The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1902-10-30


ly imprisoned, to more or less pro-
longed and searching examination,
commonly called the "sweat box"
The object of this examination is
to ascertain all that is possible about
the prisoners antecedents, his friends
and acquaintances and his actions and
whereabouts; and in fact anything and
everything which may possibly tend to
his disadvantage and prejudice or that
of some person or persons whom the
police suspect of some crime.
The severity of the examination
varies according to the temperament
of the examining official and the neces-
sity he feels under of obtaining the
desired information. 1t ranges from
mild form of questioning, accompanied
by plausible promises of favors to be
extended if the answers are satisfac-
tory, but which promises he usually
has no intention of keeping and prob
ably could not if he would, to a method
of procedure which Is closely modelled
on that of the Spanish Inquisition.
Not so very long ago we were treated
to the spectacle of many would-be
patriots coming forward and volunteer
ing the information that the so-called
"Water cure," and other inquisit0rial
appliances, being administered in the
Philippines, which were in danger of
causing this country to be censured by
all civilized humanity, were in con-
slant use in their police department.
Again, at the tine when it was of the
utmost Importance, not only to this
nation but to every organized govern
ment in the world, to obtain certain
information from the assassin of Nc
Kinley, prominent detectives from
many different districts recommended
various means of torture which they
had found efficacious in innumerable
minor cases and one of them even went
so far as to graphically describe the
manner in which he had strung q pris-
oner up by the thumbs until he con-
fessed all that was wanted to convict
an accomplice. 77'aEsss
1t is hardly necessary to say that
even in its most modified form no pris-
oner can be legally compelled to sub
NIT to this practice, for any person
who has read the constitution knows
that an accused person need not tes-
tify against himself; and as for those
instances in which torture is applied
the same document provides that cruel
and unusual punishment shall not be
inflicted even on convict, and police
man is not immune from the conse-
quences of needless assault or exces-
sive violence any more than private
individual.
Unfortunately in any particular in
stance, when such an assault has been
committed, it IS generally very difficult
to make out sufficiently strong case
to secure a conviction, because the
evidence consists of the testimony of
men who are more or less under a
cloud. The only real hope of abolish
ing the practice lies in the probability
that the public spirit will some day be
sufficiently aroused to call for the ina
mediate dismissal from public employ
ment of any man against whom there
is anything like reasonable suspicion.
So far as Captain Titus is concerned.
his statement leaves no room for doubt
in anyone's mind that altho he knows
1t to be wrong he stands ready to ad-
here to this practice at such times az
1t may serve his purpose to do SO, un-
less the unfortunate person in his
power is able to himself protect those
rights of which Captain Titus is one
of the paid guardians. E. G. "A.