| Show J an agitation has been begun in england by the howard association with of regulating if bl the inequality of sentences fc would seem is a compromise between tho present mode of continuing to inflict tha minimum punishment upon repeated and the rather rigorous habitual criminals act cow in force but for tho alow processes of legislation no doubt there would be a speedy remedy of the evils complained of as the sentiment with humane and with magistrates favors cumulative punishment experience indeed has demon the of dealing alike with and original nl offenders when the offense is alike there seems to bo a necessity for sure but gradual of sentences as a most important clement in the suppression of crime A writer who has given the object long and studious attention bays whenever a first imprisonment has failed to secure its object it should never bo repeated the same ground should never be gone over again every sub bequert conviction should involve some definite increase of detection it is of comparatively minor consequence if the amount of additional punishment is but small ao long as it is certain to be greater than anyone previously undergone by the same individual it can hardly bs too often repeated or recognized that the main element in the repression of crime is not certainty real absolute certainty and in order to render this the more practicable it must involve moderation and gradation this sums up the entire question and suggests the most reasonable method of dealing with the persistent refractory classes ef criminals while it is not well to support the fallacy of utter depravity the fact of the noracy ge of some criminals must not bo ignored in schemes for the betterment of society there are characters who may not be reclaimed from criminal practices by any reformatory methods the wisdom benevolence or ingenuity of man have yet dei qed they are predisposed to unlawful ways and will be law break ers as long as they have freedom this class should be handled with greater severity than ordinary offenders and such is the nature of their crimes petty for the most part no surer or safer means of dealing with them than cumulative sentences offers itself it works no unmerited hardships upon a confirmed thief footpad or burglar to measure his terms of incarceration in proportion to the frequency of bis of fences and if this be done by gradations the public sympathy that maudlin sentiment sometimes arouses in behalf of conscienceless scoundrels would never be called into fuestion ou estion of the treat men is a good aien aign that the english public has taken up the matter and it will not be very long before the example will have universal adoption |
