The Republican journal., 1896-12-17
Crime and Criminals.

To THE EDITOR OF The JOURNAL. Are
we treating criminals in an intelligent
manner? In olden times can eye for an
eye' was perhaps as well as conditions
would permit. Burning of witches was be-
cause of want of knowledge In these
days such find retreat in our Insane Asy-
lums and some are improved
What is crime? If, as held by some
who have given the subject study, it is
disease, then it would appear proper to
treat it as such. How to do this is
serious matter. If a disease it surely is
not, as such, confined to the wealthy.
"Kleptomania is now recognized as dis
ease in females of position, and few loca-
lions but have such cases. Yet the female
who steals food or clothing for her little
Dor who steals is diseased. The former
is spurned, while the latter receives only
words of sympathy.
The bureau of statistics of labor of
Massachusetts show, 25 per cent of insane
caused by Incorporate habits of the per-
son himself 90 per cent. of one or both of
the parents of insane persons We're intern
perate; - per cent. of paupers We're
addicted to the use of liquor, and nearly
one half of the paupers had one or both
parents Incorporate.
As tf
ed for drunkenness. In 81 cases out of
100 the otfe nder was under the influence
of liquor when the offence was committed.
In 81 cases out of 100 Incorporate habits
led to committing the crime. Omitting
minors, 90 out of every 100 convicted used
liquors.
Here is evidently source from which
crime and insanity are developed. | say
developed, because we do not ''gather
figs from thistles." We must grow our
figs on the trees nature has provided.
Hence our criminal is developed. He has
a criminal disease and the use of liquors
develops what might have been latent, in
herited while without it, and in good sur
roundings, he would have eliminated his
criminal tendency as other diseases are
eliminated by physicians, or climatic en-
vironments. If this point is we'll taken,
then criminals should be treated as dis
eased and each case diagnosed and spec
tally treated. Nervous diseases in vari-
GUS forms are perhaps one of the CAUSES
for the habit of intemperance. Epileptic
conditions no doubt are such as to de-
velop the desire for drink, which is fuel
to the fire of the disease and hastens the
ills that follow.
If the statistics referred to are correct,
we find that the use of liquors produces
or develops large majority of our pau
pers, criminals and insane. This being
true it would appear that more attention
should be given in an intelligent way to
preventing its use. Law cannot do it. 1t
may restrict it. If it can be shown to
every man and woman that the use of
liquors may produce in their children
nervous diseases, criminals, paupers or
insanity, and perhaps all these, it may and
will cause many to avoid it, that they
may not be responsible for such results.
For who wishes to be father or mother
to a fool, criminal, pauper or insane
child. Intelligent investigation will be
of value and will surely do much good.
The cost of criminals in Massachusetts
State prison few years ago was $3.50 each.
1t is a great part Of our expense in way of
taxation which all must pay. CITIZEN.
Sing Song of Christmas=Time.
Sing a song of Christmas-time,
Mistletoe and holly,
Two impatient little girls,
Genevieve and Dolly.
When the door opened
They shouted in their glee,
And wouldn't you have shouted too
To have so fine a tree?
Dorothy G. Rice in December St. Nicholas.