The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-01-16

Battle Greek. Mich. January IA
In order to restrict and ultimately
to put an end to the production of de-
fective delinquents. Il Is necessary
to restrict the propagation OF the
feeble-minded variety of the human
race. This may be undertaken by
educating the people in the prlnci-
piles of eugenics. by laws restricting
marriage. by sterilization OF defect
ives and by segregation. Segrega
ton is the most practical and e.
fective method
This statement was made here to-
day by Hastings II. Hart OF the
Russell Sage Foundation, in an ad.
dress before the National Conference
on Race Betterment
Unfit Should Not Marry.
Education against the marriage OF
the unfit" said Mr.. Hart. reaches
only the intelligent. and Is entirely
unavailing with the classes that are
most DANGEROUS to the public vel.
fare. Restrictive marriage laws eX-
ercise only partial influence. for
the reason that the unfit reproduce
their kind regardless OF marriage
laws. Sterilization Is ut best par.
public sentiment. II Is operative in
only one CT the eight states which
have passed sterilization laws. and
there Is little reason In anticipate
that public sentiment can be edu-
Gated TO tho point Of sterilizing all
detectives. including high grade i'm
beetles, within the next fifty years.
Segregation Most Practical.
"G"Sreaa;ion is the mos, practical
and effective method. II has been
thoroughly and successfully tested
with the insane There are in the
United States more than 10000 per
ems segregated in hospitals and asy-
lums fer the insane. Thirty years
ago the segregation of the insane
seemed almost a hopeless undertak-
ing. Multitudes Of insane people
were AT large and great numbers
were kept in almshouses What has
been done fer the insane can be
done for the feeble-minded
IL the several states will establish
colonies for the feeble-minded, TO &C.
commodate those who are now kept
IT public expense in insane hospitals.
almshouses. prisons and reformator-
les, they will make room in those
institutions for persons who proper
~ belong there. and win obyiate for
the time being, the necessity for
their enlargement
Colonies For Feebie-mindeu.
The money which would otherwise
enlarge those institutions will build
colonies for the feeble-minded an
these colonies, II properly organized
and administered. will give good
care To their inmates for less money
than Is now being expended upon
them. At the same time the other
institutions. being relieved of the
feeble-minded. will be able to- do
better work for their own legitimate
population.
We should secure legislation
whereby, whenever inmates OF in
situations for other classes are found
to be predetermined. they may be
kept permanently in public care.
The Juvenile Reformatories.
We should provide By law for the
establishment of separate depart
ments or colonies in connection with
prisons and with adult and juye.
nile reformatcries.
I'VE should convert existing in.
stitutions which are no longer need.
ed for their present purposes into
state institutions for defective de
linquents.
We should undertake compre-
hensive campaign for the care of
all feebie-minded girls Of child-bear-
ing age. The problem of the feel L.
minded girl is much more acute than
that OF the feeble.minded boy. II
society will take care Of the feeble.
minded girls OF chiid-bearing age We
shall soon see visible decrease in
the numhpr NJ dafacttya Jait,,,,.,,.