The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-03-27
The Great Robbers.

The robberies that have in latter times
astonished the country Tor their magnitude,
as we'll as the wonderful skill and cunning
displayed by the robbers. should command
the especial attention Of lawmakers and Of
those who enforce laws. Is it not possible
to provide more efficient means for the de-
lection and punishment Of crime? A great
deal OF distress and trouble come from these
heavy robberies. The losers are in many
cases mere depositors, whose losses fall
heavily upon them, and who are often un-
able to recover from their distresses.
The nature OF most OF the robberles
shows that there must be some new rene
dies in law and police. 1t has become ap-
parent that no amount OF precaution-no
strength Of resistance in machinery-can
keep property secure. Combinations are
effected that are sure to be successful in
spite Of precauticn. Either some way to
put greater check upon these combina.
lions or to increase the severity OF punish
ments, and thus the more to deter men from
committing them, must be found out and
adopted.
The large amounts that have been stolen
admoniSh the country OF the increased dam
ger from the burglar. Every burglary that
reaches tens and hundreds Of thousands
dignifies the business OF burglary and tempts
others to adopt the trade as a way to for
tune. Not only this, but combinations
amongst those who hold positions of trust
are suggested, aud thus property is rem
dered less secure. In proportion as the
amounts successfully stolen are increased
is the number OF the burglars community
increased. And this community is found
to embrace both those who are trusted with
the care and guardianship of property and
those who are set to watch robbers, and to
arrest them and bring them to punishment.
The world begins to find out that clemen-
cy and forbearance with criminals is amis.
take, and that severity is the true policy.
Now the big rogues, with their large means,
find their way to men who exert powerful
influence upon the administration of the law,
and many are they who thus escape through
those legal meshes which never fail 10 tor hoio
fast lesser criminals. There is great oe-
moralization in the temple OF justice IN TINS
way. The country needs check upon this
course of justice. There never was time
in this land when SO many rogues went
unwbipt OF iustiss and when the communi-
ty OF rogues was so great because OF the
impuuity which crime has found.
The wbipping-post is the best OF all the
protectors OF order and OF property. We
suppose that in this age Of goodness and
tenderness the range:of capital punishment
cannot be enlarged. But there Is certainly
no difficulty in extending the social adyan-
tages Of the Whippin We believe
that the administration Of sound thrash.
ing 10 one Of these big burglars would do.
more to put an end TO his pursuit than i'm
prisonment OF any kind, and We earnestly
recommend this treatment TO all burglars,
iirrespectiys Of grade OF their exploits,
imprisonment would be immeasnrably ef-
fsetige tempered by the oecaaio nal mild
ness Of q gentle aage liati ion. Bnrglars who
est MP 10 thets oIlsands BECOME gent ssae,s.
\ fheys are proud and arnbi tioas of Fiaing iii