davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-15
THEosoPHY's VIEW.

"I believe there is no possible combine
ton of circum stances which would justify
the cutting short of human life" DIR.
Jerome A. Anderson emphatically de-
clared.
"Theosophy teaches that this is world
governed by cause and effect. There are
no accidents, nor are there any miracles or
interpretations of divine Providence in
favor of any individual men, nor the set
ting aside of law in answer to prayer or
anything of that nature whatever.
Therefore when person finds himself
in any given set of circumstances, those
circumstances could only arise through a
cause of law. Therefore man only makes
mistake in attempting to violate that
law. Acute misery is the result of causes
set up either in this life or in some past
one.
ut is the duty of every man to relieve
suffering by all means in his power, but
be who cuts life short does not relieve
suffering-he only postpones that ex-
perience which the sufferer must un-
dergo.
81 regard the teaching that it is justifi-
able to destroy human life in or der to
avoid suffering as relic of ignorance and
bar barism. II reminds one of the old
Roman days, where upon the slightest ex-
cuse suicide was resorted to-a fact which
may explain the prevalence of suicide
now, as those old Romans are reincar-
mating in this American race
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-15
THINKS IT MEROIFUL.

81 think" said Professor Gustav Eisen,
"that in the main, DR.. Wendte is right.
However. l do not see low it would be
possible to permit physicians to take
human life under any circumstances, as
they might misuse the power vested in
them. 1t would be the easiest thing in
the world for doctor to'take mans life
by claiming that the disease with which
the patient was suffering could not be
cured.
''In my opinion, the state should furnish
institutions where such people could be
put out of misery under certain definite
safeguards. But then another difficulty
would have to be considered even then.
''For instance, D eople might bring rela-
tives there upon whose lives they had de-
signs and the same things would happen
there that have made many asylums for
the insane gain such notorious and un-
enviable regulations.
"The question remains, Which will be
the most useful to humanity at large-to
allow people to suffer or to allow a man to
be put to death who might have been
cured2
81 think it would be very well to try it
as an experiment, but we are rapidly ap-
preaching the time now when certain dis
eases heretofore deemed incurable must
yield to the skill of science. There is, in.
deed, excellent reason to think that all
diseases caused by microbes will in time
be found to be durable.
''Such an instance of an engineer being
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-15
to serve as lessons in patience, forbearance
and mildness to Others"
"W0ULD BE HUMANE

DR.. VS.. Thorn said: 81 approve OF
Rev. DR.. Wendte's position. Indeed | was
about to write and tell him so. When
persons are ill of incurable diseases and
are certain to endure long period of
agony without hope of any relief except
ing through death and are of sound mind
and request to die, it would be humane to
help them out of their pain. When an
animal is badly injured it is humanely
dispatched, and we know that this is
merciful. There are human beings who
would prefer to endure agony, such per-
haps as the martyrs have suffered. That
is well. / would not approve OF bringing
relief by death to any excepting those who
request it, and their cases should be
passed upon by commission, which
need not necessarily be composed en-
tirely of physicians.
Il have in mind one case where culti-
waited woman, who was suffering hope
lessly, appealed to me to put morphine
where she could reach it, that she might
die. will not ask you to give it to me, ;
she said, but only place it where | can
reach it, I refused her and told her that
II l did as she requested l would be, IN
fact murderer-accessoryb before the fact.
But l favor the proposition advocated by
Rev. DR.. Wendte and consider it to be
humane"
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-15
A O0WARDLY NOTION.

II should not care to shoulder the re-
sponsibility of taking mans life under
any circumstances" asserted DR.. 6. w.
Daywalt. Life is thing no man can
give; why should he take the prerogative
of removing it? When science reaches
the point where life can be given, then
perhaps it justly can be taken.
mot comprehending the mysteries OF
life, no man should allow his sympathy
for suffering to induce him to take it.
We cannot tell what psychological change
may occur that would affect the individual
man even in one hour of life. No man iv-
ing knows the effect of suffering on the
mind. For that reason physician should
do what he can to relieve suffering and
pain and let nature have her course.
'In the case of some horrible accident OF
the last stages of an incurable disease
would administer an opiate to put the man
at ease.
'In my opinion it would show abiect
cowardice on the part of physician to
kill man simply because he thought the
disease incurable. For instance, several
years ago a man with several gunshot
wounds in his abdomen would have been
a good case for painless death potion in
case an opiate or anesthetic were not at
hand. To-day that same man would be
put under the influence of an anesthetic
and have the wounds treated with good
hope of recovery. In time all diseases
may be found to be durable. Again, one
physician might think man should be
killed when another would cure him."
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-15
DR.. WBNDTB Is FIRM.

