The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-07-04

l.
and crirninolosy Formed In CHICAGO.
Many Changes In Methods of Deal
ing With Social Offenders Mapped
out-crine Journal Proposed.
The entire subject of American
criminal Jurisprudence and the treat
ment of criminals is to come under
the close study of experts in the next
year in way never before attempted
In the United States as q result of
the national conference on criminal
law and criminology which recently
ended its sessions in Chicago.
With the unanimously expressed
opinion that there are defects almost
too numerous 10 catalogue In the Grim.
tnal law and in the handling of Grim
inals in the United States today the
experts who were gathered at the
conference decided to investigate
through subcommittee the topics
which were under discussion for two
days
The conference also formed itself
into a permanent organization. The
name of the body is the American In
stitute of Criminal Law and Grim
inology. 1t viii hold meetings annual
" hereafter which will be attended.
It is hoped, by jurists, lawyers, doc
tors, alienists, ciergymen, criminolo-
gists, prison officials and many others
interested in all that pertains to the
criminal problem of America.
The entire subject of American
criminolOgy is to be- brought under
the microscope of experts in the ex-
pectation that great benefits viii re-
suit to the public at large. The most
advanced nations of Europe, it was
declared at the conference, are far in
advance Of the United States in the
handling of criminals and in the adj
ministration of criminal law, and it is
the avowed intention of the new or
ganization to place the United States
on a par with the other first class
powers Of the world in matters relat-
Ing to crimirology.
Over his own objection Dean John
FL Wigmore of the Northwestern Uni
varsity Law school was elected the
frst president of the institute.
The three sections of the conference
reported to The entire assemblage in
the afternoon. Their reports covered
10 general terms the whole realm of
criminal law and criminology, show
Ing that in the opinion of those max
Ing up the reports there are scores Of
defects in these matters in the United
States today.
Ont Of the great mass of recon-
mendMfions submitted to 1t the confer
ence selected the following subjects
aa those which are to be studied dur
ing the next year by subcommittee.
which will report back to the newly
formed institute at its next annual
meeting
The complex factors combining to en-
courage and establish the persistent Of
fender, particularly with reference to he
redftary faint and disability.
The Influence attaching to the trafle IL
drugs and intoxicants as a widespread ex-
citant TO instability, in turn provocative
Of crime
An effective system for recording the
physical and moral status and the hered-
atAEy and environmental conditions OF de-
linauency.
The evils OF Imprisonment, particularly
those due to the indiscrifninate ningllng
III 5aiIs and other institutions of persons
81 different ages and of varying degrees
Of delinquency.
The results and NEST advisable methods
Of adult probation.
The extension and regulation OF the pa
role system, the indeterminate sentence
and the modification and suspension OF
sentences
Monetary and other Naturalization OF
cd af
Tie qualifications and training OF mem
bers Of boards Of pardon and boards q
parole ard The correlation Of such Boards
with one another and with the courts
The notorious abuses of expert testl-
mcny and the possibility of estapllsnllS
eon1missicns Of specialists, which may pc
drawn upon for impartial expert testi-
nlony.
Ratification Of courts. II was declared
that the judicial system should be reor-
ganized so as TO bring about unity anu
simplicity of organization ana 40 away
with the burdenSorne cost of Transcripts,
bills of exception and writs Of error, al
loving the appellate tribunal to pass upon
80 q use the same papers and the oflsI l.l,
evidence and comments used at the ia,
and to take further evidence on IorfI lai
matters or matters not controvertiple toT
the purpose of unfolding judgments
Fair and speedy trials.
Impartial but prompt selection OF AMER
ASent jurors
Appeals and reversals
Expert testimony and the best melhou
OK trying the Issue Of insanity
The simplifcation and amendment q
pleadings
The subcommittee. in whose names
the work Of considering these subJecls
has been left, viii consider the ques-
lions In detail and viii make compre-
hensive reports next year.
It is the plan Of the institute oincia4s
at that time to formulate reeommen-
dations to congress as to changes ~
the federal laws which may be neces-
saEy to bring about desired improY :,
ments, while recommendations W.
also probably be made e the various
state legislatures as to changes ID tne