The Scranton tribune. (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, December 20, 1902, Page 13, Image 13

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    THE SGRANTON TRIBUNE-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1902.
13
)
ATTORNEY DARROW'S
: : NEWEST BOOK
nKSIST NOT EVIL. Uy Clnroneo 8.
Darrow. 1'ubllslieil by Climios 11. Iforr
& Co., Clilcngo. I'rleo 73 cgiitss.
This Is a ncutly bound volume of 170
pages, exceptionally free from typo
graphical errors unci mechanically well
executed. The author Is by thltf time
well known In our city, tind Uioho who
havo hntl the pleasure of hearing him
lecture foci that he Is a man of deep
reflection and great sympathy. The
best key to an understanding of this
Volume Is Intimacy with the personal
ity of the author. Clarence S. Darrow
is an Interesting person and conies an
ileur realizing the philosophy and
teaching of the gospel of non-resistance
as any man we have ever known.
Mr. Durrow Is a student, an admirer
and an Interpreter of Tolstoi. One' of
his many Interesting lectures Is on the
einlrient Russian author and philoso
pher, with whoso works he Is perfectly
familiar. This volume Is one of the
results of that study and the author
confesses that It was Inspired by the
writings of Tolstoi, "the first nuthor
who ever seemed to place the doctrine
of non-resistance upon a substantial
basis."
Upon the philosophy of the great
Russian Count, then, our author con
structs his argument which, in'slxteen
brief chapters, defends the doctrine of
rmn-reslstance. The style Is lucid, epl
gramatlc and at times eloquent. It Is
a severe arraignment of our civiliza
tion, which the author believes Is based
on barbaric force, but the chief pur
pose of the work Is to show the mis
taken treatment of ciime and crimin
als, as practiced by modern society.
The first four chapters deal with the
state and the means at Its command
to enforce its decrees. These, our
author denominates the productions of
brute force. "The state was born In ag
gression, and the rulers of ancient am
modern times aecmlre their right by
foree and cunning and intrigue."
33 very government "hns used its power
to divide the earth nmongst a favored
few and by force and violence to keep
the toling, patient suffering millions
from any portion of the common boun
ties of the world. Armies and navies
are organized either to keep In subjec
tion the people of the land or war
against foreign foes. In both cases It
Is the exhibition of brute force and en
genders hatred, malice and passion In
the souls of men. The result is the de
su action of the body, the death of the
5ouI, and the sovereignty of the ruling
class at whose command the military
forces are. Against this the author
protests vehemently by stating that
"no nation can be really great that Is
held together by Gatllng guns ant no
true loyalty can be Induced and kept
through fear."
Civil government is placed by the
author in the same category as mili
tary power. It rests on violence and
cunning. He sees Interwoven in nil
our social fabric the idea of punish
ment, of force, of violence, and is
astonlhhed to find that, hardly any one
sees that "nature, unaided by men's
laws, can evolve social order, or that
a community might live In measurable
peace and security, moved only by the
natural instincts which form the basis
and render forcible communal life.
Ills conclusion Is that "those who vio
late the laws of communal life will die
or leave no descendants or weak off
spring to be the last survivors of their
line."
The remaining twelve chapters deal
yHi crime, criminals, the mode of
punishment and the right way to treat
this anti-sorial class. Mr. Darrow
gives us here the result of his observa
tion and reflection and the reader will
find in this section of me work many
rich thoughts upon one of the most
vexed questions of our civilization.
Crime, according to our author, Is
n relative term and changes with the
jige. What in one age Is commendable
lit another Is criminal and what Is
h rong to one class may be performed
by another with Impunity. For this
reason it is impossible to be sure about
1he commlslor. of the act, and never
possible to fix the moral responsibility
of the person charged with crime.
The criminal Is the creation of
"heredity and environment nnd Mr.
,I)uirow severely criticises his own pro
fession for Its prejudices nnd futile
work In summarily condemning the
criminal without seeking out the
causes of crime nnd tracing them to
their sources. Ho has evidently read
specialists on criminology nnd Is famll
'av with the (I actuations In crime nc
:otdlng to the economic condition of
ihu people. lie believes that the crim
inal belongs mentally and physically
to an Inferior type and that "certain
sections of the world are Indigenous to
men who kill their fellows." But not
withstanding this the author believes
that "if work were sufficiently plenty
or remunerative, both Jails and alms
houses would be compelled to close
their doors," and his analysis of the
cause of crime leads him to the con
clusion that It Is the production of tho
Industrial condition of society: "It 1b
only when the owning closs has been
established and the exploiting class
grows up that tho jail and the peni
tentiary become llxcd Institutions, to
bo used for holding people In their
place,"
He repudiates nil punishment for tho
reason that It accomplishes nothing.
