The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-06-17
The shop.Liner.

skillful as the locks are made stronger,
of the projectile being hurled with more
deadly force as the ships armor plate
is strengthened. 1t IS the eternal strug-
gle between the forces that build up and
the forces that tear down.
The detective must keep abreast of the
times, must be as keen as the thief
and aus far seeing as the property owner:
he must understand in the utmost detail
how crimes are committed In order that
he may prevent them from being COM
mftted.
I TENDENCY TO SYSTEMATIzE
CRIME.
One OF the most noteworthy character
istics of the formidable criminal of to-
day as distinguished from his prototype
OF the generation back Is his tendency
&c systematiZe crime and TO carry 1t out
with the same busines:-like enterprise
that is showing itself everywhere in
American life. Take the best class of
4 thieves for instance; they start out for
a seasons work with perfected organi-
cation and cold-blooded plan of opera
ton that would have astonished the
hap-ha2ard, easy-going thieves who
used to rob our fathers
twenty years ago criminals had their
SpecialueS and struck TO them. When q
man was known as a plcketpocket he
would remain a picketpocket, and bank
burglars, sneak thieves, forgers and
counterfeiters, having perfected them
SeleS in one line of work were content
to devote their energies exclusively to
that Now all This Is changed, and. lust
as our great stores are no longer limit
ing themselves to the sale of any special
kind of goods, but are becoming huge
emporfums for everything so the great
criminal Is developing a tendency TO
branch out into any or all forms of
crime, holding up q train in one place
robbing a bank in another. and picking
pockets between times when business Is
dull
It II not uncommon for a criminal who
has been successful as a confidence man
but has no personal knowledge OF any
other line, to employ a clever safe blower
with other assistants and organize a
coup against some rich bank The conf
dence man takes all the risk OF the oper-
alton, advances the necessary funds.
guarantees a certain sum to The men
who rob the safe. and, II the Job Is sue
cessfui takes the 1onrs share Of the
pDrnder. Such enterprise would have
been unheard of ten years ago.
Pushed to Its limit the present ten
aency among hish-class otiminala 10
widen their field of action would result
in centraHzing tine whole !aw-breakin q
business in the hands of few darin0
and powerful individuals. who wouI1
employ dozens (perhaps scores OF their
less enterprising comrades to work for
them and would finally come to enioy a
curious monopoly of the country's crini.
nal business, just as other men enjoy a
monopoly Of dts trade. After ali. whv
not: this IS am age Of progress!
DAYTON SANfMIE" AND HIS
81 METHODS.
For years one OF the most sucessf,'
pickpockets in the United States ha,
been young man of good manners ant
presence, who was brought up in a luxu
rious home and who might be earning
his living honestly in his fathers bust
ness did he not prefer crime for its owr
sake. Dayton Sammie," as he 10 known
is undoubtedly a latter day pervert on,
OF Max Nordau's degenerates, and vet
go keen is the intelligence he has brough
ito bear on his dangerous calling that
although but few years over 20. n,
has already amassed considerable for
tune. and until quite recently (this wa,
mis- proudest boast. had nevec done
day In prison.
sSammie" Is known to the police @
every large city as dangerous operator
nor would be derry when questioned
extensive thievings in many States, no
repudtate his dntentior of stealing a.
: fn3ny thousands or hundreds OF tfous