New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-13
THE Rod.

A wise man of old wrote, "He that spareth
"the rod hateth his son." The necessity OF
punishment has never been questioned, but IL
has often been evaded, and the evasion has
never failed to produce its legitimate effects.
OF this the City of New York is a sufficient
witness. Our criminal courts have for years
been managed by men whose own interests
have been placed above the interests of the
community, whose judgments have been marked
by personal and party favoritism, and before
whom a criminal has only needed Influence"
10 shield him from any punishment no matter
how richly deserved. This city has never
been more overrun with crime than at the
present day. The crime, too, is all marked
by its boldness. Men are assailed
at their own doors, or in their own
Offices; banks are robbed in open
day pedestrians are waylaid in business hours
in the public streets and plundered Of their
property. There must be cause for this. No
man is entirely indifferent to punishment.
The most hardened thief generally becomes
noted for his skill in escaping from the
officers, and his crimes are all planned with
view to his own personal safety. Our thieves
seem entirely Indifferent to capture. For
few dollars they commit the most open muir
der or the most hazardous robbery. And why 7
Not because they are really Indifferent to the
gallows and State Prisons, but because they
have had every reason to believe that
even il captured, tho courts would pro-
vide for their safety. A few years ago
noted female pickpocket was detected in
an open theft and arrested. She tried
ms vain to bribe the officer who arrest
ed her. The Justice was told that she had
long been known as thief, and must be
severely punished. Still, few mornings after
as the prosecuting attorney entered one door
of the courtroom she was leaving by another,
and the Justice remarked in explanation. "She
," confessed to petty larceny, and sentence was
(" suspended" Wesley Allen is one of the most
noted of our city desperadoes. No crime is too
great or too mean for him, no risk too hazard
GUS. And why9 He is not brave man.
Thieves are never brave. But he counts surely
on being released as often as he is arrested.
Only few weeks ago he was caught in an
act Of theft, locked up, and in a few days re-
leased, and may now be seen every evening,
lounging around the theaters and saloons waiting
for some new opportunity to ply his trade. A
man was arrested few weeks ago for com
hitting burglary in Canal-st. IL was delib-
erately planned, almost successful attempt
He was committed for trial, and the public for
got his case. A few days since, the perpe-
traitor of the daring robbery at the Park Bank
was recognized as the Canal street thief. He
had not been tried, had not been acquitted,
and probably, but for his re-arrest, would never
have been heard of in the criminal courts
again. Is it wonderful that one who escaped
punishment so easily should not hesitate to
attempt q robbery in crowded bank in open
day and did not the boldness of the attempt
show that he still relied on his old protection
in case of arrest far o. .fr.l .v.g -e.l .u
A law is useful only so far as 1t is enforced.
The evil will obey it only SO far as its adj
ministrators compel obedience. Warning first
and punishment afterward is an excellent rule,
but warning without punishment is q mockery.
The more daring tho act, the more speedily
should retribution follow. Criminals must be
made to understand that the whole community,
through its magistrates, is waging ceaseless
and relentless war against their tribe. The ac-
ton Of the criminal courts during the past two
weeks has given promise of much more effect
i've work than has heretofore been recorded.
What the necessity Of the times demands is q
continuance of this same fearless justice, and
q sparing use of what has too often Slapped the
power Of law, and court, and jury-the par
'dohing power 20 ''.-4l 10 N'HAeiI oH
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