The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1914-01-14
HARRY k. ,THAW
IN NOT INSANE

| Him.
concord, N. H., Jan. 11.--Harry
Kendall Thaw would not be public
menace If released on bail, according
to the report Of the commission ap-
pointed by Federal Judge Aldrich to
inquire into Thaw's mentality.
The report says the commission
finds Thaw is not now afflicted with
any Of the mental diseases from
which he was suffering when he slew
Stanford White.
The finding was announced today
While the commissioners say they
nave reached "a definite and positive
opinion as to the present mental con-
dition of Thaw and his probable state
OF mind at the time of the homicide"
they refrain from expressing this
opinion In view of their instructions
from the court not to embarrass any
subsequent litigation where the broad
question of insanity might be involv-
ed.
Upon the question Of menace or
danger through the granting Of bail,
we may, however, be permitted and
probably are compelled" concludes
the report, ITO record our finding
that whatever may have been the
mental condition OF Harry K. Thaw
at the time Of the homicide, he now
Is not suffering from any Of the mem
tai diseases alleged by the prosccu-
ton at the time of the trials or sub
sequently thereto. namely-mania-
Oppressive insanity, paranoia, demen-
tia, praecox, or delusional insanity.
In our opinion 1t Is reasonably
probable that Harry Kendall Thaws
liberty under bail would not be dan
gerous or menace to the public
safety"
Tho Commission.
The commission comprised General
Frank 8. Streeter, a lawyer OF this
city; DIR. Morton Prince, Boston: DR..
G. Alderblumer, superintendent Of
Butler hospital for the insane, Pro-
vidence, r. L., and DR.. Charles P.
Bancroft, superintendent OF the New
Hampshire hospital for the insane
this city. Tho report will be con-
sidered by Judge Aldrich early this
week In connection with the petition
Of Thaw for admission to bail under
habeas proceedings. The Judge has
said that after tho presentation of
the report. interested parties may
have an opportunity to be heard fur
ther before the question Of ball final
ly Is passed on. No date for hear
ing has been set.
After referring briefly to Thaw's
second trial and his committal to
Matteawan State hospital the report
says the commission examined all
entries Of tho official record In the
hospital relating to Thaw from Feb
ruary, 1908, to the date OF his escape
from tho hospital. transcripts OF
three cross examinations of Thaw
by counsel for tho State Of New York
on habeas corpus proceedings were
also inspected.
"Al the cross examinations" says
the report, except that before Jus
tice Morschauser. which was brief,
covered the most searching inquiry,
into Thaw's mental condition and
attitude.
eve also had bofore u.s." said the
commissioners various exhibits, let
ters and other documents used upon
the two trials for homicide and in
other proceedings"
The report then tells OF the public
hearing held on JAM. 7. at which in
tcrested parties were asked to offer
evidence Of acts committed by Thnw
since his committal to Matteawan
tending to show personal violence,
and evidence to tho contrary. "Coun-
sci for the State Of New York." 1t
continues. declined to appear on the
ground that our power under the
order OF the court was inadequate to
a determination OF the question sub
mitted. Counsel appeared for Thaw
and offered evidence OF his custodian
ship since Sept 18, 1913"
The commission says It's mental cx-
animation Of Thaw covered a |
searching inquisition into all the acts
OF his llfe They included an exami-
nation of his present and former
mental attitudes with reference to