Ways of Living.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 411, 31 March 1904, Page 2

Ways of Living.

A COLLEGE OF BUBGLAEY. gjrgT i 8 unfortunately tree that the progig fusion of burglary has hitherto suf2£g fared disparagement in the public mind. To admit one's self a burglar has been to lay one open to reproach. The calliag has not been held on a parity with banking, plumbing, stock-wrecking, and the kindred professions. We do not believe that this is doe to the intrinsic demei its of the profession itself ho mnch as to adventitious circumstances and a CBitain mental warp in the public attitude towards it. Certainly it hai not been publicly encouraged, though it is under. Btood that the civic officials and police departments in some countries have come to a more friendly attitude towards it, and are giving it at laat the chance which is its d 4«j. Bat suoh sporadic half-hearted end rseruent will not materially aid the profession, which is at present very much run down at the heel.

To say the truth in a nutshell, what it needs is a thorough reorganization. With proper encouragement to an infant industry, burglary would become a recognized honourable profession, just m are the law, stock-raiding, selling medicine, and being a home employment agent. It ia perhaps unnecessary to point out that the burglar must be endowed in no usual degree with courage, coolness, sangfroid, skill, patience, and a cheerful philosophic disposition. He must be possessed of imagination balanced by practical hardheadedness. The generalship that wins battles must be his, for he is pitted again sb the best brains of the twentieth century. Enterprise must be the motto of the Knight of the Jemmy. Not one man in a thousand has in him the necessary qualifications to make a successfal burglar. The great safe-blower, like th«i major poet, must be born, not made. But, if burglars of genius are rare as Fierpont Morgans or De Wets, yet operators of talent might be produced in greater number than at present if due care were taken in their selection and education. Many a man living a humdrum life as a bank cletk or a newspaper editor might have been a shining light in the fascinating profession of the Jemmy and his early opportunities equalled his native capacity. The trouble is that at present the burglar grows up at haphazard, selfeducated, not Instilled with the proper principles of his profession. He takes no is on est pride in the life work he has selected. As a consequence educated men are deterred from entering it. Thsy find other branches of spoliation safer and more attractive, the emoluments more certain, the hardships less severe. The foundation of a College of Burglary would eliminate to a large extent the factors which deter a mbitious and energetic young men from following this alluring profession. . For one thing, it .would engender a very desirable esprit de corps. Again, the students would be taught not only the merely mechanical and scientific aspects of the calling (which atone at present are earned, and these only in slovenly fashion), but would inculcate those great underlying principles whicb can lift the profession to the place which it ought to occupy. Eminent specialists would lecture on Wealth, its Production and Equitable Distribution, the Duty .of the Jemmy Knight as related specially to its Distribution. Banks and their Methods of Protecting Depositors. The University idea would be adopted, since the result to be achieved would be the all-round development of the pupils rather than any merely technical attainments. Chairs would be established in Banking, Stock Jobbing, Criminal Law, the Formation of Trusts, Ethics (considered both in relation to the Pablio and to the Profession) and Casuistry, as well as Invention, Manual Training, Mineralogy, Destructive Explosives, &<s. With such a College in existence the public might confidently rely on the passing of the present unsatisfactory conditions. Inept students would be gradually eliminated from the College and found positions in the ordinary business pursuits more suited to their capacity. Householders would consequently be robbed with neatness, despatch, and efficiency. Their gold and valuables would be extracted without pain while they slept, and they need be under no apprehension lest any awkwardness on the part of the operators should disturb their Blumbera. The Burg., lare' Union would bar from the profession all bunglers. In fact, a degree from the College of Burglary (8.8, Bachelor of Burglary) would be a sine qua non to practitioners,