public to be-
lieve me. 1t will hardly be credited that
man who rs an actor appears before the
public at least six days in week, a strict
teetotaler throughout the year with the
exception of one week, could be described
as a common drunkard and a vagrlnt by
anyone whose intelligence was not
thoroughly obtuse. Such, however, was
the manner of my commitment to the
inebriate asylum in Kings county, by the
Justice. But let ME tell the story as have
learned it:
''It is true that for about one week in the
year, on the average, have given way to
the abuse of alcoholic drink, and after a
day or two, for the reason that could not
afford the time for prolonged dissipation,
placed myself, in most instances, in public
institutions until entirely recovered. My
wife also made such applications, and,
God bless her, she always looks to my in
terest and welfare and has gone with me
at times to the institution for Il few days
until was restored. On the 10th of June
l was Just recovering from the effects of a
slight attack of my trouble. and while |
was at the Fifth Avenue hotel in bed, at.
tended by a nurse, an officer came to my
room and informed me that he had war
rant for my arrest and must take me to
the TOmbs My wife visited the home
and obtained forms of commitment and
rules, and again put herself in commune
cation with the Justice. She says that she
was asked and answered several questions,
and then signed and swOre to printed
papers which she did not read, but which
She was informed we're only formal. After
remaining a week at the Home sent
for my counsel and he took me away from
the institution. Much to my surprise,
after leaving the institution | learned that
l had been committed upon an ordinary
commitment of vaSrancy for three months.
When reflect upon this outrage, it is
difficult to restrain my indignation, No
one in the world ever accused me of FILLING
to maintain myself and family. On the
contrary I have settled upon my vie
many thousands of dollars. Nor would
any one who knows me and knows that
never drink Intoxicating liquors except on
few occasions, believe that l am an habit
ual drunkard.
'.My family and self sail for Europe in a
few days, and felt that could not leave
the country without letting those of my
friends who are the least familiar with my
private life understand that am not the
utterly fallen and contemplate man that
my commitment may have led them to be.
lieve, but one who is a strict teetOtaler for
fifty weeks in the year, abstaiDing from
all drinks except tea, coffee and water, and
one who errs sometimes, cOnfesses his
fault, but does not wish to be known by
what cannot in its broadest sense be ap-
plicable, viz. habitual drunkard or a
vagrant.'