''I firmly stand by all that have said. I"
This was the remark made by Rev. DR..
Wendte last night at his residence in Oak
land. MANY have talked with me con-
cerning the mercy OF terminating the
existence of those who suffer hopelessly
with incurable diseases. Most OF these
have agreed with me. After i had made
my remarks on the subject, which have
been published, Dr. Burchard, a we'll
known Oakland physician, stepped up and
said that he was glad that had spoken in
that way. have heard that Rev. DR.. Nc
Lean has expressed much the same
opinions some years ago.
Now society already recognizes the
right to take human life under certain
conditions. There is capital punishment
for murder. We are justified by society
IN taking human life in defense of our
own, or IN opposition to burglar or other
criminal who might assault us with MUIR
derous intent. Society also admits the
right to take life on a large scale in wars,
both offensive and defensive. Why does
not such right exist when the object is
solely to lessen human misery? The
great difficulty is, of course, in having
this right given TO the individual iudg-
ment of one individual. Yet it is un-
donbtedly true that when physicians give
opiates to hopelessly sick persons this
is only one way of taking human life.''
"What have you to say to the argument
that this is wrong because sufferings and
trials are sent to improve and strengthen
the soul2'
''If that argument is carried out to it's
logical end" said DIR. Wendte, "and is of
general practical operation. it would pre-
vent all efforts to alleviate pain and
misery, as you can see easily. Ii pain is a
good thing then toothache is good and
ought not to be alleviated. l do not think
that any one person ought to be permitted
to exercise individual final Judgment;
nor should the petition of a sick man for
relief be granted without the consent of
his family. The safe way would be to have
commission composed of members of the
Board of Health and one or two jurists or
representatives of the Government"
Rev. DR.. Wendte also told of q circum-
stance or series of circumstances which
have been brought to his notice by lady
since he made his views public. This lady
has told him that her father suffered
agony without hope of betterment for
years. There was no chance that he could
recover. Finally, after Iong-drawn-out
misery he requested his family to put him
out of pain. They agreed that this " WOULD
be only mercy, and that it would surely
be right. They requested their family
physician to bring relief and he increased
the size of the dose of morphine so that
the sufferer passed painlessly away. The
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-15
THOU SHTLT NOT KILL"
THE DEcALOGUEl
Should Civilization in the Name of Mercy
Modify That Law of Humankind to
Meet Cases Where IncurabIe Disease
Makes Life a Hopeless ggony?


all
depora ineurab
public
hospitals
which civilized
Why
gently pain? We
suffering
mefu humankind creation?
responsibility Certainly medical
impossible
field
But
entrusted
poweress
this relieve the
right? Was nChrstian2
known commit suicide
ant relief should be brought if he asks hands
medical
submitted petition examination
appreciate
with
preiudice justice dictates and requires"
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-15

family, so the lady told Rev. DR.. Wendte,
have blessed the physician ever since.
Rev. DR.. Wendte told also of the case of
a Chinese leper in Oakland some years
ago. The man was suffering with leprosy
in the last stages. He was virtually ban
ished, being given cabin in the hills.
No one came nearer than $50 feet to him
when food was to be delivered to him.
Rev. DR.. Wendte and some members of his
congregation went to see him and entered
his cabin. He was suffering more from
cruelty than he was from disease, SO DR..
Wendte says. His greatest fear was that
he would be sent to the pesthouse. Two
days after he was visited the unfortunate
sufferer com mitted suicide. Many people
have been driven to suicide by cruelty and
neglect.
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-15
Attorney ASH nxonerated.

