New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-18
ABOUT CRIME AND LIQUOR
The Fashion to Blame the Former on
the Latter, 1t Is Said.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir; In last Wednesdays lrioune
there appeared an editorial under 'he
CAPTION prohibitions Weak spot:
The editorial had to do with peti-
ton signed by the prisoners OF the
Eastern Penitentiary of Pennsylvania
praying the Legislature of that state
70 submit the question OF state-wlde
prohibition to the voters. You sa,d
that The petition was voluntarily
signed by 20 per cent of the Lao con,
victs in this penitentiary, who planned
their downfall on alcohol. DOUBT
whether this petition was voluntarily
circulated and signed by the prison
ers themselves. The petition reads as
though it may have been suggested
by some professional prohibitionlst
who is continually Matching political
and publicity schemes in his struggle
with John Rarleycorn and who may
have gained somehow the ear OF the
editor of the paper published in this
prison. Now look at the percentage OF
those attributing their criminal career
TO alcoholic per cent-whieh is the
number always used by prohibltlonists
IN their campaigns against old John D.
Those who were instrumental III
getting this matter in the newspapers
from the supposedly secret confines OF
a prison would have the public believe
that the arraignment OF the so-callcd
liauor traffic by these convicts is tho
strongest sociological argument ever
made against the liquor trafflc." The
petition is heralded as being "a Won
derfu argument against the liquor
traffic" am willing TO admit that
this scheme TO petition the Pennsyl-
vania Legislature for statewide pro-
hibition from the confines of penl-
Tertiary is unique and artful, but that
il will fail of its purpose | am sure.
for the convict belongs to the socially
prescribed class and his word and
opinion go for naught. He is recOg-
nized as an enemy to society, and So
ciety doesn't generally listen to or ask
for advice from is enemies. Now let
US look at the other side Of this So
called sociological argument.
The cOngenital degenerate incar-
cerated for nameless crime feels less
responsible for his guilt when he
falsely points TO the saloon and drink
rs the cause of his crime. And the
ingenious inquirer. who may he min
ister or sentimental college girl in
fused with the "uplift" mania. records
another mark against the liquor traf.c
How many OF our statistics Of the al
legged ravages of alcohol are ba cd
upon just such reports? So II is with
many other inmates OF our jsils and
asylums. They tearfully ascribc the
cause Of their downfall to the curse
of drink, not TO abnormal traits or
to the weakness or defects Of their
moral nature. because the alleged vic
tim of drink or drug eXcites pity and
sympathy not usually accorded TO the
deliberate criminal: yet il is a well
known fact that many expert burglars,
gamblers. gunner" ard frequently
moral pcrverts are total abstancr5
even from patent medicines many
even denying themselves the use of
tobacco. in order. 10 their way Of think.
ing. that the steady nerves required
in the exercise of their calling may
he keyed up to the highest efficiency.
supporting these statements is the
contention Of Al. j. Jennings, once
noted bandit. and who is now candi-
date for the Governorship of Okla
homa. who recently told the story Of
ms lfe and his experiences as CON
wet IN THE Saturday Evening Post"
Jennings says;
Part of my duty was to n,crrogste
the incoming prisoners concerning
Their private lives, and enter the an
swers on the proper blanks. Then and
there | had light on prison statistics.
One of the questions ran; To what do
YOU attribute your DOWNFALL? In nine
cases out OF ten the experienced pris-
oner answered. Drink Men who had
never tasted liquor. because they did
not like II, returned that answer just
the same, To begin with. IL was