The Aristocracy of Crime.

Observer, Volume X, Issue 629, 17 January 1891, Page 3

The Aristocracy of Crime.

Why is it that the arreat of a scoundrel of position or family always causes a ' painful sensation,' while the * running in ' of an ordinary ruffian gives rise to feelings of satisfaction ? There were pssans of praise over the capture of that poor devil, Small, who tried to borrow a florin from F. G. Ewington, and who got a year in gaol for the rash attempt ; but there was a ' painful sensation ' when Mark Rawlings was dragged to prison on the charge of stealing about £1200 from the needy orphans of Auckland. Methinks the newspapers in general would do well to revise their phraseology in dealing with criminals. Poor ' Mister ' Rawlings is in delicate health, too, according to the Herald, which would evidently like to work up sympathy on his behalf.

Perhaps 'Mr ' Hall, the wife-poisoner, would like a spell at Waiwera ; possibly ' Mr ' McLean, the burglar, requires a better diet than GaolorEeston provides ; and peradventure ' Mr ' Small suffers from home-sickness ; but they have no friends in the newspaper offices to awaken public interest in their sad condition. Of course, Bawlings has not yet been found guilty, but his treatment is the same as that of any other accused person who cannot find any of his quondam friends willing to go bail for him. . Pending the trial of Eawlings, the Judge ought to be fixing up this calculation—lf a year in gaol is the proper punishment for trying to borrow two shillings, what is the proportionate sentence for a man who may be found guilty of stealing £1200?