Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-06-12

- 5AAs"AS ~. viz PiOSCCuS VI tutlT crime
The effect of the example did not
stop here, for.the merchants and brok-
ers of Boston are now endeavoring to
profit thereby. If the ''solid men of
Boston" think it the wisest course to
compound a felony if, thereby, they can
save few dollars, the courts and pros
ecnting officers of MASSACHUSETTS are
made of different stuff It seems but
yesterday, that the country was ringing
with the forgeries of James A. Coe. and
all Boston was apparently united in
efforts for his arrest and punishment.
For time, all thought of personal loss
and gain were forgotten, in the EARNEST
belief that striking example was need
eel, not only as a warning to others, but
for the protection of commercial. finan-
cial and business interests. The discov-
cry OF his crime was accidental, and in
yolyed only a small sum The magni-
tude of his operations were, however,
! disclosed from day to day; and, with
each day, showed increaaed proportions,
until the actual amount of his forgeries
were found to be three hundred and
twenty-five thousand dollars. The grand
jury commenced investigating his case.
one day last week, but, up to Friday
night, had not returned an Indictment,
| although it was understood they pr06d-
bly, would. There ought to be no doubt
/
about an Indictment, conviction and
! punishment, but there is 1t is stated
that even an Indictment could not have
been found but for the determined fore
sight of the district sattorney in i'm
pounding some of the forged securities
Unfortunately for the ends of justice, as
well as for Boston's reputation for COM
mercial integrity, it was whispered
about, and understood by Goes victims,
that if left alone, he could. and would
pay fifty per cent. of the money OBJ
tanned by his forgeries. This was
enough Business honor, respect for
law, the necessity for an example were
forgotten, or thrown to the winds; in the
mad strife to save a few dollars. The
merchants and brokers, who had beer
the loudest in their denunciations OF
Coe, and the most persistent in their de
mands for his arrest and punishment
suddenly lost their memory, aQd when
called to testify before the grand jury
could not remember anything in refer
ence to their transactions with COe, thu
nature and kind of securities left as col
teral, or, in fact, whether or not any
, were left. An indictment may be re
. turned Notwithstanding this cfimina
forgetfulness, but it is more than doubt
full whether he can be. convicted, emit
tied as he is to the benefit of every rea
sonable doubt. 1t passes comprehensive
how these men, winking at crime, if no
. conniving herewith and compoundin
1t, can be surprised at depredations
breaches of trust, bank robberes or 9th
, er offenses against property. In the OK
, element of stock transactions, and th
haste to become wealthy, what az ex
I ample to place before young men. i
! can have but one effect, which will b
, to teach men occupying places of pecu
q mary trust and fiduciary responsibility
, that the more startling their crime, tn
q larger the sum of these populations, ia
more easily they win escape punishment
] Thank God, Vermont is yet free tror
+ this method of offering a premium-fo
frauds, defalcations, torgeries and rot
berries The cases of Morton, Clar
and others show that the representative
of Vermont wealth believe that there
greater security in Furnishing than j
: compromising felonies. Long may it b
so. O..