The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-22

MIR. Charles III. Reeve OF plymouth Is
we'll known throughout the state and TO
very considerable extent beyond It's
boundaries, as a clear and original think
or and a vigorous and powerful writer up
on political, social and legal questions.
For q number OF years Mr.. Reeve has been
an occasional contributor 10 THE SENTINEL,
and his letters published in this journal
from time 10 time have covered wide
range OF topics, all OF which have been
treated with great intelligence andability.
In n book published eomo months ago en-
titled THE Prison Question:" which
should have received earlier attention
from THE SENTINEL, Mr.. Reeve discusses
in broad and philosophical spirit, and
with iullness OF knowledge, depth OF
insight and vigor OF language, some
OF the greatest problems OF civiliza-
zion. His book IL described on tho title
page ns IA theoretical and philosophical
review OF some matters relating 10 crime,
Tsnishmont, prisons and the reformation
Of convicts, with glance at mental,
social and political conditions and some
suggestions about causes and the prevon-
ton Of crime and tho production OF
criminals" II IL designed, says the
writer, "to show how society may protect
itself against the disorderly elements and
check the rapid increase OF the prison pop
ulation," and tho keynote TO the argu-
ment IL found in this sentence "All OF
our efforts will fail unless we adapt our
methods 10 the operation OF natural
orces"
4 This book is n very important one and
deserves the careful attention OF thinking
men and women the country over. 10
treats tho great problems OF vice and
crime in n broad and statosmanlike spirit,
and while many of the propositions are
20 radical rs 10 be startling, they are en-
forced with such cogentreasoning and pre-
scented in such iorcible English that they
can not fail 10 impress the mind of tho
dispassionato reader, even II tho argu-
ments offered in their behalf do not en-
tirely convince. Mr.. Reeve takes n
comprehensive view OF his subject.
lie inquiries into the sources Of vice and
crime. lie describes the manner in which
they are propagated and perpetuated. He
reviews the agencies by which it is sought
90 restrict orsuppress them. He analyses
the penal systems in vogue, and shows
wherein they are illogical and ill-adapted
10 the ends which they are designed TO
accomplish. He points out the i'm
provements which reason and ex-
perience dictate in these systems. He
shows in what regards the management OF
our penal and reiormatory institutions is
l.G a - a - Ir.t,r1,t o.,
higher standard Of efficacy. lie emu
merates many evils and abuses which pre-
vail in these institutions and shows how,
in many ways. they tend TO foster
the very ills they are intended
20 ameliorate. He favors the sys-
tenn of indeterminate sentences, which
has been introduced in various states with
good results, the rigid separation during
restraint of the different classes OF of
tenders and the abolition OF the death
penalty so long as the social conditions
now existing obtain.
But Mr.. Reeve goes dee,er than this
into the question OF crime and criminals.
He aims rather at destruction than az re-
striction; rather at prevention than at
punishment or reformation. Reiormers,
he says, have "dealt with results rather
than causes, while, in fact, the answer TO
the prison question must be found in the
causes OF the conditions rather than in
the conditions" Again:
It must now be conceded that demand for
inquiry into the causes, and means for their re-
nova, enters more largely into the prison
question than does any other; aud until that
tnquiry receives the attention a true reform
demands and makes necessary, the prison
question will not be solved nor will any actual
advance be made OF permanent character in
reform; that is, a reform that aids in removing
the cause while ameliorsting the resulting con-
ditons. There can be no permanent reform of
any evil while the cause Of the evil sought TO
be reformed remains in operative force.
The remedy which Mr.. Reeve proposes
is drastic one. He proposes to regulate
marriages, and TO prohibit, under severe
penalties, all persons who do not come up
to certain physical. mental and moral
standards from entering into them.
Liberal extracts from his chapter on mar
riage, which are appended, embody the
main features OF his argument upon this
point:
'"rhe legitimate objects of marriage are
70 establish and maintain an orderly and
moral relation between the sexes, and
make provisions tor the proper nurture
and protection of the offspring that may
follow that relation to prevent promis-
cuous commerce between the sexes and
the debasing consequences attendant; to
create home circles, close domestic rela-
tions, and the foundation for social condi-
tions that are elevating in influence, and
admit of limited action for the preserva-
ton Of morality and liberty.
THE state has taken charge OF the sub
ject Of marriage and undertakes TO regu-
late il by statute; declares il a civil con-
tract between man and a woman; how
IL may be made and how annulled; what
the personal and property relations as be-
tween the parties, and the personal and
legal obligations as 10 each other, their
offspring, society and the state shall be,
during life, at separation, and in case Of
death. 1t allows only one existing con-
tract and authorizes judicial officers and
ministers of the church to perform the
ceremony. 1t requires states license to
be taken out, fixes the conditions for
license, levies a tax for its issue, requires a
record TO be kept OF the license and the
certificate of the officer as to the cere-
mony under il. In certain cases of minor
ity il requires sworn statements as TO age
and consent of parent or guardian. 1t
prohibits marriage between certain per-
sons, declares marriage void in certain
cases, and exercises complete control and
jurisdiction over the persons and subject