Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1909-12-03
MEMBERS OF ASSOCIATED PRES
CRIMINALS AND INSANE.

CRIMINALS AND INSANE.
We published yesterday news dis
patch from Fargo in which were sci
forth the views of Judge Charles F.
Amidon of the federal court with ref
erence to criminals and insane. AS
we read the dispatch, Judge Amidon
in a public address suggested the
wisdom of executing persons hopeless
ly insane and hopelessly criminal in
their tendencies, to the end that the
ffttest of society might survive, and
be relieved of the burden of caring
for these classes over long term of
years at considerable expense.
We are inclined to think the real
views of Judge Amidon have suffered
somewhat in getting into print. From
a coldly scientific and ultilitarian
standpoint, the execution of these
classes might be defended. If soci-
ETY. we're an entirely unitarian class
or mass, looking only to the econom-
ic and scientific carrying on of the
affairs of life, it might be argued that
the dangerous and helpless classes
should be exterminated, with result
tant benefit. But there is something
in human life that appeals to us be-
yond the mere considerations Of ex-
pediency or economy. Even for the
greatest of crimes-murder-th is
q distinct feeling of opposition ex-
tending among great class Of peo-
pie TO exacting the penalty of death.
It will at once suggest itself in con-
sidering this suggestion that few men
would care to declare upon the hope
lessly insanity or criminality of fell
low man or woman, If the penalty of
death were to be inflicted. Who is
there to say that any person is hope
lessly insane? Who is there to de-
clare that relief is not possible for
the person suffering from mental abb
erration? In certain definite cases of
embecility or idiocy, the physician
may declare with certainty that an
amelioration of the mental condition
is impossible. But the medical pro-
fession does not at all understand in
sanity to such an extent that it can
say this man is hopelessly insane or
that man may be helped. It is true
that many cases of insanity have been
ameliorated and cured. The term
insanity itself infers that the subject
has been once sane, has been moved
from his normal mental balance, and
it is as plainly inferred that he may
be sane again.
And who is to say that any criminal
is beyond regeneration? Who is to
declare that the light of reform and
repentance may not at the darkest
moment illumine the mind of the
greatest of criminals? There is an
old saying that while the lamp holds
out to burn the vilest sinner may re-
turn, and the lamp holds out to burn
as long as life shall last.
We fear the adoption of such a
doctrine as this one would set the
human race back instead of advanc-
ing it. We fear it would harden it
and make it cruel instead of soften
ing it and making it benevolent. The
poor, the helpless, the insane and the
criminal We shall have with US al
ways. The remedy suggested in
Judge Amidon's address as 1t has been
reported, begins at the wrong end.
We should prevent crime and insan-
ity by more closely regulating our
marriages, and by surrounding pro-
creation with greater safeguards and
better influences. We should prevent
by law the marriage Of weak minded,
criminal and insane persons-and it
could be done very simply by having
q board Of careful, scientific and
broad men to pass upon applications
for licenses to marry. If we stop
breeding the classes Of which society
complains we shall have no need TO
consider such measures as suggested.
The cure lies In more wisdom, care
and education along sociological lines,
not in permitting the weeds to grow