Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-25

be0u
insertion and classification on the day of publIca-
ton.
Burglary No Crime in Washington.
The recent discovery that In the District OF
Columbia there Is no law whereby men can be
punished for breaking into houses for purposes OF
robbery shows how burglars have neglected their
own interests by failing to organize a trade union.
All over the eountry-even in Missouri and In this
eity-men have been riSking personal liberty by
breaking into banks, stores and residences, while
In Washington they might have pursued their
gentle calling with no law to modest or make them
afraid. There must be plenty or money at Wash
ington, for all men with BIZ jobs on their minds go
there's why, then, should not the burglar go there,
too?-Se,o York Herald
Bless your innocent soul, Mr.. Herald, he does
come here: and he thriyes here, too. In no place
IN the United States has he better field than In
Washington. In no city, either, does he run les,
risk OF being caught than here ION account OF in
adequate police force) and nowhere else does he
have a chance for so light punishment suppose
him once caught and convicted. The statement OF
the Herald that there Is here "no law whereby
men can be punished for breaking into houses for
purposes OF robbery" while it Is literally true
gives very fair idea of the actual situation under
such laws as we have. There are laws against
burglary, but their penalties light that, adj
ministered by tender-hearted judges, they have no
terrors for criminals OF that class The burglar in
Washington reasons this way: 81 may or may not
be caught; may or may not be convicted. ncon-
victed, the odds are In favor of my getting light
sentence. II sentenced, have fair chance for q
pardon, and also chance for escaping, before my
short term OF imprisonment has expired. The
odds are largely in my favor; will take the risk
He takes 1t, accordingly, and In majority OF cases
his Judgment Is justified by the results.
Now, this Is all wrong and it ought be stopped at
once, and forever The nature and the frequent
fatal results OF burglary demand that the punish
ments for that offence should be among the
SevereSt known to the laws. 1t Is q crime that Is
not committed in sudden anger, or on the impulse
OF the moment, as murier sometimes IS Neither
Is it usually committed to aSSuage hunger, as
highway robbery not unfrequentIy Is. 1t Is cold
FLOODED, premeditated, dastardly crime. It Is
commonly planned long beforehand, and generally
with the Intent to commit murder, II necessary to
avoid Identification or arrest. 1t ought therefore
60 be c1asSed AMI punished as a capital offence
But II that be deemed too severe, certainly all viii
agree that the term OF Imprisonment, if not for
lie, Shoul1 be an extremely long one. 1t might
well be twenty years, and In case should the
shortest term be less than ten years. No good has
ever been or ever will be gained by giving the
burglar short term In prison, as may be urged In
behalf If some other criminals. Burglary Is his
profession He has entered upon 1t as his regular
pursuit IN life and he means to follow Ii as long as
he lives. The sooner he is discharged from prison.
the sooner Therefore, does he his career OF
90 his success. Why, then, should he not be
Imprisoned at hard labor for life, and thus made
set-SupP0rtng. Instead or being allowed to prey
upon community?
Congress is generally blamed for the lax laws in
existence i'm the District OF Columbia, and per-
hapS Justly, in many Instances. The real reSpon-
sibility Ia this Particular matter les however
with those having To do with the enforcement and
administrator OF our criminal laws Ii our courts
and police departments would frame proper code
for the protection or the pe0p3 of the District and
recommend its passage ID Congress- there is little
doubt but tht body would promptly enact all that
Is necessary VIII these authorities DO that much
for the safety OF community? II not, why nOte
@
The House has, In pr0vidin- for the mu 'l-noe,ed
increase OF the police fierce. voted to mantain
that clause OF the law which requires the appoint
nentS on the force to De made O! discba rged SOL
dieTs- and sailors. Tie Di5tri,t Commissioners
have earnestly recommended the notification OF
this provision, so to give them discretionary
powers. on the ground that the peremptory re-
quirenent restricted the selection OF policemen to
too narrow . field. The Senate once passed the
modification, but the House defeated it AS rule
the men who served in The army during the REBEL
ion getting too Old now To make ecint peIice-
men. Why this rcstTiotiol III the superintendent
policemen should be fastened upon Washington
any more than other Cities, would probably puzzle
fts maintenance. On account OF the large extent
OF territory TO be patrOled here, and the paucity
OF the force IL is imperatye!y necessary that the
police should be composed OF active, dble-bodied
men, The Commissioners should have the power
TO select the very best men procurabie for the
service, and not be required to make appointments
from class past the prime OF life. This isso mani
fest. that the House could hardly have failed to
adopt the modification giving the Commissioners
discretionary power in the matter but for the fact
that Mr. Robson, with the view or making a little
personal capital, antagonlzed it with buncombe
speech, which brought on a hot political debate
In which the question involved, o. providing for
an efficient police force for the capital city, was
wholly lost sight OF, and 1T was voted down en-
dTely On party lines. Mr.. Robson ought to be
ashamed OF this piece OF clap-trap as he has lived
long enough in Washington ana is intelligent
enough TO understand this matter; and the need
for Increasing the efficiency OF the police force
instead OF Gripping it.
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