Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 December 1900 — HAD A ROUGH EXPERIENCE. [ARTICLE]

HAD A ROUGH EXPERIENCE.

It Convinced the Judge that Sane Men Might Be Sent to an Asylum. M. H. Ghetwynd, of Philadelphia, in commenting on a recent case where a sane person was released by the courts from an asylum where he had been illegally confined, told the following story: “About twenty years ago a lawyer of prominence got Into a controversy on this very point with an equally well-known judge. The lawyer maintained that It was the easiest thing in the world to get a sane person confined in an asylum. The judge, while admitting that It might be possible, held that it would be very difficult and that the difficulties would increase in proportion to the position in society of the Intended victim. *A person’s standing in the community presents no obstacle,’ said the lawyer. ‘Why,’ turning suddenly to his companion, ‘I could even get you locked up In an asylum If 1 wanted to.’ ‘Nonsense,’ answered the judge, and then he laughed aloud at the absurdity of the Idea and the discussion for the nonce was dropped.

“It occurred on a railroad Vrain, which, stopping a short time later at a station, the lawyer suggested to the judge that they stretch their legs on the platform. They had not got ten feet from the train when the lawyer suddenly hurled himself upon the Judge and at the same time cried aloud for help. A half dozen bystanders rushed to the lawyer’s aid, and before the judge realized what had happened he was held by a dozen hands. ‘All right; thank you,’ said the lawyer to the men who had come to his aid. ‘Tie his hands behind his back, for he's dangerous.’ This was too much for the judge. ‘l’m Judge So-and-So,’ he began with dignity, ‘and this outrage—Just then he felt a rope on his wrist and his selfpossession deserted him and he fairly raved at the indignities that were being heaped upon him. He resorted to language not usually heard from the bench or employed by the judiciary. But the more he said the less effect it seemed to have ou his captors. “Finally he paused for breath and the lawyer in a quiet voice said: ‘Are you satisfied now that I was right in the argument?’ ‘Satisfied!’ began the judge, hysterically, ‘satisfied!’ But he got nQ further. ‘Yes, d—n you!’ was the manner In which he lowered his colors.

“A few words and judiciously distributed coins among his captors by the lawyer released the judge and enabled him to get upon the train just as the conductor called ‘All aboard!’ "In the town where they had stopped was the State lunatic asylum and the advent of lunatics was a part of the town's dally routine. Hence the alacrity with which the -judge was seized. ‘But it was a pretty rough object lessod,’ he complained when he had recovered sufficient equanimity to enter Into conversation with his companion. ‘Perhaps, but it proved what I said.’ was the reply, ‘and who knows but that some day it may prove of great value to you and enable you from that experience to prevent or else to right a great wrong.’ The judge made no reply, but lost himself in thought."