The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-29
THE INCREASE OF CRIME.
From the Washington Post.

From the Washington Post.
The Providence Journal thinks It Is un-
doubtedly true that crimes of violence are
on the increase in this country, whatever
the reason may be, and that they consti-
tute a grave reproach to our civilization,
justifying, at least In part, the unfayor-
able comments of European observers. The
Journal says there were nearly 10000
homicides here last year. while in the
whole United Kingdom there were less
than 500, and adds, by way or comment:
"This Is q startling discrepancy, showing
a disregard for the sancity of human life
which Is appalling. Probably the chief
reason for the number of murders-;nter-
national and other-.s the barbarous prac-
tice of carrying concealed weapons which
the law In many parts of the country does
not deal with severely enough; while a
contributory cause may be decreasing
respect for all law as an instrument Of
punishment, seeing how easily 1t may be
evaded, and how. by ingenious legal
methods, punishment when II Is awarded
may be postponed or averted.
-:Il:-
Various causes, besides those mentioned
by our Providence contemporary, con-
tr.buted to this startling discrepancy be-
tween the homicide statistics of the United
States and those of the United Kingdom.
Ours Is a new country as compared with
Great Britain and ireland. and Its hetero-
geneOus population Is being constantly
Increased by the immigration OF large
masses Of the ignorant and the vicious
from the most immoral parts of Europe.
OF course. we cheerfully cOncede that other
parts Of Europe supply us with stream
OF immigration that Is not Objectionable.
but that fact does not diminish the num-
Der OF homfcides due to the influx Of bru-
tally and depravity. The Indian terri
tory and other parts of the West that have
recently been opened up to settlement,
are extremely prolific Of murderous vio-
n L.. t. A...~ x.xru t,.t tIa.,A
TO the newness Of the country. The dis-
organization Of society that was an un-
avoidable result OF emancipation has been
the cause Of much crime. A great good
Is seldom accomplished without producing
evil. SO great and radical change as
was effected by the instantaneous trans
formation OF millions OF slaves into Free
dom and fellow-citizens was never made
in any country without producing social
conditions inimical to peace and order.
This too. Is a temporary condition. The
emancipated race Is making good pro-
gress In education, and the relations OF
the white and black races to each other
are steadily improving.
Unquestionably the practice Of carrying
concealed weapons is responsible for
many violent deaths, and the same Is true
OF the practice of keeping pistols In resi-
dences where they can be handled by
womn and children. Where one burglar
IL SnOt, UIty HhHOCeUt ptTsOUS dTe sam
by pistols kept for the protection Of prl-
vate houses. Husbands shoot their wives.
wives shoot their husbands, and both
shoot their IONS or daughters under the
impression. In all these cases. that they
are putting lead into burglars. But we
have little doubt that the greatest of all
the contributors to our appalling aggregate
of homicdes IL "the decreasing respect
for all law as an instrument of punish
ment seeing how easily II may he
evaded. and how, by ingenious legal meth
DDS. punishment when II In awarded, may
be postponed or avcrted." For this la
mentable lameness and general inefTl-
cheney and criminal Jurisprudence the legal
profession II largely responsible. The
laws are framed by members OF that pro-
fession and only men LEARNED IN the
law" are supposed to occupy judicial po-
sitions. But behind the lawyers and their
responsibility stands the people and their
obligation to themselves When the people
shall have had all they will take In the
way Of fooling with justice we may ex-
pect q reform. Republican institutions
have wonderful capacity for self-preser-
walton.