Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-04-02
Crime as a Business,

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ceeded in securing the confidence Of
the criminal fraternity by visiting
their sick, and sometimes Kneeling by
tho bedside of tho dying thief, has
contributed 10 one Of the London mag
azines an interesting account of the
way in which tho thieves live and
movo in that rather exclusive social
circle known as tho "Thieves' Quar-
ter" We little know how complete
is the organization and how effective
tho mutually Of feeling and interest
existing among the members of the
predatory class. Both in business
and social arrangements this organic
alton is as thorough and efficient as
any that binds together the member.
ship of any other class of workers.
This consolidation of individual inter.
ests for the protection and advantage
Of the entire body is all the more
dangerous to the community, mas
much as its purpose is to strengthen
the very class which most needs weak
ening,and to unite for greater efficiency
those elements Of mischief which, dan
gerous rs they are when insulted, be-
come terribly potent for evil when
concentrated into sort Of syndicate
Of scoundrelism. By such means they
are able to aid, counsel, abet, and com
fort one another; and, in point of
fact, the agreeable and beneficial feat
ures Of association are MS desirable
and welcome to the hunted outlaws
these social Ishmelites- To any
other class in the community.
The reverend observer referred to
expresses the surprise he felt on dis
covering the thoroughness of organ
ization and the truly iraternal relations
existing among these moral exiles.--
Selecting some particular quarter for
their residence, they proceed TO colo
nize in that locality, and it is no un-
common thing for three or four con-
tiguous streets to be wholly tenanted
by them. And to property owners
whose conscience and dignity are not
ruffied in receiving even stolen money
for rent, so long as the amount paid Is
liberal, such tenants as these are rath-
er than else desirable; for the thieves,
in order to be together, will pay dis
proportionate prices for accommoda-
tions, and meet their engagements
with all the honor additionally ap-
pertaining to the guild. But, high as
may be the prices they pay for the
premises thus occupied, II does not
follow that, beyond the advantages Of
vicinago and association, they get
much for their money. They arc
willing to pay literally for the privi.
lege OF being near each other, and,
this secured, such details as comfort,
cleanliness, light and air are stoically
left out Of the account. The aspect
of the thieves quarter in any large
city is generally low and dingy, but
it has an atmosphere Of peace and
quietness, and the inmates are much
more orderly than one would suppose,
simply because it does not pay 10 at
tract attention by brawls and noisy
contentious. Silence gives consent to
their colonies to exist, whilo noiso and
confus..ccn would inevitably lead To a
.,.,,.,,,, of tho fraternity by invit-
inr in The police. OF coi:'se these
localities are q suspected sev~o" o.
tho city, and are kept under surveil-
lance by tho police. Whoever visits
them with any regularity is compro-
missed in character and compelled TO
endure, TO q greater or less degree,
tho inconveniences of being shadowcd.
Although there is little in tho cx
ternal characteristics of these thieves
colonies or the conduct OF the tcnan-
try, to excite suspicion, ono who is
able TO get below the surface and learn
the mysteries Of the thieves quarter
will, by degrees, discover traces Of a
complete organization and system such
as the outside world knows nothing
about, and which is sodulously con.
cealcd from any but the members OF
the fraternity. They have their drink
ing saloons, shops, tradesmen, lodging
houses, private regulations, slang Ian.
ruagc, and social distinctions. All OF
which p,ay their respective parts in
contributing to the secrecy, security,
and success of tho clan. II mist be
borne In mind that crime, In our larger
cities particularly, is carried on upon
an extensive scalo as an affhir Of busi-
ness, and il the regular stated oooupa-
ton of largo numbers acting in con-
cert, whose sole means Of obtaining a
livelihood are made TO depend on IT,
To carry on this Cuisines" with any
hope Of success, the proceedings OF the
interested parties Cor psrtnors) must
necessarily DO governed BY Just such
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