The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-01-09
BRISTOL, WIS, Jan. 6, 90.

Editor ZelegraPh- Courier:
Having read your remarks in the
last issue concerning the proceedings
in Justice Court in the case of State
OF Wisconsin VS.. William Gates, and
in this connection allow me to say
that | heartily endorse and appreci-
ate your sentiment in regard to the
questionable sanity of the prisoner.
It is a well known fact in physics
that there does exist in large num-
bers a class of creatures in human
form, and in form only. They are
generally found in the back-woods
and rock Of Continental Europe. |
regret that Charles Darwin, in his
!" Descent of Man" did not properly
classify the genius Homo species in
all their varieties, and give each va
riety a distinctive and proper name,
also he ought to have determined
the degrees of moral and mental de-
velopment which entitled them to
manhood and moral responsibility
to man for their individual acts; but,
alas, we have no such authority to
determine where responsibility be
gins, nor where liability ends, and
the decision Of the courts on the sub
iect are as varied as their noses.
Question: What constitutes a man?
Is it an anatomical frame that stands
in line perpendicular to the plane
of the earth? or is it brain develop
ment that enables the creature to
think and reasoni There must be
some limit to manhood in the animal
kingdom. 1t is time that this Genius
Homo be classified according to their
several degrees of development and
variety, and assigned to their proper
place in society, then a fellow could
tell when he met a man or monkey
in the road. No animal should be
allowed to exercise functions that he
is not able intelligently to perform.
[ am we'll aware that at the present
day that animals have assumed the
functions Of men and have caused
great confusion in society. This son
Of HIM under consideration does not
seem to possess any more brain de-
velopment than his forefathers 1000
years ago, and the only thing that
can develop such are public schools
with intelligent surroundings, and
then it will take generations Of time
to put on a proper head piece.
The case at issue reminds me Of
the bear and baby story. A farmer
found bear cub in the woods, he
conveyed it home and placed it in
the crib with the baby, the bear and
the baby became intimate friends
and play fellows, but the bear devel-
oped physically faster than the baby.
The baby still loved the bear and
the bear the baby, but in thought
less moment the baby hurt the bear,
instantly the brute nature Of the
bear asserted itself and struck the
baby dead. 1t cannot be said that
the ftest survived, but The farmer
made a discovery that bears and
babies cannot be raised in the same
crib. The bear, though innocent,
was sacrificed to appease the feeling
of the family. And so it is in this
case, we must sacrifice the bear to
the feeling Of the public.
Let US rest in hope that the time
may come when people will not en-
terrain bears at their tables, nor allow
them to occupy cribs with their
babies.
This species of foreign bears are
at public expense deported in ship
loads and dumped on the American
shore, where they struggle and wan
der over all the States in the union
They are generally known by the
name tramp. Our pub
lie charities, asylums and prisons
are filled with them. They are pass
ed free over the railroads. They are
so imperative in their demands that
dare refuse them for fear
that the foreign bear will cause a
funeral in the tamily, which they
often do. How long, oh how long
will the people tolerate the foreign
bear in their midst. You remarked |
and said that the District attorney
had proved that the prisoner was
sane enough to do farm work. The
same can be proved of mule when
bv human intelligence. Can
the District Attorney prove that this
foreign bear is a human being? That I
is the question for solution. Is he |
to man for his acts? How
many more men will this bear be
allowed to kill before he is muzzled |
Or shut up? According to his own
he has killed two already. I
When these facts are known, can I
there be any question about the pro-
oriety of shutting the bear up?or have /
he white caps got to take hold of
he case?
With your permission l will further