Semi-weekly herald., 1908-03-23

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these penalties are prescribed is still
in force but it is seldom acted upon
There is a rther numerous group oi
members OF parliament who are In
favor OF passing a more stringent law
than that which now exists. BY others
1t is questioned whether any change
in this law would affect the freqquen-
cy OF suicides. In truth, the exist
ing law is quite clear enough. Sui
eide in England is murder but the
present practice OF jurles and coro
ners in charging juries is very differ.
ent The fact that man has de
stroyed himself is taken for proof tha,
he was mad, and therefore, no more a
murderer than II he had died by ac.
cideut or the hand of some other per
son.
The Salvation Army has for several
years taken in hand would-be suicides
and saved hundreds OF lives. General
Booth was moved to take the matter
up On hearing an eminent authority
on medical jurisprudence observe
that many cases OF suicide would be
prevented If the circumstances oaly
gave slight opportunity for refec.
tion.
1t often has been said OF people
slightly insane who commit or at.
taT IntI th,t 4
by unreasonable selfshness or van
ity The members of parliament who
are movoing in the matter contend
that even vanity might in many cases
be overcome by the recollection that
suiciie is murder.
One London coroner has pust stated
that in many recent cases there was
large proportion in which the sui.
eide, however insane upon one point,
was perfectly sane upon every other,
and there beng no restraining thought
in the fear OF legal consequences, he
has been left to commit self-murder
as an act affecting himself alone.
There are many men TO whom dis.
grace or dishonor seem worse than
death. Such n feeling is not uncom.
mon among oven those whose intel.
lects are considerably disordered,
Emhczzlement bankruptcy or seduc.
tion arc quite impossible to many
men who would yet commit suicide
BOULDER, Colo, March 1s.-The
Boulder Y. NJ. c. A. last night closed
its books, after a nine days canvass
for $4,000 The members raised
$4,000 This will start the local as
sociltion completely out of debt, own
ing building worth 100000 aad fur
nishings worth 10000 1t has the
only swimming pool in northern Col.
orado and also has a completely
equipped gymnasium.
WASHINGTON. March 19.-Accord.
Ing to report the enemies of DR..
Harvey W. Wiley, the originator OF
the poison squad" and the persist.
emit foe of adulteration of foods and
drugs. have forced him into an intol-
cradle position, so that II may not be
surprising If he quits the department
of agriculture.
When the pure food law went into
effect DIR. Wiley hewed to the liae in
carrying out its provisions The cry
arose that the law was being admin
istered in a hard and fast way with
consideration for the welfare of the
makers of food and drugs.
According to his supporters Dr.
Wiley has been deciding doubtful
questions in favor OF the public and
50 has made trouble for himself. His
opponents are declared to be In a
gleetHl state, thinking they at last
have the doctor suppressed and load
ed with a burden OF disafrection from
which It will take him long time to
free himself.
BELOIT, Wis, March ia roar
ing well on Charles Lathers' farm, a
short distance northeast OF Beloit,
sounds from which preceded the San
Francisco disaster is again emitting
rumbiing noises and strong wind
from its cavernous depths. 1t is as
serted that this well began roaring a
few weeks before the San Francisco
disaster and ceased at the hour when
the earthquake occurred.
ST. PETERSBURG, March, 19.-Re-
ports of the illness OF Count Leo Toll
stoy have been received at Moscow
He tainted yesterday and remained
unconscious for a considerable time.
He was quite weak from an attack
of influenza and his condition excltes
alarm. Two physicians have left Mos
COW for Yasnaya Poliana to attend
him.
CHICAGO, March 19.-It has be
come known that sensational letters
threatening a novel and hideous form
of assassination have been received
recently by Mayor Busse. Chief or Po
lice Shippey and assistant, Chief
Schuettler. The letters also contain
dozen or more steel points. They
were smooth, bright and sharp. The
letter tn MAYOR pueea ,vae yrittar ir