Recently w. w. Robinson and G. III.
Williams were arrested in Redding on a
charge OF faisifving a deed. A warrant
was also issued for Attorney Robert Ash
OF this City, on the assumption that, as
he was the attorney for the accused, he
must have been privy to the alteration
made to the deed. Mr.. Ash went up to
Redding and returned to-day with the fol-
lowing duly certified document:
REDDING, CAL, Aug. 13, 1896.
Rooert Ash Esq = DEAR SIR: The charges of
misdemeanor and a charge of felony against
W. W. Robinson, G. H. Williams and Robert
Ash were fully investigated by me in court in
this city, and assure you that all the charges
were unfounded and that there was no evil
dence to support either of said charges. Ionly
investigated the cases to clear you of any blame
In the whole matter. All OF said charges were
properly dismissed by the court and you fully
exonerated. have no hesitation in saying
that said charges were an outrage upon the
gentlemen arrested. NJ. P. RosR,
District Attorney, Shasta County Cal
J. w GARDEN,
Justice of the Peace. Redding Township.
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-15
NO POLICE KINDERGARTEN
Captain Gillen's Men Were
DESTROYS Of a Secret
Ballot.
Mrs. Cooper's Philanthropic Plans
Were Defeated by Vote of
Three to One.

Mrs. Sarah B. Cooper is sad. Captain
Gillen of Seventeenth and Howard streets
Police Station is also in a state of mental
collapse. 1t is all due to the failure of
Mrs. Cooper's plan for establishing a kin
dergarten.
The scheme has been buried so deep be-
meath the patrolman's ballots that its re-
incarnation is dubious. About the middle
of June Mrs. Cooper went to Captain Gil
len and eIucidated her idea of establishing
a kindergarten to be maintained at the
expense of the police south of Market.
She also desired one instituted north OF
Market, to be maintained by the police in
that part of the City.
Captain Gillen consulted Spillane and
both agreed that if the plan met with IA
vor in the eyes Of their men an endeavor
would be made in that direction.
Captain Spillsne at once went to prose
lyting. It took from the middle of June
till few days ago to bring the men round,
but they finally agreed to support the pro-
posed institution.
Then Captain GilIen took the matter up.
Last Wednesday evening a meeting was
called for o'clock at the Seventeenth and
Howard street station. About sixty men
were present. They were mostly opposed
to establishing a kindergarten, but all
hesitated to avow themselves openly.
Patrolman Blackman, at the desire OF
the rest, acted as spokesman for the occa-
sion. He arose and asked that the ballot
ing in the matter be secret. The motion
was carried by three to one.
Each man wrote "yes" or "no," as he
felt inclined, on small slip of paper, and
dropped it into large band box passed
around the circle. Patrolman Fontana
took the slips out of the box and read the
votes.
The tally was kept by Sergeant Martin,
and the result was that every man who
had risen and voted for secret ballot was
found to have carried his convictions to
the bandbox.
Even if the plan had been approved,
Mrs. Cooper's choice OF teacher in the
person of a young lady now in her own
kindergarten would not have been adopted,
as those in favor of the proposition wanted
the place filled by a daughter of the de-
ceased Sergeant Blackhurst.
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-15
CANNOT BE JUSTIFIED.

The Rev. DR.. Stebbins expressed his
opinion on the matter as follows:
1.-The idea that it would be we'll to end
the sufferings of incurables by painlessly
Killing them off seems to me dreadful
one. The issues of life and death are in
the hands of God, and humanity has no
right to tamper with them. / understand
that Or. Wendte did not actually advocate
any thing of the kind, and therefore feel at
liberty to speak plainly on the matter.
81 recollect not long ago visiting the
Almshouse in company with friend. AS
we contemplated the wretched victims in
the infirmary, some consumed with dis
ease, others mentally darkened, and all
utterly miserable, my friend asked me
whether it would not be well to end their
woes by means of a painless death.
answered:
Death certainly would seem to be a
boon to these and many other poor suf-
ferers, but will you take upon your soul
the responsibility of killing them? If
your son were an idiot or incurable would
you, could you consider it duty to bring
about his death? 1 for one am fixed in the
belief that life is not to be taken by any
save the one who gave it..
again, if it be right to make a clean
sweep of the unhappy classes which we
are considering it must also be quite the
thing for man beyond medical aid to do
away with himself. The line between ac-
countable and unaccountable suicide can
not be drawn by any human hand, but de-
liberate suicide under any circumstances
seems to me an evidence of moral cow
ardice.
81 once knew man. an Englishman,
who had evidently seen better days, who
kept a wayside inn in Sonoma County.
On one occasion when l stopped at his
place for lunch, he told me he had been
forced to endure severe trial, MS barn
having been burned to the ground with
it's contents, beautiful mare. his most
valuable possession, perishing IN the
flames. Seeing himself reduced almost to
beggary, the poor man was tempted to de-
stroy himself.
But, he told me, my heart bore up,
and whenever the thought seized me /
would repeat the poets noble words:
When the Establishments of life are gone
Cowards creep away and die;
The brave live on.
ITO sum up. do not believe that the
killing or suicide of idiots or incurables
can be justified, because the beginnings
and endings of human life are Gods
affair; because there is divine com mand
to the contrary; because suicide in par
ticular is cowardly, and because the lives
which may seem useless are often ap-
parently intended by the divine wisdom
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-15
"DR. wENDTE is RIGHT"

