New-York tribune., 1885-09-19
THE UARD CASE.

Tho examination of Ferdinand Ward pro-
ceeds slowly, though the developments have
been sufficiently interesting, and the public will
no doubt be thankful for the statement, so long
delayed. which reveals The names OF at least
some Of those who shared the "profts of the
brilliant young fnanciers original enterprise.
But what the public would most like to know
is. whether there is any prospect Tor the re-
eovcry of the large sums of money which IL Is
now frankly acknowledged we're SIMPLY pald
away to persons in the ring" and for the re-
tention of which indubitible punder those
nersOns can have no better claim than they
would possess if the property had been the pro-
ceeds of highway robbery or burglary. lhe
coniding and good -uatured public have been
assured that explanations are forthcoming
which will completely demonstrate the inno-
cence. integrity and good faith of those who
arc af nresent in DOS ossession of Wards plunder.
We can all afford TO await these promised
calculations. however strong may be the pre-
yniling sccpticism as to their probable value
and force. But it is really impossible to
perceive how any conceivable explanations can
affect the obvious fact that all this transferred
property was stolen.
The connection, in Official capacities, of any of
Wards silent partners with the investigation
of his affairs. and with the legal proceedings
through which if at all, justice is to be secured,
is not calculated TO strengthen belief IN the I'M
partiality of the procedure, to say the least.
The fact that this connection has not been con-
ccaled by some of the persons concerned may
perhaps be regarded by optimists as somewhat
reassurng, bnt we venture 10 express the
opinion that the majority viii find in it another
reason for vigilaut observation of all that Is
done. So far the progress made toward resto-
ration is even slower than that toward rctribu-
ton, and since there is no longer the least room
for doubt as to the true character oi WARD 5
business operations, this is not an encouraging
state of affairs. Ferdinand Ward, according to
his own confession, obtained money under false
pretences, and gave it away for no considcla-
ton. This being the case, it is really an i'm
portant - well as an interesting question
whether the persons who received this stolen
money are To be permitted TO keep it. II the
state of the law is such that they can retain i,
in spite of every revelation now made, the con-
clusion can hardly be avoided that the attempt
to punish such proceedings as Wards is mis-
take, and that they ought TO be openly recog-
nized as among the legitimate ways OF money
making practised at tho close of the nineteenth
century in one of the most highly ciyillzc
countries on the earth.
If property so obtained can be lawfully kept.
and if. moreover, the keeping of property so
acquired does not entail any oblOGuy or social
condemnation upon those concerned, 1t would
seem to be time that all prctences OF regard for
a moral law were abandoned and that the in
justice of retaining upon the statute books
stringent provisions against theft and receiving
stolen property should be recognized. II is 10
be hoped that the approximations which are NOW
generally entertained to the tendencies
of the pending proceedings in the Ward case
may not be justified, but before the public can
regain any confidence in the outcome they will
require some indications, however slight, look
ing toward the surrender, or the recovery by
any means, of the stolen property.