Daily Republican., 1879-05-10
Petty Dishonesty.


The obtaining OF money under fraudu-
lent pretences is as much Of a crime in
a moral sense as stealing, and yet there
are many whe hypocritically coudemn
theft as an almost objectionable crime,
WHO are every day making an attempt
% filch their fellow man out OF his hon
ct and hard-earned money. This kino
Of dishonesty is carried on by many
who hold high soca ard many times
civil and political positions, "n" ''"'ef
various disguises. These Thoughts
arose in our mind not long since as we
were told of a man, a very affable and
polite one by the way, and ons VINO
for many years has held positions
Of honor and great responsibility,
who was guilty of obtaining twenty
five dollars by such glaring false repre-
ssntations that makes downright pocket
book snatching almost respectable.
1t seems that man whose name IS
familiar to our citizens unfortunate
" had a brother in New Castle jail, who
was serving ont term Of years for lar
c,py, and he was anxious to have this
brother pardoned. but being apoor man
and suffering socially by being broth
ar. friends were scarce and money
which is very necessary in such cases
was still scarce. A willy politician
hearing of the desire of this man to
have his brother pardened, represent
ed that he had unbounded influence
with the Governor of the State and all
that would be required would be for
him to speak the word to his Excellen
cy, when the bolts of the prison would
fly back, the doors open and the broth
er would enjoy the liberty for which
he and his friends sighed, but there
must be little consideration put into
his hands before he undertook the task.
By selling double barrelled gun and
some other articles of value which he
could but lily spare, the required
twenty five dollars were put into the
hands of this man who was to intercede
with the Governor. Time flew but the
prison doors did not fly open. The
term of the Governor expired and 50
did the term of the convict, but, the
pardon that was promised to be forth
coming never made its appearance.
Not long ago the thought occurred
to gentleman who knew of the affair
referred TO, that he would ask the Gov
ernor who then resided in this city, why
he never pardoned the convict after
such powerful influences had been
brought to bear upon him by one whom
il- had honored, when more to the sur.
prise of the Governor than to his interro
gator, it was found that no application
had ever been made for a pardon from
ANY source whatever. This man who
pret nds to detest thefta and crimes oi
all grades, deliberately pocketed the
twenty-five dollars, and never made a
single effort for the release Of the pris-
oner as he had promised. 1t is a pity
that there is no law by which such a
MN could be made a substitute for the
convict.
Tnis is only oae isolated case, but
lnst such caars are occurring every day.
Confding people are lilched out of their
har earnings by designing khaves,
and owing TO the influence of the latter
or tue little brief authority committed
to them they are never called upon tt
answer for the glaring frauds com
mittei upon unsuspecting and con,
fidlng persons. Several parties apply
ing for divorces have been served in the
same manner that the man who wan
ted his brother released was served
having paid their money and aftel
vaiDly waiting for their cases to com,
beforn the courts. as a last resort they
have had to apply 10 the Leg stature
This se.-lns almost like a personal mat
ter, but We have not been specific, anc
five can by this article only induce
DO ne over coniiding individuals wht
ara in trouble to re careful to whor
they pay their money TO get them or'
Of trouble, We sh all lie satisfied.