Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-09-12
Of horse-power. We might call this


The Rational Punishment of Criminals. Is
Professor cmsar Lombroso. In September Forum
1t is easy enough to see the practical
application Of these theories. The crimi-
nal code has been conceived through the
study OF crime as an abstraction. It
must be modified by knowledge of the
criminal. There should be in il no
dream of theological expiations, which
man has no right to impose, but IL
should aim solely at the defence of
society. The greatest criminal anomaly
--eyen insanity--should not be con-
sldered as an extenuating circum-
stance. Even lunatics should be ar
rested in order TO protect society, espe-
cially the morally insane, who are
great peril, and the masked epileptics.
In the punishment Of crime the ten
dency Of its authors should be consider
ed. If the author is born criminal,
he must be confined for life, though
the crime itself is not great. On the
other hand, a crime, committed by an
honest man impelled by some strong
motive, should be punished with much
indulgence, especially political and re-
ligious crimes, which often only antici-
pate by some centuries the thought Of
the people. In our time, when hours
are years and years are centuries, a,
political idea which appears to be dan
gerous and even criminal through its ex-
cessive novelty, after some time may APP
pear practical and Just. Such for in
stance were the ideas of Christ and of
ideas OF the equality of all classes and of
the participation OF workmen in
profits. There was time when ID would
have been crime to maintain these
ideas, Now they pertain to a possible
reform. Then 1t must be understood that
for these crimes there should be no ire.
vocable penalty like death. The penalty
should be revocable when the novelty
has passed away and the idea is no
longer criminal. Vice versa, the hand
of the law must fall heavily upon the
the reeidivists, putting aside all senti-
mentality, especially il they have ac-
complies. And the completely must
not be judged automatically, for,
whether there are four or ten they arc
equally dangerous. 1t is merely pre-
ferring formulas to facts to exempt an
association with less than six members,
as is done in Italy, and to ignore the
perils of any criminal association. A
man who is not contented to steal him
self, but enlists others, is moro dan
gerous, and must be treated without
pity. Justice cannot be an emanation
from the Eternal Father REFRESHING sin
and disregarding interests. 1t especially
should undertake to compensate the
victims OF crime at the expense of the
criminal, making him work Tin order
to pay the indemnity if he is not rich.
1t is blunder also, when society has
lost through the crime, to compel 1t to
lose still more for the support of the
criminal All efforts to reform should
be concentrated upon occasional crimi-
nails. They are the only ones for whom
much can be done They should be
removed from all opportunity by pro-
curing them employment and protect,
ing them from the mischievous in
fiuence of alcohol, not only by prohibit
tory laws and fines which are generally
a dead letter, but by giving them men
tai amusement which will satisfy that
cerebral excitement that is gratifed by
alcohol Above all, the tendency to
crime which appears in infancy must
not be allowed to cotinue in youth and
become habitual