The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1907-09-10
TESTING THE TRUTH.

Professor Muensterberg. the Har-
ward psychologist who explains Am
erican democracy in terms Of all sorts
OF spirits and spooks, proposes TO re
form American court procedure. He
plans to elevate ii from the naive
credulity of the kindergarten ami
place II on a firm scientific, psyche
logical foundation. Professor Muen-
sterberg is very indignant at the news
papers because they criticised-light.
ly enough the manner in which he
gave passing judgment on the credit
bility of Orchard, after brief stay at
Boise City during the Haywood trial,
and in the current McClure's he takes
his vengeful fling, aud piousiy
hopes that some day in the far future,
long after he has put the courts on
higher basis. the newspapers will al
last wake up to the advantages, of his
private method for being right.
His present article Is devoted in the
main to giving some illustrations OF
hackneyed nature concerning the in.
accuracy of observation; how the
moon looks bigger to one man than 10
another, and how men vary in their
estimates of the number Of spots on
a card which they have swiftly looked
at. Later on he proposes TO describe
some criminal cases and reveal the
"uncanny certainty'-the phrase Is
not his own but his publisher's-with
which his methods can guage "yeraci-
ty, imagination, sensibility and similar
traits of mind and character. Then
he will advise the courts to hire psy-
biologists along with bailins and |
clerks, put all witnesses 20 expert. |
mental tests, and send the witnesses |
10 the witness stands with certificates |
Indicating the percentage OF creditibili-
y to which they are entitled. The
Jury viii no longer be the Judge OF
he facts, but only of the facts at the
psychologists discount
There is no doubt that certain
mall percentage of men are very
lpt 10 see what they expect to see,
md to believe they have seen only
What fits their views of situation.
md Il is possible that such witnesses
ould be wlnnowed out by proper
ests. Then, perhaps, in estimating
he value OF certain details OF theis
estlmoRy, apart from the main issues.
useful check could be placed upon
hem. But the great mass OF testl.
lony has it's value entirely apart
rom the accuracy of the witnesses
of details, and II Is safe
, say our present court methods, I'M
erfect as they are, work toward much
lore satisfactory decisions than any
the psychologists tests, or any thai
Is widest dreams could hope for.
Meantime, while the credibility of -
Iggestible witnesses is under consid. !
ration, an excellent illustration could
e added to the professors list, drawn !
rectly from one Of his own books.
e Is convinced, namely, that certain
cry important principles OF a highly
neral nature underly the activities
the two great political parties OF !
e country. Looking at the country 7
rough lnt Hp'ClhNlth Whlch lhlh toh'
ction provides, he has discovered s
at a certain variety OF corporation
capitalistic graft is natural and
'cessary for the Republican party, I
I'd a certain variety of vice graft for
e Democratic party, The type Is S
the crooked politician, Republican
ID New York City Democrats are n
reed into the classification to 1T IT,
'ofessor Muensterberg to the contra.
, there is, however, good ground for
ileving that all dollars look alike
the crooked politician, REPUBLICAN
Democrat. and that he takes the
Dst OF those he can get most easily.
Testing the professor psychological.
by this and other Illustrations of
) own judgment, II will manifestly a
wise to wait a while before letting a
m reform things. a