The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1897-04-20


progress in COM
batting the enc
mics of society who fill our jails, says
the London Times Mr. Douglas Nor
r1son, in paper read not long ago be-
fore the Statistical society, tells us that
this belief rests on no solid founda-
ton and that when the facts are an
alyzed it becomes highly doubtful
whether there has been more than
nominal decrease of crime. There is
no doubt that the figures generally
quoted in support of the view which
every one would fain believe do not sub
stantiate it. The explanation of many
of the facts which seem at
first sight to justify optim
ism and self-congratulation lies
in a movement which influences,
consciously or unconsciously, all per-
sons administering the criminal law
the growth of feeling of distrust of
the efficacy of severe sentences and OF
conviction as to their mischievous-
ness in many cases, and pity and ten
NCA AAOoO
nails who are thought to be the vic
Tins of circumstances.
1t has been said that Victor Hugo's
picture of Jean Vatican, the outcast
with noble instincts, who tries again
and again to extricate himself from a
coil OF misfortunes, and who again and
again succumbs in the struggle, pro-
foundry influenced the administration
OF the French criminal law, and for
many years that spirit of pity and tolls
GRAFTON which the French poet depict
ed in LES Miserables" has been every
where in the air.
1t is therefore right to caution the
public against confounding the diminu-
ton in the number of offenders detain-
ed in prison in consequence of a wise
mitigation of the severity of the Grim
inal law with corresponding decrease
in the amount of crime. 1t is just pos
sible, however, that in avoiding one
extreme Mr.. Morrison has pushed his
point too far and has given counte-
nance to a respondent view as little
dennis. In interpreting the only avail
able figures the increased vigilance of
the police is an element scarcely to be
overrated. A scarcely less important
element is that of publicity Every Of
Tense is noted. The chances of detec-
ton are probably greatly increased in
these days, when every household be-
comes aware of the person wanted
for any crime of magnitude. To know
that crime generally is increasing is to
know very little. 1t may mean no
more than that certain offense against
police regulations have increased or
diminished. The morality of the coun-
try may be steadily rising though the
convictions for breaches of the educa-
ton acts are increasing
There is sensible diminution of
certain offenses most indicative of a
licentious spirit. Property is respect
ed more than it was, and some crimes
connected Herewith and productive of
others-for example, receiving stolen
goods in some towns-bid fair to dis
appear.
On the other hand, there is no sign
of reduction in certain other crimes
which appear to come in the train of
material prosperity. The report we get
is both of good and of evil. Of the
real causes Of crime and of the extent
to which it can be prevented by prac-
ticable measures Mr.. MorrisOn's figures
tell one little that is positive. More
than 1000 years ago Euripides ex-
pounded the theory of the criminel-ne
under which Lombroso, Mario and
Ferri have lately labored The Greek
writer puts into the mouth of one of
his characters the reflection that,
whereas land naturally barren may
yield a good harvest if the season be
good, and fertile land may be sterile
if the season be unkindly, men are al
ways what they are; the good always
good, even in the pinch of hard circum-
stances, the bad always bad-the GRIM
incline certain to be in the dock. how
ever carefully the philanthropist look
after him. What truth there is insthis
view. how far the standing army of
crime consists of this element, how far
of people not much worse disposed but
less lucky than others statisticians do
not tell us-perhaps they never will.
But in that direction lies the interest
of the present and, still more that of
the future.