The Red Cloud chief., 1897-04-30

GO making sure II o
batting the enc
MES OF society who fill our jails, says
he London Times. Mr.. Douglas Nor
rison, In a 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 1t becomes highly doubtful
whether there has been more than a
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 1t. The explanation of many
or the facts which seem at
nrst sight to Justify optim-
ism and self-congratulation lies
l n a movement which influences,
consciously or unconsciously, all per-
sons administering the criminal law
the growth Of a feeling of distrust Of
the efficacy of severe sentences and of
n conviction as to their mischievous-
ness In many cases, and pity and ten
derness toward a large class of crimi-
nails who are thought to be the VIC
tins OF circumstances.
IT 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 q
coil OF misfortunes, and who again and
again succumbs in the struggle, pro-
foundly influenced the administration
OF the French criminal law, and for
many years that spirit Of pity and toll
Grafton which the French poet depict
ed in Les Miserables' has been every
where In the air.
IL 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
maj Jaw 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-
n to a respondent view as little
justified as the optimism which he con-
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
kno 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 a sensible diminution of
certain Offenses most indicative of a
licentious spirit. Property is respect
ed more than 1t 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 ge,
Is both OF good and of evil. or the
real causes of crime and of the extent
to which 1t can be prevented by prac.
ticable measures Mr.. Morrison's figure.
tell one little that is positive. Nor,
than 1000 years ago Euripides ex
pounded the theory of the criminel-n,
under which Lombroso, Mario ant
Ferri have lately labored. The Greel
writer puts into the mouth of one 0
his characters the reflection that
whereas land naturally barren ma!
yield a good harvest II the season b.
good, and fertile land may be steril
II the season be unkindly, men are al
ways what they are; the good Away
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 loo
/ after him. What truth there Is in thi
. view, how far the standing army @
. crime consists OF this element, how ia
: of people not much worse disposed bu
I less lucky than others statisticians d
not tell us-perhaps they never will
!. But in that direction lies the interes
, Of the present and, still more. that
3 the future.