Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-02-25
Massachusetts Bureau Of Statistics.

rate history of strikes In that state for the
last fifty years, their location, cause and re-
suits, the occupation and nativity of the
strikers, with conclusions. This part, II
carefully studied by the working men and
employers Of Massachusetts,, cannot fail to
be of great use to them as well as to the
general public.
The second part is devoted to convict la
Dor, in consequence Of an opposition that
sprang up in Massachusetts, to the supposed
injurious influence of such labor upon several
important industries. Colonel Wright has
collected the statistics of all the penal insti-
lions in the United States aud made many
valuable comparisons. The result has been
to satisfy even the most determined oppo-
nents Of convict labor of the injustice Of
their complaints, and to give the public a
great deal of valuable information concern
ing the penal institutions of the whole ma
ton. Colonel Wright concludes that 1--WE
have not yet reached the right methods for
treating crime" lie believes working
men are more affected directly and indi-
rectly by the presence of crime itself than
by all the labor performed by convicts."
He favors graded prisons and intermediate
sentences for class of criminals, while the
incorrgible should receive special treatment.
The third part of the report is devoted to
statistics of crime in Massachusetts, for the
last twenty years. 1t gives the offences and
number of sentences for each by counties for
the several years, and aggregates; also CLASH
fication of offences, with increase or decrease
in numbers and percentage for each year as
compared with the year 1860. Sentences
for drunkenness and all other liquor offences
are given in full aud carefully classified.
Criminal statistics are aualzyed. High crimes
in that and other states are compared
in tables, the criminal legislation during
the twenty years given, and its bearing
on the statistics shown. The influence of
intemperance on crime is considered. Sixty
per cent of all the sentences for the period are
found to be directly attributable TO the use
or illegal sale of liquor. This includes the
sentences for the violation of the liquor law
in various forms. The bureau is now carry
ing on an elaborate investigation in Suffolk
county TO ascertain the exact influence Of
rum in the remaining forty per cent of con-
victions.
| We have been greatly interested in the
facts brought out in regard to the in
crease of crime in Massachusetts during the
last twenty years. The popular impression
is that crime is on the increase everywhere.
But it certainly is not in Massachusetts in
proportion to the increase of population.
The number of penal offences in the statutes
of Massachusetts, is very large, and increas-
ing with the advance of society. But the
report says "the whole body of crime
eliminating essentially liquor. causes, but
including all else, even the most aggravated
crimes-shows an increase during the most
unfavorable period of our history as a state
in this respect of but 90 per cent, while
the population has advanced 50,4 per cent.
The high crimes of murder and manslaughter
have not increased with the population,
while embzzlement and breaking and enter
ing have outrun the population in their in
crease" Several valuable diagrams illus
trate this subject of crime.
The fourth part, of thirty-seven pages, is
devoted to divorces in Massachusetts from
1860 to 1878 inclusive. The more complete
elaboration and publication of this part OF
the report is stated to be due in part to the
interest in the subject growing out of the facts
given by the VERMONT CHRONICLE, and
which also appeared in the WATcHMAN,
nearly year ago. The statistics vary in a
few cases, only slightly, however, from those
printed in the CHRONICLE owing to the
fact that second examination was made
to verify the results of the first, which we
used. These are given by years and by
counties, by statute causes, the sex of the
| libellant, and the marriages and RATIO of di-
vorces to marriages, in the most complete
tables ever printed in this country on d.
vorces. The value of the report is greatly
enhanced by clear and full history of the
divorce laws of Massachusetts for hundred
years, with an analysis of the statistics from
the pen of Mr.. Sindey Andrews, gentleman
who has given much attention to the SUBJ
| ject. Divorces in Massachusetts run from
two hundred and forty-three in 1860 to six
hundred in 1878, aud the ratio of divorces
to marriages has increased from l to 81
in 1860 to to 2l.4 in 1878. The greater
part Of the variations from year to year
care merely natural effects resulting from
changes of law as a cause" The report
concludes "the hard facts are, that while
tile marriage rate has sensibly decreased
within the last twenty years, notwithstand-
ing our increase in population, the divorce
rate has considerably more than doubled
within the same period" We are sure that
Colonel Wright will be warmly thanked by
all good citizens for this invaluable chapter
on divorce. 1t will probably renew the grow
ing interest in Massachusetts in this social
evil and its remedy.
We should like to speak at length of the
last parton the social life of workingmen
but our space forbids. 1t is very inter
esting and suggestive But we will rather
say that we wish Vermont could either have
a bureau of statistics, or else some other
provision by which valuable facts could be
collected and printed concerning our own
state more fully than is now the case. Oul
secretary of state could be required to take
charge of the collection and printing of the
statistics of crime, and perhaps of the in
dustries, the state Of course providing the
means and force necessary. Or, might We
not have in New England cooperation
bureau Let the other states join Massa
chusetts in supporting her efficient bureau
Some such plan might be made, unless 1
national bureau be established. We ar,
sure it would pay well. The Massachusetts
bureau must repay many times its cost il
saving TO the industries of that state. W,
may speak again Of this point, as well as o
the report itself.
IRISH RELIEF.-Congress has finally votec
to authorize the secretary Of the navy I,
furnish free transportation for all provisions
contributed for the relief of furnishing Ire
land. The New York Heraid's subscription
has already gone beyond 100000. Two hun