The record-union., 1892-11-21
FACTORS IN PRODUCING CRIME.

general circulation throughout the State.
FACTORS IN PRODUCING CRIME.
Rev. w. D. Morrison in Mind sums up
some findings relative to factors in pro-
ducing crime that fly in the face of the
ordinarily received notions concerning
the causes of vice.
For instance, he says that it is coming
to be recognized that the effect of drink
on crime has been greatly exaggerated.
That 1t is remarkable fact that the most
drunken nations in Europe are also the
very nations that are least addicted to
crimes of blood, and if sobriety is to be
accounted as the chief preservative
against criminality, we ought to find a
very low percentage of offenses amongst
the temperate communities in the south
of Europe. That, as a matter of fact.
1t is these communities which present the
blacklist records, and although interna-
tional statistics are not capable of being
used for purposes of exact comparison.
they at least possess the merit of making
1t perfectly plain that sober communities
are just as criminally disposed as com
munities which contain large percent
age of drunkards.
Whatever may be the statistical basis
of these conclusions, observers in our
own country will be disposed to dispute
the verdict Mr.. Morrison reaches. Here
in the United States drunkenness is un-
questionably a prime promoter Of the
lesser crimes, and in very large number
OF cases the bloody crime is perpetrated
when the criminal is fired to his purpose
by drink, or so inflamed with it as to be
fully conscious of his act, or is the result
of degradation and unthrift brought on
by drunkenness.
We know as matter of fact that in this
country the sober communities are not as
criminally disposed as those which con-
tain large percentage of drunkards. We
do know, and no mere statement to the
contrary will convince us against our
knowledge, that where there is least in
dulgence in strong drink, there is least
need for police surveillance and police
court activity, and the least cost to the
communities for prisons for petty Of
tenders and shelters for dependents.
Quoting Colajanin, who has examined
the question exhaustively, Mr.. Morrison
finds that the statistican believes that
varying degrees of criminality are not to
be ascribed to racial difference; but the
essayist qualities the judgment by say
ing that Quetelet finds nationality one of
the most essential factors in the produc-
ton of crime, and Mr.. Morrison adds:
The question is one which is rather diA7cult
to decide, inasmuch as the criminal character.
istics OF a community may be attributed with
equal plausibility either 10 nationality or to
social and economic conditions. 1t is, how
ever, certain that different nations have diff
1erent temperaments, and that the highest
percentage of ohenses against the person is
committed by hot-blooded people.
In this conclusion he viii have the con-
currence of observing Americans, who
certainly know that among the people
who come to us from the hot-blood coun-
tries there is greater readiness to use the
knife, the pistol, or the bludgeon. But
nationality does not play greater part
nor so great in crime in the United States
as does liquor.
The assumption that poverty is the
principal source of crime is controverted
by Mr.. Morrison. who points that differ
ences of opinion now exist upon that
question. Garofalo maintains that the
well-to-do, in proportion otheir numbers.
are just as criminally disposed as the poor
and needy; and it must be admitted. saws
Morrison, that both he and Ferri are able
to produce many striking facts and argu-
ments in support of this contention.
According to DR.. Foldes, the Austro-
Hungarian criminal statistics show that
the weli-to-do perpetrate fewer thefts
than the poorer classes; but, on the other
hand, they are responsible for quite as
many murders, and, in proportion to
their numbers, they commit higher
percentage of ofenses of a serious charac-
ter. Roland Falkner has shown that in
the United States the native born citizen.
Notwithstanding all his comforts and
advantages, is more addicted to crime
than the poor emigrant from Europe,
adds the essayist, a conclusion humiliat-
ing to our preconceived ideas probably,
but one we are not disposed to accept out
of hand. Before agreeing upon that
point most readers will desire to know
the relation of each class, native and for
eign born, to the whole number OF
criminals of each class, and how far
crimes not represented in State prison
records enter into the statistics.