Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-07
WHY STOP SUICIDES?
Interference With Their Plans Kills Good
Items and Causes Trouble.
WEAKNESS OF HUMAN NATURE.
The Humorous and Pathetic
Strangely Mixed in LIES Drama
The Disagrecabie Whfstling OF
Strect-Cnr Conductors.

I should like to be placed on record as
being heartily in sympathy with real,
honest. bona fide suicides. Ny great
heart goes ont to these self-sacrliicing
people Ike a shot from life-saving
crew to a distressed ship. and. while my
breath comes In boomers or knickerbock-
ers. my bosom heaves with pride at the
thought OF the great good that Is thus
accomplished, And then. too, 4 suicide
makes such a good item-one of the best
subjects that fall to the lot OF we poor
reportcrs-of course, l mean the other
fellows self-destruction. The cause OF
the suicide is one Of the most interest
ing features in connection with the self
destruction act, and generally the first
question asked IS. What made him do
it?" II suicides would only leave de-
tailed account Of how and why the last
acts Of their lives were performed. they
would certainly confer a great favor upon
the newspaper fraternity, and 1t IL pos
sihle" more accurate accounts OF the
events would thus be obtained. suicides
who can talk won't; and those who
can't-well, they just can't. and we nave
speeches for public men. | don't think
suicides should be censured for what
they do or their memory desccrated by
evil imputatons The fellow has accom-
ulished something that you have never
done, and. possibly. never will; and there
fore you have no right on earth, or under
IT,. either, for that matter. 10 crticise
his action, or condemn his course. Sup
pose his manner Of self-destruction is
1.ny
why should YOU say. well. the chump;
why didn't he smoke cigarettes or drink
whskey; what di1 he take laudanum
for?" or. THAT fellow always was a fool;
why did he not have brains enough when
at school to balance a dunce-cap upon his
head" / tell you. It's all wrong. and the
praises Of the suicide should be sounded
down the ages like the result of the ball
game when Richmond meets the second
best team in the league and knocks the
cover on, the bail at West-End Park.
I'm thoroughly opposed 10 any efforts
being made TO thwart the. object Of any
well-lntendsd suicide. rs hard enough
10 bear the usual little Ills we have, but
10 be disappointed and broken up IN such
q cherished hope must be an awful eNpe-
rlence to suffer. | think a 'aw should
be passed 20 compel the State to furnish
the ingfrum antS IN All suCu nnuelithlnb-'
and any person caught trespassing upon
/ or interfering with these sacred rights
be fined $1,000 and sent 10 jail for tlfty
years. Besides causing the death OF
good news item. you probably prevent
death that would rebound in much good
to poor. suffering humanity. And then
think II the worry and trouble you give
/ by interfering with the well-intended and
/ carefuily-plannsd undertaking Of the self
sacrificing individual. Physicians and po-
| hcemen have 20 be summoned and put
| To work. and II II happens at might tho
/ family have 10 be aroused from their
| peaceful slumbers. The funeral directors
| are "hoOdooed" out Of a job. and the
/ prospect II building 10 a iirst-class
| charnel-hpuse is about as bright az the
! future Il some Of the boom districts.
| No. sir: | say don't stop them in their
| good work. Let all who will commit sui
eide. and may the efforts of those who
wish to take their own lives never prove
| futile in this direction Is the earnest
! hope Of one vino has not only the interest
/ Of his paper at heart but also believes
N the kind of independence that would
| say, GIVE to every one the opportunity
| 10 crafty a fond desire"