The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1886-12-16

The Portsmouth Tribune came Gu

recently with an article taking some
what advanced ground though the
same position has been held be some of
the greatest writers in the worlds lit
erature-with regard to repression OF
crime. Assuming that the present
method of Furnishing criminals is not
sufficiently effective in reducing the
extent Of crime, the argument is that
the law should begin with the criminal
classes in infancy, and deal with them
in a manner that would greatly re-
duce, if it would not eventually wipe
out, the species Our opinion Of this
theory is that it is worth nothing ex-
cept to theorize about. 1t would be a
comparatively easy matter to deal with
''the criminal classes if it were posi-
BILE to isolate those classes from all
other possible classes or divisions of
society. In this great country of ours
we are taught that there are no class
distinctions, though we frequently see
studied attempts to inaugurate the
caste idea. We have seen some of the
most worthy Of citizens whose parents
might be placed in the classes styled
"criminal," while we have beheld some
of the most contemplate and persistent
criminals who were the offspring Of
honest, up"ight, Christian parents
Again. we have seen men who had
been criminals, who afterwards became
good and useful citizens. So, where
will you draw the line?
There are families in almost every
community that seem never to get
above certain depth Of degradation
and are blest (?) with numerous and
vigorous progeny. Some of these, it
might seem to many, would do them
selves and the world better service
were some method taken by law to
stop the increase. The Infrmary of
this country has given instances OF
this class of criminals. Abandoned
females have left the institution, rev.
elled in season Of crime and shame,
then returned to the home prepared
by society for the destitute, only to
leave the offspring Of their crime for
the public to keep. If it is practicable
to find and convict the class Of male
animals who engage in this crime, the
Tribune's method might be proftably
employed, even if they have passed
the years of their infancy. There are
other classes who, while living legiti-
mately with their companions, raise
large families only to be kept at the
public expense. Such people gener-
ally waste their evenings in the dog
geries, and in addition to the evil thus
encouraged, expect the public to give
them living which they themselves
waste. This class seems to argue, by
their manner Of living, that the class
should be wiped out. But these are
only the rough places on the pathway
Of life, and must be endured.
We have not much hope Of ever
seeing crime completely stoppsd, in
this world, or of seeing any very neal
approach to such consummation
There has always been crime in the
world, from the conduct Of Lots
daughters, the exhibition Of Noah
the murder Of Uriah by the lust OF
David, the lying Of Peter, from fear
of the Jews, and the betrayal Of the
Savior by Judas, down to the present
time. There were always drunkards
thieves and harlots in the world
though it would have gotten along
much better without them. Possibly
if the ancients had adopted the STYLE
suggested, in dealing with criminals
and their offspring, the latter would
soon have ceased, and the world would
have been better, even unto this day
But who knows9 However, it NIGH
be tried. Let us take a Hypothetical
case: A child is born to poor man
and his lawful wife. Some self-im
portant reformer files complain
against the man as criminal, ant
demands that the infant be visited by
the legal Surgeon. The poor MAJ
proves conclusively that he neve
committed a crime, though he is a
great expense to protect his child
Now suppose his accuser, rich, Of higl
standing, member Of church, if yo,
please, and one universally esteemed
has child born to him. and that mall
infant is arrested by the count.
Sargeon, and brought into court. Th'
rich man at once becomes frantically
indignant at the thought of his chill
being classed with criminals. Blu
the court is determined, and the fathe
is put upon the stand. Hath thi
man committed any crime9" asks th
court. A whispered mo" run
around the circle Of his admirer:
= while weird and fatal "Yes!" well
up from the throat Of an illegitimat
offspring in the arms Of some poo
deluded girl whom the fellow ha
ruined. Now where is your crimins
class?
There's many an honest heart beat
amid the novels of lowly (fe, an
murderoussearts beat beneath gar
of broadcloth. The trouble is to d.