New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-12
INDULGENCE TO HABTTUAL AND MUEDERoUS
CRIMINALS.

TO the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: Is there any reason why professions Grim
tnaI Ike De Blanchete, who has Just nurucreu 'he
brave detective Carey. should have been AT iaFse'
II he was put under lock and key during the Colum
bian Celebration, why should he not have been Kept
under lock and key an indefinite nme2 since II "a'
certainty that his profession was predatory that
theits and burrarcs were merely question OF OPP
portunity. Why should oil honest citizens be kept In
jeopardy OF property and NE, In order mat DE
Bhnchete might have the freedom Of the city
The revolver which tore that fatal wound In the
SIDE OF Carey was ready al-o for he first czen VINO
should resist tals mans robbery IN shop or home.
Good citizens must needs be at expense for bars ana
bolts, and police and wachmen and sill BE- in danger
OF loss and injury which would be entirely removed
II the temporary confinement which De Blanchete 80
bitterly resented, continued. Il Is exceedingly
costly to watch such when he IS at liberty.
To care for him under lock and key Is comparatively
inexpensive. II the community has such dangerous
members, has II not sovereign right TO take care of
them without unnecessary expeuscl
This terrible sacrifice OF a valuable member OF the
community. which is the direct consequence OF leav-
ms professional criminal at large, ought TO bring
home To the minds OF all thoughtful citizens the
urgent need OF chnnge In the infections OF penalty
under criminal law. We sentence a man 10 a certain
term OF confinement for certain crime. when he
has served Ibis term. he is let go without bond
security to the state for his future behavior The
state says practically to the criminal in small or
great crimes: GO out into the world. You are The
same thief, drunkard and burglar that you when
yon came here las far as We have official knowcdgel
and row we the Stste) shall keep up at enormous
expense force Of police and detectives to trace your
wandering and at risk OF their own lives rearrest
you when neXt you Shall have committed a crime"
The question al the end OF term Of Imprisonment
IS not whether the criminal has served "a term long
enough for the Nervousness OF his crime nor on the
other hand, whether ne is Il morally good man. 10th
Of those questions really are beyond The lunsd,c don
OF any earthly court Ile one question l.. AT such q
time Is this man ~ 10 take his place again In
Civilized soceiyf Is his contact with men to be
menace 10 thr peace and safety Of citizens who obey
the laws VIII the State be under heavy eNpcu.c
10 watch him II Il not Hkcly mat fhc blood Of a
valiant ohccr OF the law VIII i Shed ia the attempt
20 rcarrc,t him
II an un'avcrable reply must bee made 10 these
queries then the state has right 70 demand some
security Tor good behavior IN require evidence Of the
cnoTt 20 earn = hNinc 10y honorable means, and 10
compel every DISCHARGED criminal 10 report frequently
his residence and means Of sunuort ana ~ ri,a Ell.
dcncc that he - Cling legitimate Place I'm civilized
society IN view OF the tragic result Il would hnve
been co0i tlius. hnd IN" confinement OF this dos
perate criminal been continued from tlo Columbian
Celebration In New York unin tie End Of the Worlds
Fair next year.
Every eXconv,ct should give bonds or eoc,i-lfv nj
l'7i5t 10y tWA report aS have he"n mentlonedl 10
society, Q! else he deprived Of liberty There Is no
justice or rrht In allowing profa.'oual criminal. -
be al hrse IN ~ community II f. cosflv danger
Gus and unjust 10 That vast aoriy OF clfl1ens who
actively sustain the fabric ~ society
II such man as De Dlanchc'e could be locked II,
lor tlree dfys. ne could lie locked ND Tor Z longer
time. Release from Confinement should be conditioned
on fitness and the State should have cec,,r,tv 10y ~
",'H , anu "Se'u' cohnuct o. ne coDNcicd vloHtor
No. 800 West seventieth,t.. Nov. 4. 1900