Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1909-12-07
INSANITY AND CRIMINALS.
Editor. Bismarck Tribune.

The editorial in Fridays issue re-
garding the views of Judge Charles
F. Amidon of the federal court with
reference to criminals and insane.
These are the views of the major
ity Of the scientists. but few have
the courage to express them.
The position of the judge fits him
to pass upon this great great ques-
ton.
We do not have to go to the scien-
list for proof that the Judge is right.
Where the incurable insane and the
chronic icriminal who are obliged to
be deprived of their liberty during
their life, at liberty to choose be-
tween life and DEATH they would pass
sentence for execution upon them
selves; very many do condemn and OK
ecute themselves, thus proving the
h1does views are right. I believe
if the Judge had his choice he would
sentence more criminals to the asv-
lum than to prison.
Poor China has all she can do to
feed her staring millions. She does
not burden herself with the expense
Of caring for her incurable insane
and lchonic criminals. She executes
them and saves them untold misery.
The writer has made insanity and
crime a life study; has spent two
years of his precious life among the
incurable insane and chronic crimi-
nal as one Of them, studying insan'
ity and crime, its cause and cure.
No one is competent to pass judy
ment upon them who occasionally
visits an asylum or prison. No, not
even the wardens of prisons or his
guards, or the superintendent, doc
tors or attendants Of asylums. For
in their presence the inmates are
like soldiers on dress parade. They
are all attention, all shaming, atcting
unnatural. 1t is tiresome to be sham
ing all the time, so they relax and
become their natural selves and give
vent to their decisions, to every feel
ing every emotion, even express
their Thoughts to each other.
The incurable insane and chronic
criminal are one and the same and
should be in the same institution
subject to the same care and treat
ment.
The medical profession knows but
little about insanity and crime; OF
its cause and cure, and are unable
to mass Judgment upon them.
There is but one cause of crime,
and that is insanity; but one rem:
edv that will cure either Of them.
The writer believes that 80 per
cent Of the insane and criminals can
be easily, quickly and permanently
cured.
Every human being has a duel ma
ture. as the good book saws. is pos
sessed with a devil. AS soon as he
Or she loses a small portit n of their
coed sense this devil nature predoun-
in ates and rules, for the time being.
until good sense again sets in the
mental throne.
L Is the greatest mistake to believe
that Our insane and criminals come
from our worst element. They all
come from our very best childrec.
, hest hovs and girls. They are the
offspring Of passionate parents.
Whereby they are carefully and prop
erIv taught and managed they make
our most splendid men and women,
whom al love, honor and respect. No
perfectly sane aerson has anv cause
or desire to lead a criminal life. They
know that Joy, happiness and peace
comes to them in STRICTLY obeving
natures laws. They know that pain,
sorrow and misery comes to punish
them for disobeying them.
F. r. sIMoNs.
Sled Runners for Go-carts Of all