The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-04-19
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?

1t is very fashionable nowadays to talk
of criminal classes. 1t is not at all surpris-
ing that such should be the case. But, I'M
fortunately for society, those who talk most
about the criminal classes ignore certain
fundamental facts and confne their investi-
cations to localities. which, though furnish
ing the largest number of candidates for the
Penltentiary, do not furnish specimens of
the most dangerous class Of rascals, II is
very we'll for the police to arrest vagabonds,
poor miserable sneak thieves, men who steal
to live, but there are others who never get
within the clutches of the police, never APP
pear in the Mayors Court, but who are new
ertheless thieves who steal moro in an hour
than the sneak thief gobbles in a lifetime.
These gilded rascals rob banks
They are representatives of what
is styled the first families.
They have influence, rich relations, social
standing-advantage which the sneak thief
is deprived of. These cultured robbers are
seldom punished. The law seems to have
been made for the punishment of pygmyan
scoundrels-thieves who steal upon small
scale-while aristocratic, educated and re-
fined robbers go scots free. Atone time you
hear that bank has been wrecked then a
mercantile firm tumbles. Again, a public
official defaults, and so on. Those who
know of these robberies keep silent; or if
they speak at all, 1T is in whisper. AS a
result, the big thief either has his depreda-
tons condoned or is permitted to make
good bis fight to place of security. The
pable leniency upon society is al
together demoralizing. They bring
the law into contempt, and create
suspicious anything but favorable for the
public welfare. indianapolis has had her
full share of such delinquencies, and inno-
cent people are made to pay penalties for
misplaced confidence, which creates wide
spread distrust. 1t can not he assumed that
the laws are defective. They 90 not make
distinctions. In the eye of the law a thief
is a thief, but can it be said that & q sty is as
good as the laws? DO representative men
and women treat the man who steals
thousands with the same severity as is
melted out 10 the poor devil who steals a
coat or side of bacon? If it does not, will
some moral philosopher please state either
in full or approximately to what extent
society is responsible for crimes in high as
well as in low places To what extent is so
ciety, by its foolish fashions. sowing
broadcast the seeds of vice, Isn't the Church
itself full of pride and ostentation? Does it
not go in debt for outward show and iRte-
rior adornments, at war with the simple
precepts of the Gospel? Does it not have its
aristocratic seats and its pauper benches? Is
it not the home of fashion and frivolity?
Does it not set examples the tendency of
which is to create false ideas of life? Evil
IDENTIFY there is a want of sturdy convictions,
and it is only necessary to observe with what
facility gilded rascality escapes punishment
to be convinced that the body social is in a
large degree responsible for crimes in thigh
life" and for the immunity from penalties
which certain criminals enjoy. When soci-
ETY. determines that opulent rascality shall
be stripped of its trappings and be subjected
to the same ordeals as befall ragged viIlainy,
special benefits will accrue. Till then
chronicling defalcations, ETC., will be in
order.