The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-10-06
CRIME AND PURITANISM.
What is Called :. Highly Respectable Crirsc'
in Connecticut.

from the Hartford cournnt, Oct.Sl
John j. ConkIin cashier OF the First National Bank of
New Milford and OF that tewu. was and for
aught told is stil member Of On Orthodox Evan
gecal church. BE was, moreover, ecacon--deacon,
town treasurer cssierall his fellow citizens evidently
thought him honest man. /" He Lad ALWAYS borne
an excellent reputation told seme.hal super
uousy for had right to infor IL from the posi-
tsns he held Every possible Influence a social and
business life constrained him 10 DO au honest man.
Tho poor devils porn INTO ana s.no.nasa %. oy
sometimes and into the penitentiary they are dan
gero1s men, though Iabody trusts them. The pieso-
pher who puts himself aside their moral Daiures and
studles the pressures that have workad
them IRON infancy Is much surprised to ind Their
wckedness taking shape that the law can seize. b.
finds il necessary punish Them partly in the hope OF
REFORM but chiefly in order to deter them and their con-
panions Bat whcn he comes 70 the case Oh pescou
very BEST thai educated Christian community and nm
Evangelical church can do Tor men IN forming their
characters c0d>ndsng them about and propping them
up there is something so unsound in the maxlms ana
OF commercial life that the best human naturs We
crimes. He calls for nstan, aud severe punishment.
Tho community needs It, There Is not man among ns
who does not need about him all poss BILE inducements
bate and dread crime The people who commit ihsc
offences already too numerous; but who knows how
how sorelp tempted and driven. before, be-
hind every sde and just manage, by rejecting upon
honor, reputation rcglon law punishment the froxns
OF friends the awful frowns OF God TO keep their
hands clean and live like honest mcn9 they require
and desire the projection OF law for their own sakes
Deacon John J. Conkln was not suffering for lack OF
the means Of living, but ne wanted more money. He
stock speculatons in New York. In some operations
he made money; In others he lost heavily-n one
venture as much as $4,000. he stole more, 'hoping
all the time y be able to retrieve bis lossssn To con-
cea his thefts he was Obliged to mako false entries
and then m,re Of them and more SIN aud when rs.
mosciess time brought around bank ssioners and
directors examining his accounts though doubtless with
what they deemed almost useless tormality, he was
obliged TO that his entries and statements
correct And he stole also the money OF the town
$50 600 from the bank and $4,000 from TIC town. the
total Is
The suspicious OF tho bank teslcr were aroused by
discrepancies In the accounts and Friday night,
September "a, Deacon Conklin was charged with his
crimes by the bank officers and made full confession
The Ltchhed Eaqires's report says that there
great dislike to proceeding TO extrcmes with him on
the part OF those who had suffered most, and
learn that on Sunday night sort of informal meeting
was held of those interested and OF the members of
the church TO which he belonged before whom made
full confession and expression OF his his
crimes. Such the compassion felt for him that
they CONSENTED to his leaving without prosecuton
when he proposed going awny that night IL Is said
that that he even advised stay and 20 away ike
q man in the morning. Accordingly be left in the down
train Monday morning, september 80, having pre-
viousy made all his property amounting, II Is
supposed to about $500 10 partially thefs
On the next day. October LIST, Sheriff Lamorcc, OF
Pouchkeepse. New YORK. ielegraphed to snerif Bots
ford Of Lchhed that he had arrested John j. Conkln
adding, "what shall do with hims'' III reply was
"Hold Conkin until you hear from me In the morning.
And then Snsrin Bosford tcegraphcd Daniel aarsn
president OF the New Milford bank 81 have received
Conklin DO you want him heds Answer WHAT the
answer was not Informed but the morning OF
tho ~, MT bOkS0ru tc1c4rapneQ 10 Shcriu iAnO
1.-THE officers OF the bank say they have not or
dered Conklins arrest You communicate with
Daniel Marsh. New Milford, president bank"
John J. Conklin committed q OF great crimes
The state says that whoever shall commit such offences
shall suffer Imprisonment in the Connecticut State
prison for term less than two than ten
years. Conklins ncighbors and friends may iosyivc
him, but they have no authority 10 tender him tho
states ioIs,eness. Only the General assembly c'n
night members OF their church and represented that
church for the purpose Of getting him OF the
naftg nd htr, tf.ax a
uses OF church organization and brought It into dis
credit SO far as they represented the bank
community they brought only discredt upon
either. The best evidence Of conkn's penitence
and the most satisfactory atonement would be his
prompt and voluntary submsSon to trial and mprison.
out whining or apology Had his church prehrsn I'D,
vised THAT course they would have commanded The r.
q h n., ,s, S. saTap 1 doe, gs sn
after the discovery OF his crimes TO hold this
and ihoy counseed him to greater boldness IN facing
stand better In the estimation Of society then they They
have not helped him; society condemns bis crime as
strongly as over ou, addition every friends. abird
The conduc. Of those who couusscd Conkin 70 rud I
away. who are chiefly responsible for permitting il,
will be universally condemned, with exceptions pos.
ulby among those who are somewhat demosazed by the
lax tone OF what sometimes called Cuisines |
morals" The state cannot AFFORD the reputation OF |
speaks more loudly than whole volumes OF preaching
not really believe In the justice and nescs-
nty Of these laws, so far you and your |
trends concerned. You rank yourselves |
among the bsttcr classes OF the community, and you
help your friends TO avoid the law while you send
aiI" This the stigmatized flower classss' may say,
how will the Frst Bank and the First church OF New
Milford answer ~ The greatest injury has not been
committed in New Milford by Deacon Conk1in.
II Is not an exceptional case There has not been
respectable man. sent 10 the pensntsary from Hart
lord these fifteen years. though there have been dozen
OF gross frauds theft and defacatons, 70 the
iamago or banks and Insurance. companies, and |
evsra cases OF forgery BY men who stood high
community and In some cases In the church.