Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-02-03

Mr.. Stearns Of Hampden, in the senate, on
Wednesday, ook part in the discussion of the
merits and dement's OF the state constables. He
Is opposed TO maintaining the force, but the
reasons he gives for his opposition are quite
different from those advanced by other gentle
men who desire to abolish il. Mr.. Monroe and
Mr.. Boardman had each something to say
against appropriations for the state police, be-
cause they believed the officers to be unfaithful,
corrupt and inefficient. But Mr.. Stearns' main
objection seemed TO be that the establishment Of
this force was an "attempt to abolish sin" an
attempt that must fail of complete accomplish
ment, and which is not only beyond the prov
ince Of the legislature, but in itself undesirable
and implous-"Aying in the face of the
Almighty" as one reporter makes him
say. MIR. stearns himself is so far in
accord with what he understands to
be the purposes of the Almighty that
be thinks sin an excellent thing. Not that he
would dispense with virtue altogether, that too
has itq uses but sin is indispensable. His prac-
tiee seems TO accord with his theories, if we ac-
eept his statement. 81 have" he said, "some
virtues and many vices. My vices l wouldn't
lose on any account whatever. They yield me
more comfort than my virtues do Very
naturally this candid senator does not wish to
have a monopoly of these comfortable vices
81 want this sin all around me-" he declares.
This Flying fiat on your back, still and quiet in
the placid sea Of perfect virtue, is not at all TO
his mind.
Mr.. Stearns is lawyer, and much of his
practice is in the criminal courts, where he has
sin all around him, with as small an admixture
of virtue, as is readily attainable in this imper
feet world With such tastes as he admits, thi.
association with vicious characters is wei
adapted to yield him high degree of satisfac
ton. Ii would perhaps be unjust to conclude
that his championship of vice, and his protests
against the warfare upon ii by the state consta
bles, are consciously dictated by his fears tina
this warfare, If successful, would affect injuri
ously the extent of his legal practice; but it il
not unreasonable TO suppose that his opinion
that "sin, in reasonable degree, ought t.
be encouraged" has grown up will
his experience that the consequence,
of sin yield a comfortable maintenance,
10 some very respectable members of society
"The idea that you can exterminate crime 4
absurd to attempt it is impious. ''You nigh
as well try to exterminate disease" These ar
Mr.. Stearns' positions. He ought to addres
himself to the task OF converting the member
of the social science society whose leading OF
ject is TO contrive ways of diminishing III
amount of crime and disease in the world I'll
state board of health, too, ought to come in f
q share Of his condemnation, and indeed, a
churches and ministers physicians and teacher
all the agencies of reform and benefcence th,
people have been wont to regard as in speci
manner and degree doing service to God an
men have been, according to this new teach
of ethics, hghting against the moral governme
Of the Creator and the welfare Of mankind.
In this impious but hopeless crusade again
crime aud misery, the state is extensively imp
Gated IN other ways than by its support Of d
chief constable and bis subordinates 1t has {
tablished the board Of health, which costs mu,
less, andiby its authority schools are maintaine
which cost much more than the state polio
Mr. Stearns condemns these agencies only
implication, although he has courage and Sc
confidence enough, no doubt, TO assail them ,
rectly, il he thought the cxigencies of the ca