The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1891-07-18
WATCHING TIE CROOKS.
eosToNs SYSTEM OF KEEPING TRACK
OF HABlTUAL WRONG DOORS.

What Is Written in the Big Books OF
Pemberton Square--A Perfect EncyeIo-
pedia of Criminal Information-Hard
on the Wicked.
This enlightened metropolis boasts a sys-
tenn of criminal record far more complete
than is possessed by any other city in the
new world, with the possible exception of
San Francisco. Modern experts in such mat
tiers assert that the true secret of effective
police supervision lies in the recognition of
the habitual offender against the law as an
individual 1t is the duty of an effective po-
lice to maintain, so far as is possible, per-
sonal acquaintance with professional wrong
doors, who in this manner only can be kept
satisfactorily under surveillance This OBJ
ject is accomplished in many European
countries by the preservation of elaborate
memoranda concerning every man or woman
who has been convicted of a serious offense.
And even in far off Cathay the wicked are
identified by tie imprint of their thumbs
preserved in India ink upon the police blot
tiers.
Nossystem of that kind exists in this coun-
try, save only in the two cities mentioned
Elsewhere, as in the case in the national me
tropolis it is usual to depend altogether for
the identification of criminals upon the per-
sonal recollections of officers, supplemented
by such photographs as are obtainable. The
most valued men on the force, therefore, are
those who enjoy the most extended acquaint-
ance with the history and physical idiosyn-
crasies of individual Jail birds. Their expe-
rience, however, is Of no permanent benefit to
the department which employs them, since
regarding this knowledge as their stock in
trade--they will never communicate it to
their Juniors and successors in the business
Thus no progress is made in the efficiency of
the service
THE BOSTON METHOD.
On the big books at headquarters in Penn
berton square are written the name, descrip-
ton and history Of every well known crook
in the United States. Already the record is
surprisingly comprehensive, and every day it
is becoming more complete. Whenever any
body is sentenced to prison for crime in this
or any other state the fact is duly entered,
together with descriptive biography of the
person, at the Boston office. In this manner
perfect encyclopedias of criminal informa-
tion is being compiled.
Suppose, for instance, that Mr.. "Sheeny
Nike is arrested here for burglary. He de-
MES that photograph No 1907 in the rogues'
gallery is his; whereupon the inspector looks
in an indexed volume for No. 1907, under
which is found a full description, correspond
ing in every detail with the prisoners phys
ical peculiarities, even to birth mark and
subsequently, acquired scar. To this is added
reference to No. 1856 in the state prison
book. Turning to the latter, it is seen that
Sheeny has been at various times an inmate
of different state prisons. Not only the date
OF his sentence is given in each case, but the
name of the judge who administered it and
the very number of the mittimus paper.
Tackled on at the end is other reference to the
house of correction book in which he is traced
through successive terms of incarceration in
reformatory institutions of this sort. AT
each point-whatever the alias he assumes
references point back to the fatal number
1907, which establishes his identity Finally,
in an envelope marked 1907, is found pack
age of newspaper clippings embodying
sketches of the picturesque episodes in Mr. S.
Mikes career
All this mass of information is placed in
the hands of the district attorney, to whom
1t Is of material assistance in securing
Sheenys conviction, and the sentence of the
latter gentleman is recorded as usual upon
the books Not even yet, however, is this
luckless individual free from the tyranny of
the record system. When the first of the
month arrives during which he is to be re-
leased from durance vile, bulletin is sent
out to local stations and to other cities mott
flying the police everywhere that he is loose.
In this manner his opportunities for earning
a livelihood are reduced to minimum, and
before long he is apt to find himself again in
the tolls. Even though he commits no offense,
he is likely at any moment to be ''snaked i'm
on suspicion, and everything conceivable is
done to render existence as wretched for him
as possible.
HARD ON THE WICKED
Thus is the climate of Boston rendered nm
healthy for the iniquitous. At once. upon
his arrival in town, the suspicious character
is welcomed by an invitation to call upon
Chief Inspector Hanscom Under the chap
eronage of lynx eyed patrolman, he pays
visit to police headquarters, where he
undergoes examination If he is unknown,
and his account of himself is not perfectly
satisfactory, he is kept under the strictest
watch until he leaves the city. If recognized,
he is confronted with his record and advised
to get out as soon as possible For the pur-
pose OF Identifying such Objectionable per-
sons experienced officers are kept constantly
on the watch-as is the case i'll all cities-at
railway stations, hotels and places Of amuse-
ment.
The whole system hangs upon the recocni-
ton OF the criminal as an individual From
his first offense he is followed bv the ever
watchful gaze of the guardian in blua broad