New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-08-25
4 sTuDY OF CRIMINAL TYPES.
The Character of Greater Importance
than the Act-Relation Between
Insanity and Crime.

than the Act-Relation Between
Insanity and Crime.
The current number of Science con-
tains a statement by Prof. Joseph Jas
trow. of the Johns Hopkins university.
s. the theory of criminality PROFOUND
% in the Nouvelle Revue May, 1886, by
Dr.. Lombroso, a representative of a
number of scientific men in Italy who
for the last few decades have devoted
themselves to careful study of crimi-
nal types. Their point of view is a
strictly scientific one-they regard a
crime as the expression of a dangerous
trait of character. The character is
more important than the act. More
over, the criminal is not a spontane-
Gus, capricious product; he does not
stand alone, but belongs to class.
Thus the anthropology of the criminal
classes becomes distinct object of
study. Again, criminality is essential
ly a morbid phenomenon, and is de-
feet analogous to insanity or idiocy.
In this aspect the criminal is psychol-
ogical study. To characterize the spir-
it of this movement in a few words,
one may say that it lays stress on the
criminal rather than on the crime.
In general one may recognize three
types or causes of the outbreaks
against the social order-physical, So
cial, and anthropological. Among the
first may be mentioned climate. In the
Argentine Republic the sharp changes
of temperature favor revolutionary
character in the inhabitants. The sea-
son of year influences the amount of
crime; crime predominates in the warm
months. OF 1872 revolutions in Europe,
the months of June and July have the
largest share; November and January
the smallest. So, too, heat is a factor.
Southern countries Italy, Spain, and
Greece-have the largest number of
revolutions; northern countries-Rus-
STA, Sweden, and Norway the
least. Geographical position and other
physical causes could be added, AS So
cial causes DR.. Lambroso regards the
struggle for supremacy among the va
rious social castles or classes; dishar-
mony between the existing civilization
and the prevailing economic condi-
tons; an opposition between the politi-
cal forms and the national feeling and
needs. Such are the more constant oc-
casions Of revolutionary outbreaks as
shown in history. Mere accidental cir
cumstances, such as the appearance of
a great leader or writer, must also be
considered.
Finally, the following are the promi-
nent anthropological causes: The CO.
existence Of races not really assimi]at-
ed, with, perhaps, a tendency to politi-
cal changes, hereditary anomalies of
character, such as criminality and NOR
al insanity, or acquired anomalies, as
alcoholism and insanity. All these go
to form three classes-criminals by he
redty, by habit, and by mental dis
ease. These have furnished the subject
matter to the new science Of criminal
anthropology.
One must not suppose because these
criminals are classed under the insane
they will not be active in political
crimes, for though they may be men Of
small intellect, yet the absence of the
restraining power OF a well-developed
moral sense makes the bridge between
thought and action shorter and smooth
er. A mere fanciful conception of posi-
bic crimes will take so strong a. hold
on their minds that the act itself will
follow. More sensible and rejecting
criminals would be repelled by the con-
fences and dangers of the act. In
addition to this class of criminals, WHO
become breakers of the peace simply
because that happens to be the most
accessible method of venting their per-
verse instincts, there is another class
who are led on by q wild passion for
the destruction of the old and the crea-
ton of something new They need rest
less activity; their present condition
seems the worst possible. AS rule,
too, they are very fond of notoriety,
They are in love with crime. The pain
OF others is a keen satisfaction to them;
its horror attracts them. The French
revolution shows such types. Lejeune
made little guillotine and used it on
the chickens destined for his table.
Jean d'Heron wore human ear in his
cockade on his hat, and had Others in
Ills JOChCCS. SdlI1cI COultSSCO UlldG VIC
writings of the priests whom he con-
demned to torture gave him exquisite
pleasure.
The modern anarchists, socialists,
and dynamiters no doubt contain an
element of these hereditary criminals,
who use the political object as mask
for their. instructive tendencies to law
less outbreaks. The socialistic and the
criminal types of face present strong
resemblances- In some cases the intro
duction of such criminal element
transforms purely political organize
ton into band of outlaws; the Mollie
Maguices are an example of this.
All these facts urge the study of
these defective classes Society has a
right to defend itself against these enc
mics of all peace and progress. But
the punishment must be directed to the
removal of the evil. The born criminal
can readily be detected; the craniologi-
cal peculiarities, the absence of moral
sense, the reckless cruelty of his deeds
point him out. The treatment of these
must aim at removing all opportunities
of indulging their passions, for meet