New-York tribune., 1869-02-27
NEW-YORK LIFE.
PROFESSIONAL THIEVES-HOW THEY LIVE,
AND HOW THEY OPERATE


AND HOW THEY OPERATE.
In the larger towns and cities tho sdepfeaaSS
tions of thieves are invariably carried nPy ne
hers Of what is technically termed the criminal class-a
class most of whom have been cOpsicted aga'p anu
again. who thieves by profession, anu Weuiu NOV "a
they had the opportunity, devote themselves 10 an nun
est way Of gaining living. Prison walls nave no 'e''
for them punishment hasno reforming eet }n lao''
their only reason gg get out ofconnnement is
,h,tnev NAV retur 10 the aunts where their friends
and comrades may be found and where there are nost
facilities for recommending their dlshenest career.
1t seems that there is little hope under any system d oI
nn,iislpeIt Of reforming orr criminal popuauon anu
Tenderine them useful and valuable citizens But n
nv mo uns so certain that cannot 70 great eNteh
spSer thep harmless aud this end must follow
n,s ;sr course Of action than that which is ordinarily
brought to bear the criminal mnlsel lhe stato9
, U mot fhe are three distinct parties to the cOm4is
sion of robbery First The keeper OF the lS
mouse amttey Of the robbery Third The post Jdcto
accnmpice-he receiver of stolen goods as 10 Une ho
1rieors of dsreputable houses orr thieves cribs theie
u little denbt that the authorities in NnbetFy'st eotd
furnish most complete list of em sofar rs TINS ei is
eoncernsd end i would be pfEsSE SaE was LAT the
little entter boys In theie neighborhood are
reason either in law regards the liberty OF the @
zen;wy propetors Of such houses should nos % 5S nr
ferea with These men all have license 10 seh ngor'
wheh is renewable wear Ivy year Leu lhe Ppnue sen, ~
hand in every year TO the licensing st b ~
hauns Of thieves and euglas Depryed q hs
resrf II1,alle to lind shelter IN any uot
cile the thief would hnd nnlseiI ih gIySt
strait for Ntout such he has no place where ne
can nyeuientiy meet his fellowcrmin1s 70 coneoct
robheres ma plan burgarcs; and the separatonW 1ne
criminal fTqm his cpRpanOus ~ efillS -
one Of The greatest ends toYard his reIQraIy Day
Inuch mere difficult class OF Iersons 70 ge Hte Wy
receyers of solen goods Professional tleVes raj
ever save money They are generally exiftNagant ~
their personal habits and are almost ihvaria9 inveft
ate eamhers consequently living from manu- 70 neetn
as they DO tits paramount Deresty WIN tsea % ~
some readily available means OF disPoshls vi uu
OF their dppredaOns. TO enable them u 90 tlS ~ ~
necessary Tor them to make arrangnlnents VII syyie
ninnde r safe cnstOdy and for sale and s
ist wh hoye all others II is desirable 10 reaeh Hs
entities are no doubt very great Wheuapprehehdeu ana
brought TO Justice he will plead every exense uhuer tne
sup; of business I9norance oftrade OncqhF
tanee with his customer, aud that he was unaWu " WIG
Not one Of these pleas VIII hold good on
Temporary pressure Of business may pc aWas mst ~
tefIporary Increased saf Oh ASSISTANTS np ~ pzn ~
shold Ge allowed plead ignorance OF true o
openy and habittially engages M Donacqua
itb iiis customers Is an for " man Is gong
IN Inv goods at al honest price he can buy them uss az
chealy iB market as ne can from cna99 tra.uI
and * he is paWnDrOeer by preiesson anu thereiote
more the eontr0l OF the legal ne GER
fajnf0 e qlckfy Informed II lie has been deallng Win
dshohesf customer With regard 70 tne tourtt pea
il eertairly woud not be harsh, or adverse
10 the rights and freedom Of citizenship h man We're
heldrespODslhe for desng in an article o1 Whica no
openly pTOiessed gHUralIce Of tho real value oueh
TRANSACTIONS be called eetmAte trade ana 40 t
dOubtedly eepdqee TO d3pEedauen;I Az wouu hppett
stolen goods would be 10 make their various pleas no eA
teuaton OF their ofense and TO treat them Hogetner
as purtieeps eriniiTs without them thore would befew
thieves Let get rid Of them and the thieves