The Salt Lake Herald

Crime in a Great City-

New York has grown, of late years, in numbers and wealth. Indeed, its increase, in both respects, has been phenomenal. But it is to the credit of the metropolis that as the population increases crime decreases. The various agencies for fighting the criminal class have proved so effectual as to make life and property safer in New York to-day than they were twenty years since.

In 1874 there were 84,821 persons arrested for criminal offenses in New York. In 1881, 57,135, a decrease of twenty per cent, although the population of the city had increased largely in the mean time. We might have a column of figures showing the falling off of offenses against personal property, but they would be out of place here. One particularly gratifying fact is the improvement in the condition of poor children, as shown by the falling off in the number of young criminals. Indeed, all the offenses included under the term "Juvenile delinquency" show a steady diminution, notwithstanding the increase of our population. This gratifying result is due to our industrial schools, the transportation of uncared-for children to the west, and the other benevolent agencies which were unknown twenty years ago. It is satisfactory to find that organized charitable efforts is effective in dealing with the problems of poverty and crime.

It should not be forgotten however that hard times, that is, want of remunerative employment for the people, has a great deal to do with offenses against property. Extreme poverty does tempt to crime. This is shown by the history of all periods of depression.-Demorest's Monthly.