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6 J. Am. Inst. Crim. L. & Criminology 83 (May 1915 to March 1916)
Genius and Eugenics

handle is hein.journals/jclc6 and id is 95 raw text is: GENIUS AND EUGENICS. W LLIAM N. GEmmILL.1 In discussing social problems as they relate to the future, we are met by two propositions: First: The earth is becoming over-populated, and the time is rapidly approaching when mankind will not be able to produce enough from the soil to properly feed and clothe the multitude. Second: The race is degenerating to such an alarming degree that unless radical measures are taken we will soon disintegrate, as did the ancient dynasties. Those who raise the first alarm, point to an increase of popula- tion in every Eurbpean nation, in most of Asia, and in all the coun- tries of the Western Hemisphere. At the same time they point to a decrease in production, in proportion to the population, which means a higher cost of living. The alarmists of the second class urge upon our consideration the growing pauperism throughout the world, the increase of criminals, of the insane, of the feeble-minded, the idiotic, and all other forms of defective and delinquent humanity. In re- sponse to this cry the Eugenist is demanding all kinds of remedies for evils that are both real and fancied. The most frequent one pro- posed is some sort of limitation upon the power of reproduction. To justify this, they urge not only the increase of crime, but assert that most of our criminals are such, because they have either inher- ited a tendency toward crime, or are so physically and mentally defi- cient as not to be responsible for their criminal acts. In the same manner, it is-urged that the insane, the feeble-minded, the epileptic, the blind, deaf and dumb are such, because they have inherited a blood infused with an evil virus which has brought about these conditions. It is not intended in this paper to discuss at length the question as to whether or not crime is increasing in the world at large, or, if so, what are the causes of it. It is sufficient here to say that from all the- records obtainable, both in Europe and the United States, a . 'Judge of the Municipal Court of Chicago.

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