Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-09-16

At least two men of prominence IN
Newark emphatically advocate euthan-
asia, the painless putting to death of
persons who are suffering from Incur
able and distressing disease.
They are David B. Corson, assistant
superintendent of schools, and DR..
James c.. Corlies, veterinary surgeon,
who is the head of the Humane Society.
Others, equally emphatic In their
opinions, launch diatribes of protest
against even the suggestion of making
legal and practical such a practise.
They attack both its .j~ustihability and
its expedieney.
Suicide was prevalent in the days
of the Roman empire" said David B.
Corson to an Evening STAR reporter
today. Men who were hopelessly af-
ficted or fatally injured reserved for
themselves the right of putting them
selves out of misery.
1.-The tuberculosis patient, the man or
woman who suffers from cancer or any
other disease of such a nature, Is fac
ing a hopeless condition.
Personally 1t seems to me IL that
sufferer so wishes he ought legally to
have the right to choose DEATH
Corlies Speaks Strongly.
DIR. James C. Corlies, president of the
Humane Society, who has made the
subject a matter of much study, is a
thorough advocate OF ~euthanasia. He
is an out-and-out believer in allowing
the individual the right to choose q
painless death instead of a lingering
and tortured agony.
Surely we should extend to human
beings" he said to an Evening STAR
reporter today, 'the mercy which the
Humane Society gives to animals.
Il think ~euthanasia is one of the best
things that could be established. ] be-
lieve that it is in harmony with the
institution of which | am the head.
CAS- a member of the Humane So
ciety. I have always advocated that
euthanasia be legalized. Nothing but
good could follow SO merciful and
humane a plan.
My idea is that there should be en-
acted by the Legislature an act en-
towering the governor to appoint a
commission composed of physicians
one or more-and that they should be
subject to call in cases seemingly in
u AoA1f al h1 LAA1 ~ - -
to have his misery terminated.
Advises State Commission.
Those Immediately interested, the
relatives, should ave the privilege of
appointing WI individuals TO consult
with the commission. That commits
sion would be authorized to determine
whether the case should be disposed of
in that way or not. The will of the
patient, of course, would be consulted
first.
This would prevent the slightest
possibility of any abuse. The objection
that the progress of science would be
hampered is not well taken. Life is so
sweet that no one wants to give IT up
II there is the slightest hope.
"Euthanasia has been opposed, of
course. All progress has been made in
the face of great opposition from the
masses. New ideas are hard to grasp.
But mercy to those who suffer the
terrible pangs of hearing a dying man
or women beg to be put out of their
misery. as have myself heard them
do, cannot oppose so wise and merciful
an act as e~uthanasia.'
Mrs. Jenkinson Disngrees.
Mrs. Richard c. Jenkinson, president
of the Y. W. C. A., was equally en-
phatic in her attitude:
II don't think we should take human
life under any p%retext," she said. Il
feel very strongly about il. We have
no power to take human life and we
should not attempt to exert any such
power"
Miss IL. Margaret Coult, head Of the
English department of the Barringer
High School, was not in favor of eu-
thanasia.
ut seems to me" she said, that
medical science has gone so far in dis
covering how to alleviate pain that
euthanasia is rendered unnecessary. |
think decidedly that no human author
ity can give the right to take a human
life. Life is far too sacred and means
far too much for anyone to assume so
grave a responsibility as euthanasia
would necessitate."
William Hamilton Osborne, novelist
and member of the bar, explained very
succinctly his own ideas.
81 do not think euthanasia is justi-
fable. Records show that many per-
sons who have been declared hopelessly
Ill have recovered and lived for years.
THE doctors themselves admit that
medicine is not an exact science. They
are frequently surprised at the wonder
full vitality shown by their patients.
How car it be determined when a
case is hopeless? That is why l am
not in favor of eu~thanasia."
DR.. Frederick A. Vaudeville simply
said:
Il have such radical opinions that I
hesitate to discuss them"
Human life is very precious" said
the Rev. DR.. Davis w. LuslS. former
pastor of the Sixth Presbyterian
Church, ut should be spared and CON
served as far as possible. One would
have to be very careful in such a prac-
tise as ~euthanasia.
"And yet I should not like to give
and absolute yes or 10. The whole
question Is one OF the utmost delicacy
something that cannot be decided ex-
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