The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-08-15
SHALL THE LARGE CRIMES 60
UNPUNISHEDs

better: heretofore when millionaire or |
a rich man by some reverse of fortune
has become suddenly bankrupt, and
obliged to surrender his palatiaI resi-
dence, his family brought into straight
ened circumstances, there has been
widespread sympathy for his misfor-
tune. People do not take into account
whether his downfall was caused by
stock gambling, or unlawful specula-
ton, but condole with him for the loss
of so much money. When a man not
accounted rich, but only of limited
means, loses his all at a gambling
table, people call him fool, and say,
: Just right for him; he should have
known better than to stake his all on a
venture to make money" Besides
this, when people of moderate means
are found guilty of fraudulent dealing
in property of any sort, they are pro-
eeeded against in the courts, and made
TO suffer tie consequences of their dis
honesties. But how many Of the
Wall street millionaires who have for
years been engaged in the fraudulent
business of dealing in worthless stocks,
running thousands of innocent people
have been brought to justice? Is it
because they have occupied high posi-
lions in the circles of trade that they
are exempted from the penalties of the
law? If it be not that, then what is
it? The wreckless adventurer who
rushes into business on fictitious
capital, not with the expectation of
making money out of the more shrewd
classes of men, but relies on his ability
to encompass the innocent and unsuSr
pecting, such a man is entitled to no
mercy when forced into bankruptcy.
but deserves the most rigorous penalty
of the law. Investigation proves that
men of this infamous stamp were
among the operators in stocks in Wall
street during the late failure which
brought financial ruin on so many in
nocent parties. A broker robber is no
better than highway robber, and de-
serves the punishment melted out to
the latter The law against fraud and
theft, on the part of those who receive
money on deposit, is sufficiently En-
plicit: those who squander, misapply
or appropriate TO their own specula
tive use funds which they have re-
ceived in trust for others are helC
criminally accountable for losses. This
safety of society demands the stric
fulfillment of moral and legal obliga-
tions of this kind. The spectators
who make a hundred thousand to {
half million day, by operations il
stocks and securities, can hardly b.
counted as honest men; in every sucl
case some holder of property has beer
taken advantage of, or deceived for tn
want Of information intentionally with
held. The legitimate and honest courses
Of trade do not warrant, except in extra
ordinary cases, the realization of great
fortunes in an hour; the discovery Of
a mine of mineral treasure may be an
exception. There is growing senti
ment with intelligent people tina
stock gambling, which has grown tt
such gigantic proportions in New
York city that not long since it came
| near producing money panic in the
whole United States, must be punish
ed. It Is a sorry condition of affair:
when few millionaire gamblers in a
single city have it in their power I'll
disturb the equanimity of trade from
ocean to ocean. While the law deals
with smaller criminal offences, it
should hereafter give attention to the
arger.