Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-11-26
A RADICAL REFORM
NJ OUR PENAL LAWS SUGGESTED, BY WHICH
TO At ONCE EMPTY
n. P.pisa6ariss and Jails Of All Coavic!s and
Turn Them Loose - To Save Hundreds Of
Thousands Of Dollars to Iaxpsyers-Io
Purify Society and Stop Crime By
Tie Use Of he KNIFE,
TIL. rl,ar oftl. Rlrister.

ToRs E3roroftts Register:
SrR.-The Legislature at its last
session appropriated something near
over one hundred thousand dollars,
per annum, 10 pay criminal ex-
ransss which was exhausted, and
which was an increase Ovor for
mer appropriations This coming
legislature win again be called up
on 20 make another increased appro-
priatiOu for the same purpose and SO 10
sin continue 20 90 on increasing year
bv wear I'm the ratio of the increase OF
our population. To this add the costs
of keeping prisoners IN the county JdliS
and city l0ckups for petit and other OF
lenses paid By the counties AMI cities,
and 10 that add the various sums Of
money paid by the tiftY-iOur counties 10
this state (Of West Nirginial, IN build
ing jails ranging from about eight
thousand Co nearly one hundred thou
sand dollars q piece, and 10 all that add
the building OF the peuitentiary at the
cost of over hale million dollars and
tben we behold what enormous sums Of
money the honest law abiding citizens
are compelled TO pay by way Of taxes on
account OF the criminal class under our
nreseut unWiSe and inadequate criminal
laws. Our Criminal Code Of to-day,
with exception of the prOhibitOry and
some Othar minor clauses) was Origlnat-
ed bv the 5ar6aIian In his remote
beatfenism, +. e. cOpDOreal punishment
bv iqfictiOn Of the death penalty by
vsyious modes, and by Imprisonment
etc. etc.
AN nations Of the earth, whether civ
flied or heather, to-day, and from
time immemOrial have employed
about the same penal laws
which they have most vigorously en-
forced, and % but little good effect.
The fear Of punishment in the here, or
In the hereafter, never did and never
viii deter. The guillOtine, the rack,
the stake, the gallows, the shocking 10
death by electricity, the menace Of iailS
and concentrates, and the fears Of the
devil and hell, with all their fortunes,
never has and never can straighten the
"natal warp" Of the criminal mind.
In addition to all that add the power
full persuasive influences Of Civilization,
Education and Religion, which have
been and are constantly being brought
TO bear upon all classes by
, every human agency to be en-
u.oyed by men, and yet crime,
Though not so bad as In former years,
fll lives and lourishes amongst US, at
enormous expense Of the law
ing citizen, as aforesaid, at the
hazard Of his property and the peril Of
his life. Is there no remedy for all
this? Yes; plain, practical, rational
and humane remedy.
EMAsCULATIoN.
By that means you bring about an inn
mediate benefit to society by relieving
i from the payment Of the enormous
lakes above mentioned, and a future
md everlasting benefit 70 be derived
3herefrOm 10 a few generations, or uni-
Versally adOpted), by annihilating the
criminal type of mind. By Castrating
- -. . .le nd, fema' for OtIenses here
matter mentioned, you not only make
good, quiet citizen, out Of the vicious
4 to-day, but you also stop the propa-
ration Of that class, who from birth are
Timinally inclined.
The doctrine that the criminal bent
II mind is hereditary, as much so as
my other constitutional faint is &C
seDted and taught by the learned who
nave given thought 10 that matter.
The criminal class in general generally
spring from the lower walks Of life
which which is vastly more prolific
tnan the intellectual and higher order
of man, therefore the only way 20 check
and put a stop 60 crime is 20 apply the
knife. tt is a humane remedy as COM
pared with that of hanging a man by
the neck until he is dead, TO the graft
hcation Of the morbidly curious, and
the Weaklings Of sentimentahsm or 10
incarcerating him in the penetentlary
where be is not permitted 70 move his
tongue ia utteranCe OF speech, and
when he comes out and finds himself
an alien 70 society, he becomes more
vicious, and the sole object Of his after
life IS to prey upon the world and that
be does with vengeance. To the low
er order of animals we apply the knife
and they az once become gentle and
tractable Apply the same treatment
70 the vicious man, and the same re-
suits will doubtless be accomplished
and I'm an increased degree. You have
vicious bull caStrate him and he at
once becomes a gentle work OK, and
chews his cud with apparent cOmpla-
cencv. To a wicked and criminal bent
man apply the knife and he at once be-
comes a gentle citizen and enjoys that
negative happiness which flows from
the consciousness OF living
and which is no doubt SUI
perior 20 that be could possibly
enjoy whilst under the furious lash OF
tembestous passion and fierce criminal
ldesires TO commit deeds Of violence and
Engage in criminal exploits.
40 condition of society can possibly
be shaped TO suit the criminal class,
but society can and should 50 shape the
criminal class 20 suit its conditions and
an will be well, To that end my sug-
gestiouS are:
Flrst-Castrate all criminals now in
the peuitentiary for crimes such as
murder in the first and second
degrees, rape, robbery, arson, burglary,
and crimes ranking In that order, and
turn them out, except those whose terms
are about to expire, and turn them cut
as they are.
Second-Those in prison for cutting
OF shooting with intent TO KILL grand
larceny, ETC., and crimes ranking IN
that category, turn them OUT as they
are, but If they are ever thereafter con-
yicted of the same or similar otlenSe,
castrate them by order Of the court and
turn ID sm loose.
L. e. -