The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-04-24
He Favors "GoIden Rule" Plan
for the First Offenders,
Deeming Punishment for
Them as UnWise.
A STERN COURSE FOR
HABITUAL OFFENDERS
Consideration for Them by Po-
lice Officers Would Only
Cause Them to Repeat
Their OffenSeS.

just how much good does it do to
fine a man for intoxication and send
him down to the county jail as the
guest of the tax payers for an indefi-
mite period? And u not just as great.
II not greater. moral effect often pro-
duced simply by having the officer
lead the inebriate to his home and
start him again In the path of the
straight and narrow with a kindly
word OF advice. rather than push him
roughly into the patrol wagon, slate
him for drunk and throw him into Jail
for an indeterminate sentence?
In reply Mayor Zimmerman con-
tends that in many cases a greater
moral effect is produced by treating
an intoxicated man with consideration.
The contention is made that the man
remembers this treatment for days af-
forwards with feeling of remorse for
his conduct. rather than with a feeling
Of bitterness he otherwise would
have, were he committed to Jail.
However, this method Of procedure ia
by no means effective in all cases. In
fact such plan. in many instances,
would result only in burlesque
farce, according to Mayor thinner
man, who declares that with habitual
drunkards and old police court stand
bys. 1t would not work at all.
u. Has . Good Effect.
Continuing. Mayor Zimmerman stat
ed that often after man had been
sentenced several times for intoxica-
tion and served time in Jail. that
don't care what happens to me-
feeling possesses him and causes him
to lose all interest in his home and
surroundings. While, on the other
hand the mayor declared. by helping
first offenders out of their difficulty
and appearing to take an interest in
their ~elfare. by offering timely
word of advice at an opportune mo-
ment. such kindness would be appre-
ciated and the resolution to brace up
and be a man. Just to show his friends
he could. would be uppermost in the
unfortunates mind in the cold gray
dawn Of the morning after"
Mayor Zimmerman alleged that both
he and Chief OF Police 1. A. Gormon
have been strong advocates of the
golden rule" plan with intoxicated
persons who are not in the list of ha.
bitual drunkards. for some time. be.
lieving It to be the more logical way
to deal with this class. The idea has
been adopted with success in Indiana.
polls and Toledo recently, the argu.
ment being made in both Of these cit.
les that to arrest man for drunken
ness savors a spirit of revenge and
that the purpose of the police depart.
ment should be to do the most good
for the greatest number of persons.
IN great many cases where men
are arrested for intoxication" said
Mayor Zimmerman, great injustice is
done to them and to their families.
They are taken to the police station,
locked up and in court the next day,
upon their plea of guilty are fined and
sentenced to Jail. They lose their 20
sitions frequently and bring want and
suffering to their families. Often
times the disgrace occasioned by their
commitment to Jail starts them on the
road to crime"
II is believed that the movement for
the uplift OF the drinking man might
be adopted with great degree of sue.
cess in this city and be instrumental
in doing a great amount of good in
this community.