The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-03-30

GxttO - A. " ca ] ~ u u v
t9cUives can tell them anywhere by taeir
gait, appearance. and the furtlye glancaS of
their eyes. When the released crooks go
back to their old hauntS, :hev find their
chums waiting for them, full of plans for
the future. As a rule they get to work at
their old business before they have been re
leased forty-eight hours. They NAV man
ago to stav out of prison two years, but that
does not often happen.
While | was here two instances occurred
of lurglars discharged by ne in the morn
ing and arrested for burglary in the evening
of the same day They did not even go
home before they began TO practice their
professions anew, after just serving a long
term as punishment for previous perform
ances.
The gross selfishness. the coarse extrava-
gance, and the greed of criminals, make it
aim st impossible for them to lead honest
lives. They have passion for gambling,
they love the excitement of faro and rou-
lette; they must have money TO spend on
women; their avarice is a craze, a disease
Friends of "Sfeeney" Mike used to say Of
hin-and l believe they speak the truth
"If Mike had $lO0. 900 and saw chance to
steal $40, he would go for the SO at any
risk" He could not help it.
| think the wisest thing we can do with
our professional criminals is to shut them
up for life after they have served three
terms for felony, II they won't earn an hon
est living.
The time to reform criminals is at the
beginning of their career If a Ooy who
stole and fell into the hands of the police
for the first time was sent to prison for
wear and worked very hard for six weeks;
then released, with the remainder of his
term hanging over him, to be added to any
future sentence he might get if he did not
keep straight, think it would frighten him
and do some good but usually youn-
criminals are treated with such great ten
derness that they grow to ridicule prisonsg
As they advance in crime they become
prison-proud. They boast of having done
time in this aud that state, just as men
boast of having been all over the world
would be severe on young criminals, and
try to brighten them into behaving them
selves, and, failing in that, would shut
them up for life.
In all my experience | only know of one
single case of genuine reformation by a
hardened criminal, either man or woman.
Too much fuss is made over the convict
anyhow, aud too much money is scent TO
make him comfortable and reform him. He
does not want it, and he laughs at the phi
lanthropists. JOHN GREEN.
NEW YoRKs CELEBRATED CRIMINAL
LAWYER.
The desire of the man who has oncs been
a criminal to keep from the public the
knowledge of his former degradation sup
presses many affecting stories of genuine
reformation, which sh NV that no mans case
is hopeless until he dies. The play which
was produ cd here under the name of "rhe
Ticket-of- Leave Man. sets forth fully, faith
fully and tellingly the difficulties which
bristle in the path of Il convict who desires
to reform
Years ago in this city, Eddy Dunphy,
professional pickpocket and perfect adept
a. his trade, after spending some years ia
state prison, determined to reform. He oh
taired employment as a detective at the
Hotel Brighton, and there earned laurels of
approval from his employers aud thanks
from guests whose persons and property he
protected. He is dead now, but be has left
good name behind him. He was faithful,
homes, and fearless to the end. There is
another whose name | will not mention. as
he is laboring and living close to this office,
where | write. He was piclIpocaet VINO
served many years of imprisonment After
his last release he said to the lawyer who
had defended him:
You know that have gained hundreds
o. thousands of dollars by picking pockets.
When | was in funds was able to escape,
but whenever l was poor | was arrested.
Now am released, discharged co vict,
without cent to my name. want to
begin all over again. What ought ! to
dof'
The lawyer said: "You have luxurious
tastes and have been used to spending money
so lavisbly that you could not be contented
with Si5 week.
Indeed would - said the convict.
II will try you" said the lawyer. And
he did try him and the ex-convict is now q
man grown gray in honorable service;
thoroughly Trustworthy and honest, and
highly respected.
know professional burglar--and
very fortunate oue at that. lie escaped
arrest again and again. the prod of his
burglaries he used to gamble and dissipate
At last he was caught. convicted and i'm
prisoned. When he got out he said:
Mr.. Howe, have come to the con-
clusion that what the chaplains say Is about
the truth. The honest way is the best, and
an going TO try to reform. But l have
not dollar, and don't know how ] am
going to live"
A newspaper reporter was present and
heard what the ex-convict said. | suppress
his name because know he would desire it.
Il will start subscription for you" he
said.
He did start the subscription, heading it
with So This man was a Matchmaker by
trade. lie has now jswelry and watcn-
makers store on Third avenue, owns the
house in which he lives, goes TO church reg
ularly and is, / think, a religious man.
These are two well known instances; |
might name many Others.
The idea OF perpetual impris )ament for
professional criminals is barbarous. and
would not consider it for moment. ! can
never bring myself 70 believe in the de-
pravity Of any man. 70 my mind society
should be pateFnal and show o. It's orring
children ch mercy as We ourselves desire
from "A higher power Whas you call
professional criminal can only be- Judged
by his acts up - the present time. Sap
posing he ~ - years u age ami has mode
MS living as thief ever since he was -,
would you say - him:
You are a professional criminal You
shall BE- confined In state prison all tie rest
u tno time that God allo vs. you - dwell on
this earth"
What right las sooisiy 20 limit Gods
mercy and pOweri ~ Toe law stands now,
tiie lnls1msat fog many III snses II piAc g.
cally Imp-is0n uent for ne, aud fhiuk IL is
wr1ng aud bsrbar)us, AMI worthy only %