Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-04-01
MORE SEVERE LAWS TO
SUPPRESS DOPE TRADE
Workhouss Honor Men Show
No Mercy for Drug Peddlers,
Pity for Addlcts.

That peddlers OF dope" arc among
the lowest and most despicablo or all
criminals and deserving OF little, II
any, consideration, that upon convic-
ton their punishment should be Of
tho most severe character and that
dope" addicts are more to be pitied
than ccnsured" arc some Of the out
standing features OF resolutions adopt
ed last night at the Workhouse by
tho Honor Court. that body OF prison.
ers at tho institution who practically
have full charge OF the inmates under
tho supervision Of Warden NJ. s.
Plummer.
The court also adopted resolutions
specifyins the punishment that should
be melted out to certain offenders
against the honor system In force In
the prison. They also asked for the
support OF the people OF tho state in
their efforts to have the Legislature
pass laws providing more severe pun
ishment for dope peddlers and they
further suggested the kind OF treat
ment they think should be given the
drug addicts.
The resolutions are as follows:
THAT any person for Legitimate
reasons has been released from this
Institution before tho expiration of
his or her time. and comes back
after being discharged. shall be put
In the third grade. with the excep-
ton OF the solitary confinement and
less Of time penalty;
THAT he or she must work in the
shop and be denied all positions Of
responsibility;
THAT all habitual offenders shall
be denied all positions OF RESPONSE
biity and be put In the shop 20 work
until the expiration OF their sem
fences.
We respectfully request Of the
next LEGISLATURE of the State of Del
aware the passage Of more stringent
laws for the punishment of dope
peddlers;
That they shall receive a sentence
OF not less than ten years and not
more than twenty years OF fiat time.
THAT the dope addicts be commit
ted to. the State Hospital for a period
OF not less than Ave years, nor more
than ten years and shall not be re-
leased except upon the recommends
ton OF three reputable physicians.
That In our opinion the dope ped
der Il a producer Of crime and
menace to society and Is responsible
for many Of the crimes committed to-
day;
That the drug addict IL deteri
ment to the health OF this institution
and more TO be pited than censured,'
and should not be placed In the same
penitentiary with people who have
committed crimes.
We most earnestly request the
rood citizens OF Delaware TO urge that
this law Be enacted and put into effect
at tho earliest possible time"
The Honor Court also adopted the
following conclusions:
THAT our only asset 4, good be- |
havior; that we are not unmindful or !
unappreciative OF tho deep interest
citizens OF this State: that our honor
system teaches US to accept the social |
Judgment the rights of individuals /
and their property and our personal
responsibility TO society that all re- /
lationships call for rights and duties
. nd that we must accept the conclusion
that has been prescribed for our con-
duct.
Our honor system Also teaches US
and emphasizes the doctrine of per-
eonal responsibility when we violate
the social Judgment and become
wards OF the State" 1
In connection with the foregoing
the Honor Court discussed the fact
that OF the 9S5 men and women who
have passed out OF the institution
during the past twelve months. only
about eight have returned. exclusive
Of the drug addicts who are not
classed as criminals but merely as
suffering humanity"