New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-10-13
KLEPTONANIl.
as possible

The names for 1t have been various bu; the
essential quality everywhere and always the
same Convey the wise it call said ancient
Pistol during discussion OF the subject al the
Garter Inn. when Falstaff was complaining that
RardOlph's "thefts were TOO open: his FLEMING
was like an unskilful singer; he kept not time.
In this country when persons Of any social stand
ing get caught at It a name is given 10 il, de-
rived from rae Greek, which gives 1t mysteri-
Gus sort of responsibility. just as compound
ing Of Greek derivatives gives currency 10 a
hair restorer. We call It "kleptOmania' II
means Of course. that persons afflicted with II
or perhaps, enjoying it-have such az IRE
sistible desire TO steal things tina. they cannot
overcome It; they are morally irresponsible.
The offence IS the same. but it sounds better TO
call II keptOmania than 10 Use the harsh mono
syllable equivalent. theft.
An American lady Of high social standing, Ii
seems, has lately been taken in London in the
act of-not stealing. OF course; her social stand
ing forbids the use OF any such coarse phrase:
but of-apprOpriating 10 her OWN use and De-
hoof articles OF value belonging 10 other people,
and vulgar persons connected with the enforce
men; Of the laws Of Grea. Britain against such
irregularities have far disregarded the recog
uized amenities Of social life and violated the
comfy of International relations as 10 have her
arrested and actually imprisoned like any ordi-
nary shoplifter or thief The evidence OF her
obliviousness Of the difference between menn
and tuum being positive and irrefragable the
absurd British magistrate proposes notwith-
standing her social Standing TO treat her as q
criminal-as a common thlef-whereas. as every
body In this country knows no knows anything
at all about court processes CT legal definitions
she was simply kleptoman.ac. Much diplo-
matte correspondence has resulted from this mis-
understanding between the two countries. Am.
bassador Bayard has been almost showed under
with letters and cablegrams on the subject
Mayor Sulro OF San Francisco. whose thorough
knowledge Of the difference IN degrees OF crime
Is Indicated BY the manner in which he denOunces
Mr. C. r. Huntington. OF the Southern Pacific
Railroad as n hlghwaynan. cabled his personal
voucher for the lady's responsibility and her en-
fire innocence OF any criminal intent. Other
eminent persons Including the Hon. Mr.. Ran
som. Of North Carolina Minister 10 Mexico
cabled the Anibas sador To the same effect.
And yet al last accounts the London magis-
tratc instead Of dlscharcing the kleptoinaniac.
was holding the matter under adylsemeDi. with
ar apparent disposition 10 consider it com
monp,ace case Of theft. Nobody had ever been
exempted from the penalties for theft in his
Jurisdiction on the ground Of k!eptoman.a, and
he was evidently confused by the name Of H.
Now that steps have been taken through our
Ambassador 10 bring the matter to the atten-
ton Of the British Government. We shall pres
emily learn whether an American kleptomaniac
has any rights in Great Britain which that Gov
eminent il bound 10 respect. great many
peopla in this country arc already very much
angered at the thought that we are so much un-