New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-07
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
MISPLACED SENTIMENT.
None Should Be Wasted on the Midnight
Burglar with Murder in His Heart.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
SIR: The words GO Gently. Boys I'm Hurt:
were written under illustration IN a newspaper.
The scene was on the roof Of dwelling; a burg
lar with a bulls-eye lantern and drawn revolver
snd two policemen with drawn revOvers- The
burglar was at angle Of a triangle and the
TWO policemen were at the ether angles. All were
-ring the burglar having the advantage OF the
cleaning light Of his burs-eye lantern. Seeing
the situation and how it ended has aroused all
my indignation. To think that midnight burg
lsr-the very excrescence OF al that is evil and
vile in this world-after he had been shot ana
fallen. should address two honest policemen VINO
had gone arrest him. and to speak on such
terms Of equality and intimacy GO gently, boys
I'm hurt Such phrase field of battle, from
a wounded soldier is fun OF tenderness and pathos
When his comrades are trying to assist him. II
then becomes one Of the finest phrases in the Eng
lish lancuaee-vorrhy 20 fan from the noblest
lips. but when used by thief, particularly MID
night one armed the teeth and willing 10 XIII
any one that comes in his way. then. ! say. the
policemen should show no mercy. one can some
times condone the evil 5oings Of thief in the
Daytime tempted 10 steal through necessity, Tor
humanity is frsil. He at least gives you 3
chance for YOUR life and does not add to his crime
Of taking valuables the mental disorders which are
apt TO follow the midnight burglars call
Go gently. boys. Tn hurt from the lips Of
midnight burglar is a travesty on life No other
class OF men tnct such mischief and mental tor
lure. They not only take your puTse but SKATER
the brain TO torture you in after years, OF such
nature thai scarcely eraclcate Ineli
Take another side Of the picture. suppose the po-
1icemen had been killed. Think Of he saddtnsa
home, the widow ana orphaned children, me
~retche6 existence they might have TO leao from
1he loss Of a father and The neglect OF d coie
world. al hecscse a miserable midnisht burglar
snd social eNcresceroe shoots TO Kill. - -.
You may have retired IN peace ana GlleJ- ana pc
round asleep. when suddenly q shadow passes
sthwart your room. Before you are aware or y
passes through your soul A light IRON the glare
of buils-eye lantern IS thrown directly N your
face. Behind * is black masked rough. VINO aI--
prO0ches with noiSeleSs tread. Whle the uasn OF
fEht reveals the gttering pistol barrel thrust dl-
iecry IL your face. ana held there with the Trigger
fun cock. Al any moment i is liable 70 pe
discharged by the nervousness OF the oUI gar, oI
by MS coldbloodedness. ia ne chooses 1ou I've
hours Of agony IN g ond OF time; then, TO have
the strain prolonged long enough 10 allow the other
intruder tine SO through your clothes and carry
torture. or. suppose the same scene is enacted
with HELPLESS woman. Think Of her terror and
az the effects that might follow!
The words Of q wounded midnight burglar. 60
Eer.flv bows IN hurt 8 wretched parody. Il
IS misplaced sympathy Il followed for you take
YOUR life in your hands u YOU attempt 10 uefend
yourself from him I can find 10 strength OF eT-
TresSiCu utter detesratio1 or the
gang and when j contemplate the train q hoT-
Tors and the unnecessary expense their acts IN
pose upon society ny soul Is filled with incignauor
Think OF fhe mllions Of money spellt IN ~ tns, -
make our houses burglar proof-the bolts, locks
doors. electrical appliances. the peculiar corStlc
ron necessary the police force. the courts OF law
the reform schools. the jais the thousand ard one
of burglars, The law should be Sc amended that
fWice the length Of time should be imposed Where
the robbery IS a midnight one. No punishment
should be too severe 10 be melted cut 70 this class
South Orange, ". J..soct. ? 1913