Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-26
why So Many Crimes.
ATLANTA constitutional

A leading member Of the Atlanta Bar
observed a few days ago, in commenting
upon the growth Of crime In this country
that TO every fifty homicides committed In
the United States there are only three
committed I'm Great Britain
This is a most alarming statement and
demands some investigation. What is the
difference between the two countries
which accounts for this amazing disparity
and causes such preponderance of crime
on this side of the Atlantic?
In answer TO this question 1t may De
observed in the first place that a large
percentage of the crimes committed IN
the United States is directly traceable 10
the foreign pauper element found in near
ly all of the larger cities of the country,
but chiefly in New York, Boston, Philadel-
phia, San Francisco, and other cities along
the coast. On account of our lax imm-
grant laws this country has been for years
a place of refuge for the most worthless
ana vicious classes OF Europe. and, as
natural consequence. our criminal records
have been very greatly swollen. There
can be no contradiction Of this statement,
as the courts of justice themselves bear
testimony 10 it's truth In order 10 cor
rect this glaring and pernicious evil, which
is steadily infusng it's deadly poison into
the current of our American life there is
now pending in Congress a measure which
meets with the approval of all parties,
providing for the restriction of iliterate
foreign immigrants. The practical opera
ton of this measure will, no doubt, tend
to reduce very greatly the number OF
crimes committed within our national Dor
ders.
But aside from the laxity of our irnmi-
lan L. hat.
grave evil 10 be found in the hardness
with which justice is meted out to of
tenders by our courts. 1t frequently hap
pens under our loose system Of JUS
tice THAT death penalties are held up
for years awaiting a final adjudication
in cases OF appeal. There is no reason
for such a delay as this I'm executing
the law. Instead Of putting a stop to
the preparation of crimes, 1t has eX-
actly the opposite effect. and tends TO
stimulate a spirit Of lawless defiance
and responsibility. In England there
is no federation of such tardy methods
as prevail I'm this country. On the other
hand a prisoner Is brought TO trial at
once and, I'm the event Of his guilt, Is
made TO suffer without unnecessary re-
spite The principle laid down by Black
stone In his concentrations is that justice
HlOulu UOl OIll NC siNfitt bAN oA'p
prompt and certain. Otherwise, it is al
most sure TO defeat its own ends. II
the law is not enforced, IL matters lit
tie what the nature of the penalty may
be; but, on the other hand, If the law
is promptly and vigorously enforced,
and the violator knows that he is going
to be punished for his guilt, there Is
not apt to be so many crimes committed,
even though the penalty may not
be severe What our system Of justice
needs. therefore, is not severer punish
ment, but more vigorous and certain
execution of the law as it now stands
Until this fact is recognized our people
may confidently expect to read OF the
preparation Of crimes almost daily.
There should be radical overhauling
Of our system of justice in this respect
and the sooner the reform is instituted,
the better It will be for the peace and
good order of the land.