The Democratic advocate., 1904-11-26
The Increase of Lawlessness.

In its December number McClure'S Maga-
zine gives some astounding statistics concern
ing The Increase of Lawlessness in the
United States which must halt the most
casual reader ahd force reflection. The fig
ures presented. collected for a period of %
years by the Chicago Tribune. show that there
are at present four aud a half times as many
murders aud homicides IN proportion 10 popu.
lation in the United States as there were in
1881. A number Of comments taken from
representative aud serious newspapers. and
from the published statements ot Judges and
citizens. concerning this rapid aud alarming
increase of lawlessneSS indicate the general
impression of this condition and the attitude
of the better public sentiment toward 1t.
IAbulated statements OF the number and
causes of murders aud homicides since 1881
reveal much of interest and deep significance.
/ The worst record in this period was that of
1895. la the financial depression following The
/ pawc. Improvement is shown until 1899. bur
/ since that time the record has gradually grown
worse.
The comment attending this interesting
! presentation of facts Is signed BY Mr.. 5. 5.
4 Mcclure himself He states thai he was led
/ TO consider the prevalence OF crime by the
results Of the Investigations made lay Mcclure 5
( Magazine. He says: "li seemed 10 me in
4 credible that legislators, mayors. aldermen,
| pohcrmru-eveu justices OF the peace ana
! sometimes police iudgeS-selected by the
! methods described ~ MIR. Sietfeus' aricrs,
could fully protect life aud property. He
! describes the uGgarchy "t selfish and criminal
| interests which control the party organizations
and constitute the actual government N many
. places. - government OF private Interests op-
/ posed to public interest.
! .'lh So men, he saws. ''br;hers uf votare.
voters who are hribrd brihrrS ot aldermen
/ and ,gt-.aIlrs. apd aIi,rmer aud Legislators
/ " ru ar- bubri. mcu who secure control oi
I law masking bodies and have laws passed
/ whicA enable them to steal from their nrigh-
I buvs. men who have laws uuu-ruturceI and
break laws regulating saloons, gambling
I houses. aud. ju short, all men who perreri and
/ urfuu5 the >onrye~ OF G,w-the>e men We have
called Enemies at the Republic
They are wor>t-tfsry are enemies Of ih'
human race. They are dtstrnvers of people.
, They are murisrers OF "a civilization.
/ They constitute "a class et criminals very
. different from ordinary criminals who break
I IaWs. these men destroy law.
I "1he institutions cf q self governing people
rise no higher than the people. And it these
institutions are continued aud perpctlated by
such self constituted o.jgsrch,es, cur legSla
rar's boards % al4srmes. governors. maSors
F1.'gEs aFHl fH g less extent oar courts. must
berum- jnethcIest ard corrupt
Unhk- many students aud critics of political
Asd social caad-uuusNr Mcclure has hope nut
suggestion for -bt future. seeing iu >rune meas
urr even 5u ths light of these depressing fact,
shat q, are E1rag Go do about %. Hrcon
+ cludes a. follows.
There are men. aud groap> OF men. ia
every community, who realize these truths and
who are 8; wnrs. sometimes winning success
Ike tatk uf Missouri. sometimes working halt
q lifetime Fiih djseopruEement ike Blsuken
turE1 and other, Philadelphia. sometimes
making slow aua sun. progress which viii be
Crowned With brilliant slrres~-hse The Nom
ciral Voter l.saEage I1 Ch,r-zo.
"Tbs-e aud ihaus1ua, a, Others are 'hs
pioneers of ue~ righteousness Nhseh shall
. become new Vass5au-,hv Lave yt Country.
We sba.. srr ,hA' res passion develop in the
AmrrleAn people uu'li 50 have nheiIruCr g
the 'Aw because il e tho 'a@. ard the wfiI a
thr stale wr ts sathcs-u'. Aud the briUsr
aui 'he CRATER, ard fae traitor who steal,
from bls Shbu=s 4ai yu.I4l's The las -.
b-, aHauir 'o rnaarr 'hs -rarH oj hF, fellows.