New-York tribune., 1873-05-17
SOCIAL SCIENCE CONVENTION
THE RATIO OF SEX IN CRIME.

FENDERS AND oFFENsRs-THE NTERNAT1oNALS
DISCUSSED BY Mr.. WATSON.
RBoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TR1BUNE.l
BOSTON, May 15.-The Social Science Conven-
hon opened this morning promptly at 10 o'clock with
sudience only half large attracted yesterday
BY the battle OF the giants Josiah Quincy occupied the
chair and introduced Dr. Edward Jarvis OF Boston, who
read paper the physiological origin OF crime and
Seton TO DR. Jarvis is well known throughout The
sountry Of eminent and Trustworthy sta
ecians in the United States 1t department. OF labor
10 be in which there is abundant for error
but in which, from this very reason, accurate ana care
ful congratulations the valuable. The Doctors
paper excited little interest 1t did not please every
body Of course, No paper yet read before the Assoa
hOn las been cheap enough to succeed in such worth
less aim. The discussion it developed overapped the
ame for the next paper by threequarters OF an hou
Andn the Chairman had not checked it to protect the
sther readers the orders Of the dy would have been
sadly marred. pleasant and profitable feature OF
abe meeting was the presence OF Miss carpenter
Of England. sister Of the distinguished physiSogst
"A woman who from the admirable WORK she
has done in England needs no introduction
20 The reformsrs ana % s o tG @ryey was
present as were also several several Boston minister's
s rSer TepTeseped 1nS The ladies thnned out consd
erably in the afternoon. when the discussion took
voion social and social amenities by holding
out faithfully 20 the end.
INFLUENCE OF SIX on CRIME.
One OF our Wlsest ana most lcdfneu Juugts, many
years ago that the law the perfection of
morality and reason. That is the theory, and so it
should he Perhaps it's near to this description as
humanity can bring it. Certainly it is near the
should be-smpy the statement or record Of what the
best for them individually or generally to do not 10
do Their representatives the Government the King,
or the legislature shape their plan into rule and put
1t into the form Of language that all my read ad
understand il, and govern themselves aceordqgy. iae
kw thus intends TO reach all the conditions and relations
erty, public order, private right, and indiyld
that ntSsy teyy shall Gs Rot be donc o "F Il com@snd5
other things, aud says that they SHAH be done Pre-
sunptiyely the law and lis requirements aud ITS prOm
bOns represent every mans interests aud wants, and
presumptyey all persons obey them and shape their
lives Ia conformity to them But as IN regard 10 tle
human body and human mind there are variations ana
and peryorsties in manifold ways and degrees There
are manifold kinds aud degrees OF crimes, msdeDedn
There crimes against the person-iuures, assault
les thefts frauds etc There are crimes against public
sne's self one kills. another fights, "A thri steals
fourth drinks 10 lntOAlCauOn, aud uIlh IS = uSd'-
walker.
BODILY INFLUENCE OVER THE MORAL STATE.
These are very different in their purposes and
consequences and there different states Of tho moral
constitution out Of which they grow. They pro-
dnoed by different motives in the mind and heart OF tho
transgressor sOme peryerse in only one element
late only command OF the law. Some are perverse
Iaandments others are more generally corrupt and
guilty many kinds Of disobedience. Some murder or
hght, but not tempted 10 steal Some dishonesty
grasp peoples property, but have desire 70
lay violent hands their person. Some are drunEen
but kind ana respectful IN their intercourse, ana
honest in their dealings with other people. Men act
GpOn. mpelled by, very different motives, which
depend upon different states of the moral, the mental,
and even the physical constitution; Tue condition
of the body has much to do with and much influence
ever the moral state The animal appettes, passions
and pIOpensities gwen to us Tor needfu, vital p9f
poses for our enghening and our comfort are cnt
VsUed by to such extent TO become their mas
These persons then become slaves 70 animal de-
appettes, thus created and cultivated men are some
times driven 70 thoughts language and acts that are
debasng, disgusting, and even criminal From sympa-
Ihy good fellowship TO crafty friends TO please Mrs
nifty may indulge in little wine or beer, apparently
harmless. The animal appetite begins its unnOuced
sstabs6es It's Eresst6e reign over our cOnsu-
Non and becomes the imperous law Then at ITS pleas
are, dyets us Of some OF the attributes OF morality;
conscience is weakened sometimes suspended No nice
and even offended, and We may be criminal.
THE ETHICS DYsPEPsIA AND SICKNESS
There other sensuaiues that are occasionally
developed 10 lead wrong, regardessuess OF
the law, TO deeds of crime These crimes proceed
directly from the animal organization. In manifold
the state OF the body cOrruDs the senslbities.
perverts the understanding, oblerates the moral sen
ments, parayzes conscience ana leads ns 10 thoughts
and conversation, TO purposes and acts that We would
disease who naturally amable, generous, and
just become irritable selfish, exacting The condition
OF dstur0s the Judgment Wheh TINS power s easy ana
well nOunshed We in harmony with the
social relations, of the worlds purposes and
of duty our heart is warm, our Judgment
nervous system may be excited the temper nihaned,
irritable and suspicious. The natural ana haAudl dis
examinations Of right and OF the fitness Of things,
and Of proprety, may be obscurrd ana we become se-
hsh, eXactDg, unjust This world recognizes Ibls hn
ence Of the stomach the nervous system and the
Judgment. Mr. Jones employed many men. lie was
ordinarily clearheaded wise and just but was some
smes dyspeptic. Visiting the .wOrkmen soon after his
nornng meal he found many things apparently wrong
He found much fault, scOldcd and gave new directions
and went away 10 other scenes OF varied business Tue
men without CHANGING their course OF work SIMPLY sa1
guessed Mr. JUess breakfast did not set well and
went on as they 1ad before Toward noGo, Mr. Jones
returned and found all gong on satisfactorily. he
praised the for their improved faithfulness and
method OF labor. The change was not IN them or their
work, DJi Ia ls stomach ana consequently ID MS temper
and judgment
INFLUENCE OF DRUNKENNESS AND INSANITY.
One pnts alcohol into the stomach The brain becomes
excited the mind its balance, the heart is exhla
rated He fails 10 recognize the wonted law Of pro
priety social and personal relations he becomes silly,
cross. He may be perverse, ABUSIVE ana Vlolate any
DecalOgue. He lose sight OF Justice aud
honesty. He may swear iie cheat hght ana even com
nit the grOSser crimes some designing leaders III
crime, when they wish their hestating accom-
plices "a the performance OF deeds OF desperation 1eed
tnem with TuIn brandy or Other aicOhOIc sumuaht 10
neurze their conscience ana inhame their courage 10
the work of wickedness. Visiting the state Prison at
CharlestOwn lew years ago on no iday the Deheyo
lent warden asked me TO among the cOnyicts and
hear their stories aud complaints found them
very sOciable and glad TO talk OF themselves
They told me freely Of their apd the
crimes that brought Them 70 the prison large portion
that when they committed their crimes they were
nnder influence OF alcohol that cOuded their Of
duty impcDed them 20 their acts Of violence VI dis
one may have bodily disorder OF the stomach. lungs
heart or general fever. Tue brain may follow ia the
train disturbance. Then the sufferer may be Violent
Inlsunderstand. fight destroy life. Dryen by his In
sane impulse he steal not for the acquisition or
property but IOr the mere love OF stealing and take
what he does want and cannot use, aud Will throw
away or give away tue next moment SO the condition
OF The animal body affects the moral sentiments. IL may
disturb our notions Of right and wrong weaken