The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-11

While II is readily apparent that crimi-
mails are not TO be handled with silkea
gloves and bound in silver chains, 1t must
be admitted that, notwithstanding the en-
Iightenment Of the age, there is rem
nant Of something feudal in the modihed
barbarities Of certai1 penal institutions.
II may be a legitimate inheritance OF
Middle Ages but whatever its origin,
trace of ancient barbarc sentiment exists
and manifests itself principally in NOR
bid satisfaction even among the highly
cultured over the humiliation OF an Of
fender In feudal days it had not occurred
10 the busy vassals and lords of the manor
that the policy of reform had legitimate
relation TO that of punishment, and perhaps
the serfs were not considered worth it.
Il was then that the wages of almost any
sin was death, immediate or through
langushment in foul dungeons to which
horrifying experience speedy and capital
punishment was decidedly preferable.
The mysterious law of heredity often
exerts more of an influence in shaping the
sentiments Of generations than the very
subjects Of that influence realize, and in
asmueh as there must be some diluted
strain Of the blood OF feudal days. with
now and then the posterity Of the ancient
corpuscle. in the veins OF contemperane-
Gus man, It is not entirely illogical to
attribute the occasional lapses into cruel
ty of disposition to temperamental in
icfa pt nd 1aca
barbarous forefathers.
The representatives OF present day civ
ilization often find IL easier TO preach the
gospel Of mercy than to practice II, thus
giving the pessimist the lever with which
he stirs UP more than a little discord
But there is leayen at work, and So
ciety is making commendable strides to-
ward the actual solution Of the criminal
problem. Through many centuries punish
ment has been accepted as the sole motive
in dealing with the offender. Society has
devised every means TO degrade him In
later eras, perhaps accepting the glim-
mer OF false theory that a proper amount
OF humiliation vigorously applied might
turn the offender from the wickedness of
his way
But men are at last beginning to under
stand that their aim is a higher one. that
society owes IL to itself. to its best develop
ment, that the real effort shall be made TO-
ward redemption. even though II may fail
in ninety-nine cases out of hundred. The
problem Of the ultimate civilization must
deal with men as well as machines, the
perfection of humanity as well as the build
ing OF a successful airship or the elimina-
ton of warfare. And in dealing with men,
1t must seek TO raise the lowest at least TO
the common level ere the general fabric Of
society can be carried onward 10 the higher
attitudes whose successive elevations mark
the nearer approach to perfection.
Phrenologists and sociologists are taking
cognizance of the fact that the elimination
OF the criminal is not entirely work of
brutality. OF chains, bars, and degradation.
but the task OF philanthropic effort, which,
though 1t can probably never hope TO pro-
duce condition OF universal rectitude. can
and will eventually reduce the number Of
outcasts to an lnsigniicant minimum. This
assertion is utoplan, and may be regarded
as sufficiently premature to be considered
millennial, but Is entirely consistent with