Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1886-08-01
LEGAL CRlMlNALlTY.
Ertrdct from Gronl,mds "Co-operatire
Commonwealth"

In former chapters we have Analysed
our economic relations. Let lis now see
how it stands with our integrity and note
the relation there is between it and our
economic system.
First in order come the so-called crimes
against property. Robbery, burglary,
larceny, embezzlement, common swind-
ling, murder and arson, when committed
in pursuit of wealth (and it is only in
that connection we here have to consider
them,) are all acknowledged offences
against Society. And probably no one
doubts that there are more such crimes
committed now than in any former age.
To take one instance as illustrations: For
merchant to become bankrupt was form
erly lifelong disgrace; now bankrupt
cies are SO frequent, that they are con-
sidered mere incidents of cuisines" and
are facilitated by law. 1t may be said
that there are more opportunities for
committing such crimes, but what we
here want to make clear is the simple
fact that these crimes are more frequent
now, in proportion to the population,
than, for instance, during the Middle
Ages-no matter how it comes.
But now we arrive at the first point
that we wish to make. Such practices as
those above mentioned are the only ones
which we of this age stigmatize as crimes:
we call by that name only acts that may
bring their perpetrators into the peniten-
tiary. Ought not, in view of the philo-
sophie definition of fright" and "wrong"
conduct, every grievous offence against
Society be so called? To be sure, in that
case most of the leadc $ of our self-styled
society" may come to be .reckoned as
criminals.
Henry Ward Beecher once told his con-
gregation of merchants, bankers, poll
ticians and SPECTATORS: ''the laws against
larceny have no relations to me. am
on too high plane to be affected by any
temptation to steal" In other words:
'Thank God, that | and you, dear breth-
rem and sisters, are not on a plane with
that rabble that commit crimes against
property"
Dire they on higher plane?
Herbert Spencer has shown, that trade
in England is essentially corrupt and
that there success in business has become
Incompatible with strict integrity. 1t is
certainly not better here. Are the tricks
of trade not offences against Society? Is
commercial cannibalism," as Spencer
calls it, not a crime?
Adulteration of provisions has every
where become social institution. Is
| that not a crime?
Are the traps ingeniously devised by
spectators for the punishment of ignor-
ance in people of small means-are the
corners gotten up in money, stock, wheat
and pork not crimes?
Our late income-tax was repealed for
| the avOwed reason that it could not he
collected, because our rich men were far
more ready to swear falsely than to hand
over small percentage of their vast in
comes. Were these rich men not crimi
mails:
1t is a fact that directors of gigantic
corporations so manipulate things that
the public is taxed heavily to pay divi-
dends on ''watered' stocks. Are these
men less guilty, because powerful?
1t is notorious that our politicians are
corrupt from top to bottom. Even if too
"high-tOned' to debauch voters. in ner-
son, they are ready enough to raise cor
ruption-funds, and never squeamish as to
profitlng by the bribery. Are these Gem
ment citizens on too high a plane" even
according to the ethical code of to-day?
But we shall have to go good deal
farther; zee cannot afford to compromise,
In morals there is no difference between
Legitimate" and illegitimate" offences
against Society. Everyone who pockets
gains Tahom rendering an eqdraleat to
Society is Il criminal.