To punish the criminal on the quid
pro quo principle Is, to the author,
vengeance, pure nnd simple, and can
only be vicious In Its effect. He be
lieves that no criminal was ever im
proved by punishment and that so
ciety In Its effort at devising humane
means of punishment and In its anx
iety to reform persona shows Itself
thoroughly ashamed of Its work. Ex
ecution, to him, Is murder and a viola
tion of the commandment "Thou shalt
not kill." Punishment Is vengeance,
which fact becomes more clear every
day and society marches to one Inevit
able result, "the abolition of all Judg
ment of man by man."
This position Is still further confirm
ed by the consideration that tho crim
inal Is the production of our social or
ganization which rests on possession of
property, the Imposslblity of just judg
ment In the case of criminals, the In
fallibility of courts of justice and of a
judiciary and the Impossibility to mete
out punishment according to the nature
of the crime.
"The cunning man without strong
convictions of right and wrong can al
ways find ample room to operate his
trade inside tho dead line the law lays
down M as a rule, it
Is not only the weak or the
extremely conscientious or de
voted that violate the law, and it does
not follow that this or any other class
really Intend a wrong or consider it In
any such light as their judge, when they
commit an act forbidden by the law."
Men commit crime because of their
feeling, emotion and passion, which
alone are responsible for the deed; and
If the vast majority of criminals were
I to reflect and give place to the action
of conscience, they would not enter into
the affair. There Is no Justice in human
punishment unless It is based upon
the theory of Intrinsic evil in the vic
tim Every criminal is a man and his
i condition is largely due to clrcumstan
j cos and if we truly diagnose his case and
consider his motives, he Is not worse
than the man who goes uncondemned.
"When we look at the criminal In the
jail, the malice, tho hatred, the want '
of human charity that dwell In our
hearts" rise like a fog and hinder us
from seeing the man in him. "The
criminal Is always the man we do not
know or the man we hate."
Because of these reasons, the machin
ery of justice, as exercised this day,
is mischievous and productive of great
evil. It does not hinder crime It rather
encourages it. It is a raid against the
poor man, who, falling under suspicion,
Is cast into prison, iand when brought to
trial, both judge aud jurors look upon
him as a guilty man: "Innocent or
guilty, It is a miracle if he escapes and,
in thl3 miracle, the fact of his Innocence
or guilt plays but the smallest part."
"All prosecutions are malicious and all
judgments are meted out in anger and
hatred." I' Is today, as ever, the ex
pression of force and never falls to
bring evil results. It should be done
away with for it only adds to the sum
total of human misery and intensifies
the bitterness and hatred which are
found among men.
Thus having found the criminal the
creature of circumstance, and the ma
chinery of justice such as cannot dis
pense justice, the only remedy remain
ing to reclaim the criminal is that of
love and sympathy; "if tho child or the
man is taught his right relations to the
world, nnd feels the love and sympathy
due his fellow man, ho has no need of
written codes; his acts, so far as those
of mortals can be, will be consistent
with the light and happiness of his fel
low men. And this not through fear,
but because he bears the highest atti
tude toward life." "Hatred, bitterness,
violence and force can bring only bad
results they leave an evil stain on
every one they touch. No human soul
can be rightly reached except through
charity, humanity and love."
The book Is not a scientific treatise
on tho criminal nnd the science of pen
ology. It Is rather a popular and phil
osophical discussion of the general sub
ject and thrown together without much
logical sequence In the treatment of tho
theme. The author confesses that the
criminal must bo studied scientifically
which has been done by eminent crim
inologists In the last fifteen years, but
the conclusions of some of these spec
ials nra not accepted by Mr. Darrow In
his doctrine of non-resistance. One
cannot help feeling that tlto moment
one believes In the scientific study of
tho criminal, one should also Im will
ing to abide by tho results of the Inves
tigations nnd take them ns his guide to
action. UUt one point all the specialists
agree with Mr. Darrow's conclusions
that punishment ns meted out by so
ciety Is little better than useless and
often Is Itself criminal.
