The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1894-09-20
VIOLENT DEATHS.
How the European Countries
Compare With Us.
INTERESTING FACTS ON SUICIDES
Electricity for Motive Power has Largely
Increased the Ratio of Accidents-Ac-
curate Conclusions on the Point.

Various texts are accepted among
and thinkers in proof of high
some favoring the ratio of
illiteracy, some the high average of the
rate of wages, some the surplus savings
applicable to purchasers of luxury, some
the national expenditures for education.
some the volume of mercantile trans
actions, and others, again, the artistic
development of the various countries.
But one uniform, supreme, and I'M
changneable test of civilization is fur
nished in the estimate put upon human
life, and probably there is, after ALL
no better, fairer, and more satisfactory
test.
One may take, in their order, sui
cides, hoimcides, accidents, and execu-
lions to arrive at an accurate conclusion
on this point. In respect of suicides,
Denmark, among civilized countries,
stands at the head, or more properly at
the foot, Of the list with an annual rate
of 20 per 100, 600 Inhabitants. Austria
follows with 81, Switzerland with 20.
France with Is, Germany with IA,
Sweden with s, Belgium with 7, Eng
land with 7, Hungary 5, Scotland 4,
Italy 3, Holland 3, United States 3,
Russia 2, Ireland /, and Spain /.
In the record of homicides the annual
average is higher in the kingdom of
Italy than elsewhere, being 1894 to 1O,-
900 deaths, very high figure. Spain
follows with 1888, the United States
with 2l5, Sitzerland with 1873, Ireland
and Austria with 9S each, France and
Russia with so each, Sweden with rs,
England with 70, and Germany with
g.
1t is somewhat interesting fact that
the ratio of suicides to the population
is highest in those countries in which
murders are few, and lowest in those
countries i'll which murders are MANY.
1t would seem as if those inclined to
take their own lives were reluctant to
seek the lives of others, and those who
were reckless in their estimate of the
value Of the lives of others were scrup-
ulous in protecting and preserving their
own.
The extension of machinery for man
ufacturing purposes and the rapid util-
ization of electricity for motive power
and for purposes of illumination have
largely increased in all progressive
countries the ratio of accidents At the
present time these are the average
ratios of the number of accidental
deaths to $1,000 annual deaths from all
causes i'll the countries named: England
and Scotland, 80; Ireland, IS; France,
Is; Germany, IS; Russia, s; Austria,
10; Italy, 5; Switzerland, 2S; Spain, 7:
Denmark, 12 and the United States
40.
To the number of passengers carried
the ratio of railroad accidents is greater
in the United States, and other cou1i
tries thus follow in the order named
Russia, Italy, Spain, France, Germany
Belgium, England, and Switzerland
The accidents attributable to contact
i'll any form, with the electric current,
are most numerous in the United States,
and public experience in this regard is
very similar to what first followed the
introduction of steam as a power of
, traction. With improvements sug-
gested by the practical operation of
railroads and by utilizing new agencies
as safeguards, the number of railroad
accidents has been substantially de-
creased OF late years, just as the present
, high rate of accidents from overhead
wires will, probably, a few years hence,
be much less than it is now.
There is much variance between the
Y figures Of executions officially supplied
a by some governments and the actual
: number of such executions, some gov
ernments adding the return of lynch
; ings and Others giving only figures de-
rived from court marshalships.
i, In the United States capital punish
g ment is inflicted i'll nearly every State
under the authority of the sheriff OF
/. the particular county in which the
S crime for which it is the penalty, was
2 committed. There are 1900 counties
i'll the United States, and consequently
4 1000 sheritfs exclusive of the self-con
/ stituted mobs of masked individuals
: who i'll certain districts of the South
and West usurp, from time to time the
sheritf's duties and prerogatives.
y The United States Government ac
h quires jurisdiction in very few capita
cases, the number including crimes
committed i'll the District of Columbi;
II or any of the Territories, on the higl
I seas in American vessels, in militar,
s encampments or among the Indians.
In several European countries capita
punishment has been explicitly repealed
n by law, and the same is true of tire,
States in this country. No accurat,
figures, therefore, can be given on tn,
g subject OF executions, except such a
d are based upon the number of murders
q punishment for which is highest il
% France and Enlgand, and lowest il
Italy and the United States.
But the fact is not , be forgotten
e that the proportion of fol eign-b born resi-
IL dents is greater in the United State
l. than in any European country, and tina
+ the number of foreign born criminal
II Ill the United States is abnormal,
% large, and tends unjustly to augmen
10 III nearly every case the ratio of tn
% United States.
B. II from the figures given an equation
could be established it would be foun,
:. that human life is held in highest est
. mate in France, followed by the easter
q part OF the United States, England
;, Germany, Holland, Ireland and Nor
!" way, III the order named. New Yorl
|, Sun.
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