LAS can hardly be considered physi-
cian." said DR.. Dunbar, president OF the
College of Dentistry, II do not feel that
my opinion should be given on such an
important matter. But from what thought
have given to the subject will say that
Ifully agree with DR.. Wendte.
ut would not be murder to put hope
less lncurables out of their misery, but on
the contrary would be mercy. And yet
I must admit that such ideas are really a
little ahead of the age. and the methods
of applying them are still to be solved.
But theoretically, DIR. Wendte is right"
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-15

pinned down by his engine will always
remain. l do not believe that in such a
case any of the bystanders could be
found courageous enough to put the man
to death. even if the law permitted it.
Under such circumstances medical men
are very seldom present to attend to the
matter.
"As have had no time to consider this
question, which is fraught with SO much
of interest to humanity, I cannot delve
deeply into the philosophy of it; but in
the main, however, think Dr. Wendte's
theory is both just and humane. The
difficulty lies wholly in applying it. Ger
tain safeguards would be indispensable. J"
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-15
A HEINoUs SIN.

"Under no circumstances is man JUS
titled in taking human life," was DIR.
Winslow Anderson's EN- mphatic statement.
There is no disease that may not be
ameliorated by judicial treatm ent, and
many seemingly hopeless cases OCCASION
ally do recover.
"But on a much higher ground than
that of medicine in simply ameliorating
suffering, we are not entitled to the privi-
lege of taking that which we cannot give
namely, life
II would say under no circumstances
would excuse any medical man for taxi
ing the life of human being in the way
which the learned divine suggests
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-15
They WILL FIGHT
CH|NA'S EMPEROR.
How the Propaganda of
the New Party Is
Received.
THE LOCAL ASSOCIATION
The Hing Chung Woey Def
nitely Establishes Itself
in this City.
FoNG is CHOSEN PRESIDENT.
China for the Chinese Is the Cry of
the Advanced Men of the
Race.

All Chinatown is intensely excited over
the incendiary attitude of the new Chi
nese association known as the Hing
Chung Woey. Those directly interested
in the movement claim to have received
substantial encouragement from those
patriotically inclined.
The first circular issued by the associa-
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-15

Shortly after IL o'clock last night the
Columbia schoolhouse on Florida street, be-
tween Twenty-sixth and Twenty-seventh, was
discovered to be on fire and an alarm was
sounded from box 2S5. About $500 damage
was done before the blaze was put out. II
seems that early in the evening several boys
were playing iu the basement and IL is sup
they neglected TO extinguish before leaving.
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-15
HUGH CRAIG SAYS NO.

Hugh Craig, chairman of the Chamber
of Commerce, is decidedly opposed to the
theory of DR.. Wendte.
81 take no stock" he said. tin DR..
Wendte's teachings, but if, on the con-
trary, the doctors and their medicines
were kept away from patients their
chances of recovery would be infinitely
greater. The fact is, parsons and doctors
are vastly overestimated. The ecclesi-
astical clans cannot agree with each other,
and unfortunately humanity is weak
enough to imagine that the homeopath,
the allopath, the hypnopath, the poly path
and all the other purveyors of poison,
know more about their systems than they
do themselves, and allow them to specu-
late with their innarcs.'
do not ike you, DR.. Fell.
The reason why cannot tell;
But this know and know right well,
do not like you, Or. Fell
Isl claim that the doctors are responsible
for most of this. What we do want is
pure water, pure food, perfect sanitation
and plenty of sunshine, and then as DR..
Oliver Wendell Holmes has said: If the
whole of our materla medica could be
sunk to the bottom of the sea it would be
better for mankind, but all the worst for
the fishes Then the doctors might take
to theology.
81 don't agree with DR.. Wendte in COM
pairing the life of human being to that of
suffering horse or dog. On the contrary,
as l said before, if the doctors will keep
their hands off and leave the patient to
Him from whom cometh every good and
perfect gift, with whom there is no varia-
bleness nor shadow of turning the possi-
bilities are that the constitution which his
Creator has given him will pull the patient
through
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-15

