New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-09
THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY.


The first paper of a series on the Relations
OF Women 10 Crime" by Dr. T. Van de waIker, takes for
s starting point the fact that the propensity TO CRIME as
defined by its actual commission Is four times az great III
in women. But this remarkable contrast does
not present view of the relative position OF the
sexes in ths respect TIE propensity to crime Is one
thing, aud its physical expression another Hence 'he
propensity of woman To crime cannot nc measured by its
actual preparation. In crimes against persons, III which
personal strength forms element, there IA phy sc
factor for the difference Tue ratio Of strength between
tine sexes 10 10 &C. and this is found to correspond
the difference in which women and men participate
IN crimes against person and property. Bu; upon close
analysis Of crime this physical basis loses its value as
probable cause In crimes against persons, We find the
sexes approaching 30 aud recedns from common
ratio Hence It appears that the theory OF an Innate eA
Of moral quality in the female sex over the male
faacy. A simple numerical comparison OF lne
prevalence Of CRIME in the sexes will lead to
error, unless we credit women with the FEWER
foundations the less opportunity and tie smaller com
h.tlveless which grows OF the structure OF their
BRAIN Because twelve women 10 one hundred men are
convicted assassination 1t would lie wrong to assert
tiat women represent more than eight tines the moral
ity OF men in relation TO this ornse In all tnc crimes
which in y0lve the taking OF human life, the rato 0f
women 10 men about 80 to 100 1t is evident accord
ingly that womaus tendency crime must be measured
by other st;nda d than innate morality Many ol
wOnans social relations adapted 10 facilitate the
commission OF crime In those crimes whoL grow out Oh
her sexual and social relations she stands upon te same
level as man. Tnus in nfducide and IN poisoning, the
ten icnces are equal In both In regard To the
MINOR degrees Of crime, occupation is an important
factor Toe inadequate pay in many OF the emplJyments
OF women presents a formidable temptation In every
large city there thousands OF women who are but
Just able to obtain the necesares OF life by aborinY
more than bali the hours in the day. twoold ten
denoy 10 crime arises inadequate pay. lt may moi
I,.s an piaut tn uanf ne
may be inadequate 10 supply the personal ado'T-
meuts and comforts which are essential 10 content
men, The lat ter doubtless the principal cause which
crimes against property SO nearly equal III the
sexes among French domesiics The influence of mar
mage upon IN relation to crime Is discussed at
length afoTdng writer opportunity for many apt
and original suggestions Marriage Tor women has
been regarded as preliminary condition 10 REFORM
This is the result OF the sentimeniasm which has er
tered into the solution of many social problems Mar
mage is not mmixed good. Lecky says OF H. that beau
tful aft ctions which had before been latent arc evoked
IN some particular forms of union. while other forms OF
union are particularly fitted 81 deadrn the affections. ana
pervert the character Womtns kcenly emotional na
tue well disposed be exalted depravct by mar
rage II hardly possible TO reach the true causes
Of the nearly negative results Of marriage upon the
morality ny study Of the character of this
sex alone III women, rather than men, are urrorcd the
lights and shadows Of society Mentally ste is tho plastic
material which takes tia form from the protein phases OF
life around her She IL spiritually the resultant OF he
moral atmosphere believe these influences are more
potent in forming her character Than mans, from .he
nature of her dependent circumstances With mans o
portunity for objective life, lie can remove himself
Darty az least from the moral surroundings; and b.
identifying himself both bodily and mcnt ly with Labor
which has it's object usually hing to be attained
In the future. he has O0pholes 10 escape from impress
sons received from Others which with more subjective
life would result in iutrosnecton Ivy which the MUD s
faniliarized with the criminal idea" Among other
articles III this number "Hydroids," by Mrs T. H. Her
rick Insectvorous Plants" by f. H. Leland and "Ihe
Properties OF Protoplasm" by Prof Hac excl VIII be
found to possess exceptional interest brief memoir Of
Dr. H. Charlton Bastian, with portrait will attract the
attention readers who desire to know more OF the
personal history Of that resolute expermeuer On the
origin OF animal life