The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-02-25
RIGHTS OF KNOWN CRIMINALS.

| An age-old question OF the rights Of
confirmed criminals, as opposed to The
rights of the community, has beer
raised again in New York Mayor Gay
nor, in letter to a Mr.. Duffy, object,
to the interference by the police will
known criminals. unless some speciG,
charge Of crime is pending against
them, on the principle that it is ;
dangerous delusjon - for the police tC
imagine that they have any primary
rights over criminals aside from som,
specific charge of criminality; anG
Mayor Gaynor makes clear his deter
| minatiou to oppose the rounding up anC
imprisoning of suspected persons, that
is, OF known criminals. on what arc
called general principles. -
In opposition TO that idea, that a
criminal has Just as much right to his
liberty aud to employ his time uumo
Tested in the preparation Of his plans
for crime, Depuiy-Poice COMMISSIONS
i Dougherty explains in connection with
recent hold-ups in New York the com
mon sense idea Of the police upon this
matter;
Why should large number OF men
| without visible means of snpport-men
with criminal recoTdS-he allowed TO
| roam around the city? There should he
some law which would make them work.
| We can do nothing under present condi-
| tions. ] am not hard the man who
| has done wrong and paid the punish
nent but II he Is n criminal who will not
work send him 10 break stones-Inak ke
| him improve The roads in Queens, make
him do any kind OF public i'm
prcromcnts that will keep him busy,
1t seems TO us that the position OF
| Mayor Gsynor is itself the . dangerous
deiusion' in the case, for it is not
true. as matter OF fact, as matter
OF ethics. or rs Il matter Of LAW, that
the professional criminal is entitled
TO all the rights, privileges, and immu-
mites of the law-respecting and law
abiding man. 1t is not trne that the
professional criminal who does not
work. and who lives in evident pros
citizen and 10 be considered as void of
offeDsc. The truth is that everybody
knows that the professional criminal
lives upon his criminality. When he is
in afflueuce. it is because he has been
able TO stesI from somebody; If he
wears good clothes il is beoause be has
robbed somebody, either of the clothes
or the money with which he buys them.
MIR. Dougherty is clearly right in his
proposition that known professional
criminals are rightfully under the ban
of the law. that they are proper OBJ
ects OF suspicion, and that there ought
to be some means Of dealing effectively
With them When known professional
criminal is found in any place, the po-
lice should have the right to apprehend
him and inquire into his circumstances.
If il can be shown. as these professional
criminals often claim, that they have
turned over 3 new leaf, have become
respecta ble law abiding, honest and
hard working then they should be CIV
en- every advantage pertaining to the
change which they have made in their
lives. But, 10 allow them 10 continue
as professional criminals. and to CON
slider them a. gentlemen entirely above
suspicion, and worthy of the highest
respect and confidence, is a travesty
on common sense and on the well known
relations OF snch criminals to society.
They are the wolves of the community,
aud are entitled TO be so considered.
Il is amazing TO see the tenderness
with which Mayor Gsynor and other
individuals and officials would regard
the hardened criminal class. There is
no reason Whatever for tenderness with
such characters. They should ne dealt
with instantly, drastically. and, wher-
ever possible. effectively. II is. in fact,
crime 10 allow such characters AT
large, and to permit them unmolested
TO plan and conspirc for the commis-
sion Of crime. 4 professional criminal,
unless ne can give clear account OF
and should be put. as Mr.. Dougherty
saws. on the rock pile or in prison, so
that he may be kept ont OF crime. and
the community be protected from his
ravsaes
| The law is for the protection of tho
peaceful community. and not for the
protection OF those who openly repu-
date IL and whose business or "pro.
fession u is to violate it and prev
upon the community without work or
equivalent. II is high time that We
came to the recognition of he fact that
country, MANY OF it, members dcspera-
| docs Of the most ruthless character.
who will stop at nothing and against
whom there is no protection save tho
vigilance Of the officers. and that vigi-