The opinions Of prominent thinkers of this
City on DR.. Wendte's utterances aUith refer
ence to the modification in the name Of mercy
and for the relief Of hopeless hte-agoa,y
among humankind of that usliversaL Law Of
ciUiiization, Thou shalt not XIII" aoiU be
read NTH the deep interest that the solemn
subject demands.
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-15

Fac-Simile of a Portion of the First
Circu ar Issued by the Hing Chung
WOey Association.
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-15
a schoolhonse ON Fire.

HUDELsoN vindicated of his boyish indis-
cretions in red-hot article in the Star.
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-15

ton is directed principally against the
Emperor. The heading reads, "Regula-
tion of Promotion of China" following
which comes the preface. as follows:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-07-11
AWfuliy Put Out.

The Union preterds to be awfully
put out because in connection with
the outrage perpetrated by the Chi
cago police in the arrest of Messrs.
Murray and Brady Of this city. with
ont cause, The ARGUS cited the Chi.
cago department as being similar to
that of Rock Island in point Of manage.
ment. The stating Of the similarity
was perfectly proper in such connec.
ton. The unwarranted arrest of the
Rock Island citizens was but one Of
hundreds OF instances which go te
show the absolute incompeteocy Of
the force in that city, that permit!
criminals by scores to go free, and
such circumstances as have estab
lished the Chicago force as the worst
in history. The similarity of case!
is that Rock Island now has the mos
unfit force in its history.
But there is nothing that hurts tn,
Union so much as calling attention
to the weakness of a system which i
feels morally bound to uphold. TIT
Union is approaching the season
for its annual attack of rabies.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-07-11

Island. has accepted the instructor
ship in pharmacy and nursing at the
school Of instruction for the hospital
corps, U. 5. army. at Washington
barracks, and has moved there from
Governors Island.
Mrs. John Blake, 226 Twenty-first
/. street, stumbled on the defective
sidewalk in front OF the Harper
house yesterday and fell. fracturing
her leftwrist. The injured lady was
taken to the sanitarium where DR..
Carter attended her.
For the Saengerbund of north west
to be held at Dubuque. July % tc
%, the Chic, 60. Milwaukee & St.
Paul railway will sell excursion
tickets at ore fare-$2 s8-for the
round trip. Tickets on sale July 81
and %; good for return passage until
July 90. The Milwaukee is the sho.t
aud direct line. Trains lea Ve Rocl
Island at 1880 q. m. and p. m.
P. H. Dixon appeared at his place
of business on Second avenue TO-DAY
for the first time since the receni
happy even which made him a bene
dict. MIR. Dixon has not yet de
cided as to where he will reside
here or in Davenport-the latter
city being the home Of his bride
Mr.. Dixon is receiving copgratula
tions from his host OF acguaintances
who join in wishing him and hi
bride success and happiness in thei
new life.
For the annual meeting of thu
Baptist Young Peoples union to b.
held at Milwaukee July Is to 10. thu
Chicago. Milwaukee & st. Paul rail
way will sell excursion tickets ct on,
fare-ss. % for the round trip. Tick
cts on sale July Is, 16. II and Is
Remember this is the only direc
route 10 Milwaukee and the only on,
that can give you the choice of twt
rontes. For full particulars call OF
| the agent.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-07-11
Sealed Bids.

Rock ISLAND. July lO-Sealed bids
for the stand privileges for the
Woodmen picnic to be held at the
bop fields Aug. Is. will be received
by the undersigned up to July 20.
The privileges include cane racks,
popcorn stands and everything usu.
ally found on n picnic ground. Bids
for building dance floor and band
stand will also be received. For
specifications call on undersigned.
FRANK ECKARD.
1880 Third avenue.