Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1907-05-02
Mr.. Elver quoted from the national
census the following statement of the
increase in idiotic population In the

These figures disclose that While
the natural increase of population had
been but 80 per cent. the increase of
detectives was I53 per cent. and are
rendered appalling by reason Of the
large number of hereditary feeble
minded, and the undue promiscuous
procreation by incurabies. Two in
curably insane women in New YORK
state, through Predetermined offspring.
involved the state of New York in
expenditures aggregating more than a
million to support the Offspring of
these two women alone. The increase
of crime and imbecility could only IL
Steamed In one way, and that is to
enact some sort of legislation along
the lines indicated before the legisla-
ture.
No Cruelty or injustice.
In answer to the charge of Assem-
blyman Peterson that the bill should
be Indefinitely postponed because il
was cruel, inhuman, contrary to di-
vine Law and demonstrations" Mr..
Elver pointed out that the operation
provided for did not entail any cruel
ty or injustice, since the only lnlng
which the operation would accomplish
would be to procure sterility and
would not, as is popularity supposed.
involve any physical mutilation. The
operation is simple and results in I'M
impaired physical and mental vigor.
The celebrated Or. A. j. Ochsner and
other physicians of national repute IA
vor the step suggested, and have per-
formed the operation hundreds of
times. They are authority for the
statement, and Mr.. Elver read numer-
GUS communications to that effect.
that the sterilization OF the incurables
would not inflict any hardship and
would not interfere with the proper
enjoyment OF life in any way; the
only thing that would be accomplished
would be to render offspring impossi-
BILE.
Quoting from Dr. Albert J. Ochsner
in response to letter of inquiry Mr..
Elver showed that that well known
authority approved the terms OF the
proposed bill for he said: at remains
with you to perpetuate known relief
to a weakening race by prevailing up
on your legislature to enact such laws
as will restrict marriage and give
those in charge OF state institutions
the authority to render every male
sterile who passes its portals, whether
it be almshouse. insane asylum, insti-
tute for feeble minded. reformatory ar
prison.
Ledvina in Opposition
Mr.. Ledvina and Mr.. Carpenter led
the fight in opposition and the former,
in the hope that to compel the mem
bers 70 go on record would scare of
some of them from voting for the
bin, he called for the ayes aod noes.
Mr. EIver demonstrated, but Assem-
blynlen Norcross and Estabrook and
Everett asserted that they had no OBJ
lection to a roll-call and were really
glad to have an opportunity OF going
on record as favcring one OF the most
needed and most effective measures
before the legislature. Messrs- Esta-
brook and Norcross made short buf
effective speeches in favor Of passing
the bill on account Of the deplorab, :
conditions existing in the institutions
for the feeble-minded in the state.
Mr. Thomas and Mr.. Ledvipa Ia
vored to rerefer the bill to the CON
mittee on Judiciary alter the motion
to Indefinitely postpone had been vot-
ed down. IS TO "a Assemblyman Car