Was Czolgosz Hypnotized?

Magazine Editor Advances the Theory That the Assassin Was the Irresponsible
Agent of Anarchist Murderers—Believes That He Had No Control
of His Mind During the Deed or After—Hypnotism
Explains His Shocking Callousness.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
     Evansville, Ind., Nov. 12.—“Was Czolgosz Hypnotized?” is the subject of an article in Listen, a monthly paper published by Edward Miller of this city. Miller writes as follows:
     “It may be hard for the public in general to understand why Czolgosz was so indifferent about the horrible crime he committed. To those who understand the science of hypnotism it is not very surprising, for it would not have been a difficult matter for a first-class hypnotist to have taken Czolgosz, and, after hypnotizing him, to have given him what are known as ‘post-hypnotic suggestions,’ to be carried out just as they were given. Any one who understands these things can see and understand that the assassin was not controlled by his own mind, but that he was controlled by a mind that had no fear back of it.

No Control of Himself.

     “His indifference to his fate, his refusal to have anything to do with the clergy even to the last minute, his ability to sleep for hours before he was killed, all denote a total lack of having any control of himself, and that he was or could have been actuated by the suggestions of some good operator of intelligence. It is a fact that there are men in the world who can direct intelligence by using the power of hypnotism. I am satisfied that Czolgosz was the first man who has been condemned for a crime who was so indifferent to his fate. Any mind that had control over itself would have said a great deal more about the crime than he did. It is almost impossible for a mind to refuse to act on its own thoughts. If the assassin had had control over his own thoughts he would have had other reasons for doing the terrible deed, but if he was hypnotized it is easy to understand why his excuse was so brief.

Hypnotism Explains Callousness.

     “And if he was hypnotized I am not surprised that he said he was the only person who had anything to do with the crime, and if the anarchists had him hypnotized it is easy to understand why they were so indifferent about the whole matter. Some people were sure that the assassin would not implicate others. This is strange to me. It looks like these people knew exactly what the poor devil was going to do and say. When a hypnotist has his subject under control he never worries about what that subject is going to do or say. He knows he can do with the subject what he pleases. I think it would be advisable to try and learn if some of the anarchists of the country do not understand hypnotism. If it is found they do, Czolgosz’s indifference is an easy matter to understand.”
     Miller is a Spiritualist, and his writings are extensively read.