The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-11-05
THE INCREASE OF CRIME.


THE INCREASE OF CRIME.
IA bad ending follows bad beginning"
The increase of crime is fruitful subject
of discussion. Many causes have been as.
signed for what appears to be an alarming
increase of criminals. One writer will say
that criminals multiply because of laxity
in the administration of the penal laws; but
his assertion is offset by the claim of an
other that the increase is only seeming
one due to the better facilities of modern
days for discovering and Furnishing crime.
We do not have any sympathy with the
theory that criminals increase greatly be-
cause of laxity in the enforcement of the
law, at least the penal code. There are
many superficial causes. but the real cause,
the underlying force that is perennially
throwing new course of criminals 20 the
surface, is not reached by most Of those
seeking to solve the problem. 1t is coming
very near the mark when one says that $50
clety produces its own criminals" But
society does not. as some seem to think,
produce them from the courts, jails and
penitentiaries. Those are only the garner
ing places-the criminal crop grows else
where. The seed is sown in the home. 1t
is only guess, but it is conservative one,
to say that nine out of every ten criminals
become such before they arrive at an age of
intellectual responsibility. "Just as the
twig is bent, the tree s Inclined" is a say
ing that contains the truth that the most
crooked humanity is such because it follows
the bent of its early training. Ofcourse all
parents wish their sons and daughters to
grow up without moral blemishes. Many
parents do all in their power to send good,
pure men and women out into the world;
but. on the other hand. there are many
others who do not, and the children of
these communicate their moral impurities
to those who otherwise would grow straight
as they were started. Take nearly all
criminals who have arrived at stage of
life where they can impartially Judge the
circumstances of their past and they will
attribute their crooked nature to the influ-
ences that surrounded their childhood. To
be plain, the increase of crime is due in
greater part to the lack of moral training of
youth. Many of the men prominent in
neighbOrhOOd, state and national affairs
are known to be corrupt in morals and
methods. Young people discern this and
they discern also that homage is paid to
these corrupt ones providing they are sac.
cessful in their undertakings. This has
demoralzng influence that no amount of
will say to himself that if Senator So and so
can extort bride from a railroad company
and not be punished, there is no reason
why may not break into railroad car
and take pair of shoes or box of crack
ers. There is little use of the Sunday
school teacher telling a child that it is
wicked to lie when that child hears it's par
ents lying to the neighbors. The preachers
condemnation of dishonesty fall rather
flat on congregation of young people who
know that the grand edifice in which they
worship was built by money much of which
was accumulated in gambling operations
and shady speculations. 1t is little use to
tell the boy that Honesty is the best pol
icy" when he sees dishonesty flourshing
all about him. To check the increase of
crime there must be a greater work done
than can ever be accomplished in the GRIM
inal courts and prisons. The vital points of
successful attack are the home, the school
and the church. Crime cannot be smoth
ered-the seed must not be sOwn.
In the darkest hour through which hui
man soul can pass. whatever else is doubt