One bf tho characteristics of the nu
thor Is to overstate actual conditions
In' order to give a bold prospective to
his position. Take tho following ex
amples! "Nature, unaided by mans
laws, can evolve social order;' To
punish a human being simply because
ho has committed a wrongful net, -
(Is) more detestable and harmful than
any casual Isolated crime." "We hang
and pen these unfortunates (criminals)
because they have grown ns tall, nfl
large, or as symmetrical ns tho ordlnnry
man." "In the judgment of the courts
the betrayer is rewarded, the man i of
character and, worth condemned." The
largest part of what is used In dally
life Is controlled by combinations whose
solo purpose Is extortion." "AH our
merchants nnd tradesmen frantically
call out their lies In every form that
they may sell their wares for a larger
price than they are really wortd." "To
the just all souls are really white.
"Blood and misery and degradation has
marked the administration of punish
ment." "It Is simple madness that
doubts the justice of past condemna
tion and believes In the righteous judg
ments of today." These are examples
of exaggerated statements found In the
book which startle and irritate and yet
add zest to the work.
The optimism of the author Is worthy
of admiration. As a lawyer he has seen
much of the seamy side of life, and yet
the keynote of his book Is the inalien
able worth of man and the criminal to
him Is a man In whom burns the di
vine spark and which Is capable of be
ing reclaimed and saved If properly
treated by love and sympathy. "No
heart Is so pure that It may not be
defiled and hardened by cruelty, hatred
and force, and none so defiled that It
may not be touched and changed by
gentleness and love."
According to Mr. Darrow, society is
largely responsible for the criminal.
This is very true and every student of
crime agrees with the author in his
statement, but, as in every ouier uc
partment of life, there are classes ot
criminals, yet the author makes no at
tempt at classification. The Importance
of such a classification has long been
shown by Ferrl and Colajannl. The po
litical criminal may, as Benedict said,
be the homo nobllis, hut this type is
very far removed from tho instinctive
criminal, which is a moral monster. In
tho one class we place the Christ; In
the other such monsters as Cagllostro,
Iiacenalre, Burke, Walnewrlght, etc:
Between these two extremes stand the
criminal by passion and the Insane
criminal. Each of these classes re
quires distinct treatment and the ap
plication of one specific treatment to all
is condemned both by science and rea
son. As far as society is responsible for
crime, it behooves all to co-operate in
removing the obstacles in the way; but
they are criminals by instinct. Lom
bro'so has called them "born crimin
als." Against this class uncompromis
ing hostility is cherished by every
healthy soul and the gospel of non-resistance
will find few advocates as long
as this brood traverses the earth.
"Resist Not Evil" is well worth read
ing and every student of society will
find in it much that is of interest and
true worth, however much he may dif
fer from the author on the main thesis
of the work, tho futility of punishing
crime in any lorm. i-eier xoueria
WORLD'S COAIi PRODUCTION.
In a report in tho Trensury Bureau of
Stntlstlcs Is given tho dovelopment of
coal production of tho world. In 1810
tho total production was but a littlo over
45 000,000 short tons. In 1850 tho produc
tion was 83,000,000. In I860 it was 144,000,
000. During tho last thirty years and
oven earlier, tho combined coal output
of the United States, the United King
dom and Germuuy have averaged about
llvo-slxths of the coal supply of the
world. Tossesstng but a tenth of tho
world's population, they have produced
about S3 per cent of tho mineral fuel,
while tho remaining 90 per cent of tho
worla's Inhabitants have produced about
17 ricr cent.
Whllo tho contiued output of these
threo countries has kept paco with the
production of tho rest of the world, their
relative position has been materially
altered. In 1SGS tho United Kingdom
productd over threo times as much as
either tho United States or Germany, tho
output of these countries being approx
imately 52, 14, J, 2. In 1S.70 the propor
tion was about tho same, although tho
United State3 had tjalned on Germany us
a coal producer. Uy 1875 the percentage
43, SO aud 15 of the. tho world's produc
tion. The output In HS0 showed a re
markable inciuuse In America, and a rel
ntiva deCrcaso In that of Great Britain,
being M, 2b nnd 17 per cent. In ISM the
output of Great Britain and Ireland was
34, tho United States 20, and Germany
19.C. In ISOa the output of tho United
Stulcsi exceeded that of Great Britain.
