The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-09
ERON OTHER PENS
A MODERN MALADY.

Mr.. Roosevelt applied the term ina
ture fakers' to certain individuals who
invested animals with an intelligence
and with characteristics almost more
than human. but that term is mild
compared to the one given to the
same class of persons. or rather to the
ailment that possesses them by DR..
Charles L. Dana, an eminent nerve
specialist. He says the abnormal love
for and interest in animals is a form
of mental disorder to which he gives
the name of "zoophilphychosis."
This malady, he says, is character
lied by tormenting ideas and worrying
fears, but has underlying it a morbid
state of mind; persons affected by it
also regard the animal mentality as of
the human type, which, he says, is a
mistake. 1--WE have come to regard an
imals differently from what we did a,
100 years ago." he declares. 1--WE breed
them more carefully, train them bet
ter kill them less ruthlessly, and we
are properly more concerned for their
welfare. but carrying regard for them
to extremes is significant of a weak
nature" The sympathies of people
so affected go to animals rather than
to children; they are quick to OBJ
serve animal distress, but are blind
to the sufferings of their fellow be-
ings. Much of this feeling is an arti-
ficially cultivated tenderness toward
supposititious uffering.-Indianapo
Star.
CASTRO AGAIN.
Cipriano Castro will not cease to
be a troublesome factor in the affairs
of Venezuela, and consequently in the
relations between that country and
the United States. until he has passed
from this sphere of existence. The
man is a born agitator, and nothing
but death can stop him from intrigu-
ing and plotting to regain the power
which he only rehnquished to go to
Europe for surgical treatment which
he believed to be necessary to save his
life. Now he is going back, not to
Venezuela, for it is understood that
just at present the Venezuelan poll
teal climate is not propitiouS, but to
Trinidad, where he hopes to establish
himself as at point of vantage to
watch for the suspicious moment to
seize the reins of authority in his own
country.
The United States, it is stated, is
closely watching Castro's movements,
That it will be .chagrined If he sues
presidency is plain. Bu- it cannot ac-
! lively take hand to prevent revolu-
ton engineered by him to restore him.
self to the seat of authority. 1t can
do much to render his task difficult.
but by indirect means. Obviously, if
Castro is in truth scheming to return
to power. and if he succeeds in eff
| fecting landing near at hand, Secre-
| tary Knox will have some anxious
| hours during the next few months
| Washington Star.
THE INHERITANCE TAX SNAG.
The proposed tax on inheritances in
| the pending tariff bill is encountering
more criticism and opposition than
any other single proposition. The
New Hampshire legislature has pro-
tested against it. The Connecticut
| Senate asks it's senators and repre-
sentatives in congress to vote against
1 that feature of the bill. Governor
/ Hadley. of Missouri. thinks that inner
| itances should be a source of state
revenue and he urges the legislature
| of that state to enact an inheritance
| tax before 1t is appropriated by the
4 national government
There is nothing to prevent both
| state and nation taxing inheritances
| except the great injustice of double
| taxation. Thirty-three states in var
| ious ways and in varying degrees tax
| fnherftances. Some of the states get
| a very considerable portion of their
| revenue from iifIeritances. and they
will not willingly give it up to the
| national government On the other
| hand, if both taxing powers levy taxes
| on inheritances the result will be
confiscatory and oppressive.-Phila-
delphia Press.