The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-07-08

son give more value 10 lnc CONCLUSIONS
that may be drawn from them. The crimi-
nal statistics recently published in London,
under official authority, furnish not only
reliable figures as to the number of crimi
nails, the character and degree of the crimes
committed, but the particular offences,
which constitute for the most part the
crimes of professional criminals, are tabu-
lated, so that the increase of diminution for
particular periods is shown. The average
of such offences for the ten years ending
with 1871 was upwards of 10000 The
number actually committed for the last
year was over 1000. The number of
commitments for these offences has also
decreased, and as the comparison is made
on statistics gathered from all of England
and Wales, the area is sufficiently extern
sivc TO establish the deduction that the
policy of putting habitual offenders and
their associates under special liabilities, has
been successful, to some extent, in pre-
venting and REFRESHING professional crime.
The distinction that the English system
makes between the professional and occa-
sional criminal is, that orc is tempted into
crime by sudden opportunity or forced
thereto by some great need, whilst the
other makes it his business, pursues it with
skill and energy, and is known as one who
lives by depredations on society. Houses
are established in which its members meet,
quarters in which they live, where soci-
ETY. of interest throws around them Il pro-
lection of general watchfuness, and estab-
lishcd appliances and means by which they
can dispose of their plumber. The pro-
fessonal criminal is at once the most
dangerous and the most difficult TO reform
of all classes of criminals Robbery and
murder is a regular trade which they have
learned, which even repeated punishment
for the offence will not induce them to give
up In the debates in the English parla-
mcnt. an instance was stated in which the
keeper of certain Jail had noted the quick
ness ability and general good disposition
Of n particular prisoner in his charge. The
prisoners time Of sentence was drawing to a
close and his liberation soon to take place.
The warden asked him about his intentions
and his prospects, rendering him his kindly
Offices of assistance. by way Of putting him
in the way Of some honest business where
by he might gain living. The man de
clncd his proi'cr of aid and avowed with
ont the least disguise, his intention of at
once resuming his old profession lie
deemed robbery rs an allowable pursuit
led him in that direction When the day
of his liberation came the jailer, with Il
full knowledge of his purpose. sent him
forth again having no option but to let
loose upon society a man who openly avow-
his purpose TO live by preying upon it.
The professional criminal is the most
dangerous to society. there is the compen-
satng fact that this class is the best known
to the officers of the law, and therefore
more liable TO apprehension provided
authority is given to arrest and punish the
criminal, not only for some particular
offensc but because he is known to be AZ
habitual criminal. The acts recently passed
! by the English parliament, proceed ON tho
| principle that inideicnse Of society the law
may act in certain cases on well established
presumption instead of legal evidence, that
crimes are to be prevented rs well as pun
ished and that it is not unreasonable tC
prefer the protection of the community t.
the convenience Of the criminal Thu,
a policeman secs two notorious thieves
| lurking about at n time and place whicl
leaves no room for doubt as t,
their design, lie arrests them In The
| punishment of one of this class the mum
Der of oifenscs of which he has been con
vcted is always the subject of inquiry
and generally the basis of punishment.
first oIfcnsc is often never repeated, but
second conviction is nearly always followe,
by a third, and thus the fixed professional
character of the offender is assumed.
The very wide notions that prevail il
this country as to the sacredncss of per
sonal liberty are in the way of our accept
ing the English policy which allows ap
pearances to stand in the place of specific
evidence. Many if not most oOthe hab
itual offenders in our large cities ar
known to the police, but if arrested OF
simple suspicion there is no force in on
law TO punish or even dctain him. TIL
American law recognizes the rights of in
dividual citizens as well as those of SO
ciety, but when repeated offences ar
shown he is required TO surrender or holt
upon doubtful tenure the liberty he ha
abused.