In Vi1 tho ptirecmtugo of the nations
stood: United States 34, Great Britain 28,
and dctmnny V.i.2, and thero is no prob
nblo prospect that the United States will
loso her ascendency for many years, If
ever. In 1901 tho totul output or tho
world was SCG,IC3,00O tons.
r Four
II A. 1 44 UACMMHVTAM Am
luESSBBSSM
COMPANY
Days
Only "f
For Christmas shopping and we still have plenty of gifts
to choose from. In the majority of cases we have no duplicates,
so if you have decided what you want, get it today. Chances
are it won't be here next week.
OPEN EVENINGS UNTIL CHRISTMAS.
i
Thermometers
Whether for ornament or use a thermometer makes
a very acceptable gift. We've some very fine thermo
meters that combine these features. Then we've some
very odd thermometers. Any way, you had better look
them over before you complete your gift list.
Easel Thermometers, floral decora
tions G5 to $5.50
Easel Thermometers, gold decora
tions $2.25
Easel Thermometers, Art Metal... i $1.00
Turkey Foot Thermometers 35 to $1.00
Animal Thermometers, including
monkeys, bears, frogs, birds,
dogs, cats, deer and lions....'.. .35 to $1.00
Metal Aft Novelties
Wc call them this for want of a better name. They
arc odd, attractive and, an important feature, low-priced.
You'll be surprised how good they are.
Bronze Figures, dogs, horses,
mounted horsemen 50 to $1.30
Card Trays $1.30 to 1.90
Ash Trays 25 to 1.00
Smokers Sets 1.50 to 3.00
Gold Pitchers 1.50 to 4.25
Gold Picture Frames 75 to 2.75
Japanese Gongs 1.25 to 8.25
Paper Racks 1.25 to -2.25
Sleds and Skates
We examined a great many makes of Sleds and have
selected the best as regards quality of material and fine ap
pearance. They are made to stand the hard usage of the
average boy. Cost us a little more this year, but we have
not increased our prices. Every Sled new stock this year.
Boys' and Girls' Sleds, 95c. to $-4.50.
There's no question about "Barney & Berry" Skates
being the best made. We've a very complete line of styles
and sizes. Boys' and Girls' Skates, 60c. to $4.75.
Fine Cutlery
Our Cutlery Department is a store in itself. Here's
just a list of articles and prices to assist you in choosing:
Star Safety Razor $1.50
Star Safety Razor Sets $2.25 to 15.00
Curley Safety Razor 2.00
"Tree Brand" Razors 1.25 to 2.50
, Traveling Razor Set 3.50
Pair Razors, in case 4.50 to (5.50
Seven-Day Razor Set 13.00 to 15.50
Manicure Sets 3.00 to 19.50
Scissor Sets 2.75 to 5.50
Sewing Sets 3.50 to 15.00
Pocket Knives 50 to 12:50
Torry's Razor Strops 25 to 2.50
Chafing Dishes
Something that is almost indispensable in the modern
household economy. Just a little nicer aud with more im
provements this year; such as the long handle on theN
water pan.
Our Special Dish $-1.50
Other Dishes $3.5a to 10.50
Spoon, Fork and Accessories.
Baskets
We don't know of any article thaVs quite so much in
demand in the house as a basket. This year we have
somewhat the finest assortment you ever saw.
Scrap Baskets $ .25 to $2.50
Work Baskets, unlined 10 to 1.25
Work Baskets, lined 25 to G.50
Candy Baskets 10 to .50
GREEN TRADING STAMPS
isBBBBBBBBsKH!9Eiv9iKriiBSBBBH
nw.-i; -!V.-rriL.. .:.-" ihm ''w ." .ry
iSUKMMMriM
CHristmas Gifts for Musical People.
Only one week more in which to make purchases. Come soon and have the advantage of making
your selection while stock is complete. You certainly ought to find something suitable in the list below.
f
Pianos. Organs, Angelus Piano Player, Regina Music Boxes, Victor Talking
Machines, Guitars, Mandolins, Banjos, Violins, Leather Cases for Musical
Instruments, Music Cabinets, Music Rolls, Music Stands, Metronomes, Lead
ers' Batons, Harmonicas, Cornets, Collection of Instrumental or Vocal Music.
1
We have a few ERASABLE MEMORANDUM BOOKS left. Very handy for using as a shop
ping list for ladies. They can be had for the asking as long as they last. .
M
IS
isRtsSlSA
snfftw
SSBHl:i.'?S2asi
L. B. POWELL & CO.'S MUSIC STORE. Hf
131 and 133 Washington Avenue, Scranton, Pa. tJr
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