The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-20

The figures OF arrests for homicide are
not given In this report. the changes OF
grade OF that crime made by the Penal Code
rendering accurate comparison impossible.
But the number OF those killed by others
with premeditated criminal intent is less in
New York than it was ten years ago, and
less in proportion to the population than 1t
was twenty or thirty years ago. There has,
of course, been considerable increase in
the number OF arrests for petty and venial
offences, and on such charges as vagrancy,
truancy, insanity, mischievous acts OF
Juveniles, and the like This was natural
incident to tho expansion Of the population.
But of the more genuine offences, those
which involve moral turpitude, disregard of
the law, criminal purpose. violence and
force, there has been decided and crafty
ing falling of. The disparity OF last years
figures with those OF 1880 Is most marked
in the case Of women. During the last ten
years many offences, new In their criminal
aspect. have been placed within the jurisdc-
ton OF the courts, and the enforcement OF
certain new ordinances has added to the
number Of arrests. Thus. five times as many
persons were arrested last year as In 1880
for violation Of the Excise law. Several
hundred were brought into court last year
for sabbath breaking" The law making
1t an offence for q person having in his
possession bottles on which the name OF an
owner Is blown has caused some addition to
the total, and registering OF bets on horse
racing. interfering with telegraph poles, and
conducting theatrical entertainments with
out license are responsible for some more.
But while the number of crimes has dimin-
ished. the sums Of money collected as fines
have increased and now furnish quite an
item OF income to the city. The figures are:
Tnea collected In 1880 $53622 in 1884, Ss3 $40 49,
in 1882 s75sa in 1884, $50 355 s5 in 1884 s7esl6; in
1885, s75iso5o; In 1885 s7ss2s; in 1887. Se5e7a5o
in 1854 49, s23; In 1884, sll2,2lo5U."
OF course. these figures, like those OF ar
rests and those published from time to
time exhibiting improved administration
in certain city offices and the reduc-
ton Of debt and of taxation, will be en-
tirely without effect upon the constitutional
believers In absolute municipal depravity.
They will continue to bewail the unfortunate
state OF AFFAIRS to warn and admonish the
citizens OF their terrible dangers, to sign
calls and petitions, to adopt resolutions and
to avow themselves distressed and despair
ing generally. But while there Is undoubt-
eddy much in the administration OF this clty's
affairs which could be amended and i'm
proved, rs indeed is the case In all enter
prises, pursuits or operations conducted by
mortals matters are by no means 30 bad
as they appear to some.
And 1t Is significant fact. well worthy of
the observation Of the curious, that the less
q man knows about the city Of New York, its
people, their government and their wishes,
the more ardent he is as reformer. and that
90 soon as he acquires knowledge In these
matters no turns his back upon the profess
Aional ranks and becomes a plain. unpreten-
uous, and patriotic citizen and voter.