Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-22
A STARTLING STUDY.
Why Are There More Young Crimi-
nails Now Than Ever Before?
MORE MARCH JUVENILE TRIALS
In the Courts Than Could be Counted Up
in Five Years Back.
is IT DUE TO MURDERERS ESCAPES;

gheny county," the study of murder statis-
tics will startle thousands who, to maintain
selfish comfort, never look on the dark side
of the picture. The last man hanged in this
city was poor colored fellow, who had no
money of consequence to use in his defense,
and he was sent to glory before the old jail
was torn down, which was several years ago.
Since then between 30 and 100 people have
been tried for murder, and there have been
many murders committed within the county
for whom no one has been tried. In this
respect it would seem that criminals know
better how to work the telegraph and other
supposed thief-catching appliances than do
the authorities.
Squire Patterson, who has been in the
Quarter Sessions Court about all the time
since the close of the Mexican War, OBJ
serves that, about S5 years ago, when Dave
Jewel was hanged for committing what
would now be regarded as a rather trivial
ofense-murdering man in heat OF blood
this county was so excited over 1t that
the trial and final scene were an actual
hindrsnce to the prosecution OF business.
People at that time took an interest in each
IT DISCOUNTS A MURDER.
Now trial for assault and battery, where
the parties are in any manner prominent,
will draw more people to the lobby OF the
Criminal Court than will the trial of an or
binary murderer. There must be something
dramatic, or at least out of the usual order,
TO draw. Stick a pin there, reformers.
The people who furnish business for the
criminal courts will not read tracts; and are
not likely to get any good out of them if
they do.
1t has been remarked by some observers
that the faces Of the colored brother and
sister have been unpleasantly often ex-
hibited in the Quarter Sessions of las
years; but this is not to be wondered at
much, as this being a labor center, tough
citizens among the colored population
round about are drawn here more largely
than usual of late, aud frequently get into
trouble before they are assimilated. The
contrast has not been so marked of late as
during the December session.
But the most painful part of the picture
presented is the spectacle of so many boys
who are tried nowadays. Squire Miles
BRYAN saws there have been more boys tried
for crimes of nearly all grades this term
than during all the previous time he has
been connected with the court. The boy
Draper who was sentenced for murder on
Saturday, was under 20 years Of age. There
were, it is true, extenuating circumstances
in his case but it would seem that he had
used his "pop'' without caring to inquire
very closely whether he was or was not in
danger.
ARE OLD ONES REFORMING?
In view of the general juvenility of
offenders, one is tempted to inquire whether
more mature criminals are reforming, or
have they acquired skill to escape the law?
You can depend on it, in most cases that a
bows mother, if he have one, will be in
court to say good word for him, and Judge
Magee is certainly 'affording all the room
for reformation that it is possible for him 20
give. Most of the boys have so far been let
off with sentence suspended over their
heads; but it v7ill probably be bad for them
if they get back again. In some instances
the payment of costs is probably sufficient
punishment for parents who may have been
Euilty of contributory negligence in the care
and education of the boys.
Now this Juvenile depravity does not
grow out of the immediate use of whisky,
though much of it may be the result of the
fathers having eaten sour grapes; possibly,
mothers also.
Ex-Warden Smith, whose connection with
the Jail for quarter of a century, makes
him authority, also notes that more youths
have been on trial in the Criminal Court
this March session than in any fve-year
period previously.
Without attempting to discuss the matter,
it may be pertinent>to remark that, in the
opinion of many intelligent and observing
people, the diffusion of a modicum of edu-
cation has not been followed by the results
anticipated. While it is true that the cities
present more numerous and more alluring
vices to youth than does the country, yet in
the cities the schools are so far superior that
one might expect to note some improvement
in morals resulting; but such is not the
case.
ABNORMAL RURAL CAGES.
Though the county districts develop
here and there monster of frightful mien,
such cases are abnormal, while in the cities
they seem to be a common product.
1t is probable most people will argue that
the treatment must be prophylactic. S. f.
O'Brie1, Humane Agent takes this view,
and he can give instance upon instance
where reforms have been effected through
the agency of the society in ferreting out
causes of crime. Discomfort is prolific
source As a rule poor people have too
many children, but they cannot be con-
verted to Malthusianism, and the sporadic
cases indicating a crude tendency in that
direction, which develops in the Crimi-
nal Court from time to time prove
nothing. Were the doctrine of the human
population restrictionist to prevail, it ism t
likely that the cause of morality and conse-
uuent happiness would be forwarded.
Neither tract nor evangelistic work of any
kind reaches these people, and it is extreme
Iv doubtful whether they can be made to
admire the self-denial that sends millions
to the Senegambians, ETC., while squalol
and crime fatten on conditions produced by
ignorance snd sharp competition in the
labor market.
These boys are not all the children of
foreigners. AS rule their faces are large
ly composed of the distinctive American
type which few. perhaps, can linn, but
which almost everyone recognizes at a
glance. Mothers tears are wasted on the
young imps as they stand in the prisoners
dock, and as they have no fear of being
furnished with wings by the hangman there
is no chord that can be touched.
That ''ounce of prevention" ought to be
applied promptly.