Knowledge of all such and sundry, with equipment with which to assure emphasis on essential values, must the criminologist possess, and be able to apply. He cannot have acquired specific means to that end a’circling in a swivel chair, and he won’t get anywhere with any kind of preparation while listening to other than the voice of reason, established in harmony with the cumulative study, observation and experience of mankind.
VI
LINKS IN THE CHAIN OF CRIME
Of “Bogy,” early-day champion telegrapher of the United States, it was alleged by those of his craft: “It’s Bogy here, Bogy there, Bogy almost anywhere.”
Blessed with an alert, incisive brain naturally coördinated with the quickest of terminal reflexes, Bogy was drawn to the key when even “duplex” telegraphy was a far-removed possibility. Also, he was rated an electrician when the “Electrical World” issued a fourpage sheet dotted with elementary diagrams and analyses, vulgar craftsmen would now pronounce kindergarten stuff.
As to natural gifts, it is probable that Thomas A. Edison hadn’t a very great deal the edge on Bogy, his contemporary; indeed, if tradition is to be accepted, both, when young, were afflicted with an overdose of inertia, though Edison even then spent much of his time dabbling with electrical instruments.
Edison, so the tale runs, stuck to the home base and to the dabbling, until there was born in him the desire to do something no other man had done, and to serve his fellowmen in the doing. In due time the “inertia” gave place to a power of consecutive, concentrated effort, matched but few times in the annals of human endeavor.
Edison finally reached the stage where he blessed work and was blessed by it; and to-day, when crowding close to four-score-and-ten, “Work is worship” with him, and none need expect his approbation who trains the clock eye, while measuring commensurate labor with sand that has run.