Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1905-05-19
10 MCDILL'S MUSINGS.
THE CAUSE Of CRIME.

A Seattle lawyer wrote and published long
dissertation on the growth of crime, and the
cause. The lawyer reached the conclusion
that our courts are not severe enough in pun
ishment lawyer might be expected to take
a superficial view. Old Judge Jeffries, OF
England, boasted that he had hanged or trans
ported every man or woman brought before
him accused of any sort OF crime; but, in JEFF
fries time, criminals were never rampant.
People seemed to court death on criminal
charge. For time, in the past two years, the
more Negroes burned, the more Negroes made
themselves liable. To be put to death by
mob ought TO have deterrent effect, 1t there
is anything in awful severity and atrocity.
Adam and Eve, the first pair of the human
race, came fresh from the hands OF God, and
yielded to the first temptation.
There is much in environment. There are
tens of thousands of people who live long
life without crime. There is no temptation to
go wrong. If there was not something allur-
ing in all wrong.doing there would be no
wrong doing. A man can cultivate or restrain,
but many people have not the will power to
place themselves under reasonable restraint.
Allurement breaks down will power, and one
false step may mean a wrecked life. In the
natural passions and appetites, moderate in
duieence is NATURES end. Immoderate indulg-
ence lies in environment When we eat too
much, nature was not our guide. We had too
many dishes of rich food. Our boy went to
the saloon aud drank because his companions
went, and all wanted to shave fun" 1t is all
right for the boys to have fun, but nature new.
er prescribed the fun that comes of drinking.
Nature has her limits in sexuality. Obscene
literature and oonversation-the mind full OF
the one thought-converted natural passion
into ruling demon.
The man who thirsts for another mans blood
is insane. Niue hundred and ninety-nine-
hundredths of civilized people do not thirst for
blood, there being no disturbing outside intu-
enoe.
The mob is the lurking tiger OF long past
ages, when man took his chances for existence
as the coyote now takes his chance.
The nAammatory speech of the politician or
The writing of book unclaimed the tiger, and
resentment of crime burns out in the commun-
ity of crime Temporarily, the mob is Insane.
Hunger drove man to the taking of loaf
of bread That man is neither Insane or
criminal
Senator Burton fell in wanting to pay debts,
and. because our standard of morals is so low,
he really thought he was doing no harm
Stealing land from Uncle Sam Is an old busi'
ness and Senator Mitchell, if he stole land,
was only doing what both individuals and cor
porations have been engaged in from time i'm
memorial.
Bigelow appropriated the money of people
who had trusted him, so that he might get rich
ouick. and rank with the Goulds and Wander
bilts. Money was more to him than honor,
because riches are at premium.
Rockefeller wants all the oil, tor-the Devil
only knows what reason. A criminal without
, :no,ve or temptation.
The people who speculate on Wall street,
and who are heeced, are no better in purpose
than the men who feeced them. The same
spirit actuates all. All want riches without
.svorking. AAll want the labor of other mems