The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-31
Intellect in Crime.

There is progress in all things, and the
science OF burglary is no exception to the
rule. The old-fashioned housebreaker has
been superseded by a gentlemanly indi-
vidual who drives to his place of business
in a cab and does his work in clothes so
handsome and impressive that nobody
thinks of him as being burglar until he
has vanished; and then it is too late Five
men, well dressed and wearing diamonds of
considerable value. went into New York
restaurant not long ago, ordered an ex-
pensive breakfast, and while lingering over
II managed TO steal SO, 900. They paid the
cashier with money which they had taken
from the safe, and departed.
Such methods Of procedure would as
tonish Bill Sykes. They would strike him
as unscientific; and Fagin would undoubt-
ediy stigmatize them as involving too much
outlay. But that is the way the modern
burglar does his work.
1t is obvious that men who have the wit
to devise such schemes as these and carry
them out successfully would be able to sue
coed in almost any legitimate business
There is q type of housebreaker a con-
genital criminal, who leads a life of crime
not SO much because it is profitable as be-
cause his evil impulses demand that he
shall do SO. He is often clumsy, brutal,
and unscientiic in his methods, and his
victims are not prepared for him. A tramp
can go into country town and pick out a
house in lonely situation, where he has
reason to suppose that he will find valu-
Hbles; and, owing to the difficulty of sum-
moning assistance or fighting off the in
truder, tie occupants of the house will
not be able 10 save their property even If
the burglary is discovered. 1t does not take
much courage or wit to do that sort of
thieving; II needs only the INSCRIPTIONS
instinct Of the thie. But in a big city.
where the police are alert and people in
general more or less on their guard against
suspicious characters, the successful bur
glar must be willy as well as determined
II, in the study of the criminal problem,
some way could be found by which such
misdirected talents could be made of use
10 the State. 1t would probably be the most
valuable discovery of the age. II is not
impossible that something of the sort will
be done. The prison reform associations
are working toward that end, and so are
the Junior republics. The philanthropists
interested in prison reform do all that
they can to utilize each mans special gift
during his Incarceration. They see that a
man accustomed to work with his head,
albeit his work is criminal, IS not likely
TO be contented when set at brushmaking
or quarrying, and If he is not contented
he is more or less dangerous. His brain
must be allowed to occupy itself in some
legitimate way, or ne will be planning
muting, escape. and mischief. 1t is sim
ply precaution to keep him thinking
about something If possible. Moreover, il
he has any good in him he may form habits
of industry, become interested in work
for its own sake, and make up his mind
TO use his brains in honest occupations
when discharged; and when one criminal
is made into an honest man, there is a
distinct gain not only to the man but the
State, for he becomes profitable TO the
community instead OF preying on it. 1t