Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-28
wall Street Victims.

The victims of Wall street are num-
bered bv the thousands, but the public
hears only Of few Of them. These few
are those who find it desirable to seek
residence in Canada, or who are CON-
PEELED to wear striped suits and spend a
few wears IN the peGitentiary at hard
labor.
On last Wednesday, in the United
States District Court room at New
Haven. a dramatic scene was witnessed.
Three men who had been held in the
highest esteem in the city
Of Norwich, Connecticut. and who had
moved in the highest social circles, stood
before the venerable Judge Shipman, IN
the midst of their weeping families and
friends, to be sentenced to prison. Ihey
had been bankers and had the reputation
Of being wealthy. One had been bank
president and the two others bank cash.
iers. They had robbed the banks Of which
they had been trusted officers Tor many
years. and had used their stealings IN
Wall street speculations.
They did not fully realize,
perhaps, the danger they incurred When
they took the funds of their respective
banks for the purpose Of specializing with
them. They felt confident Of success.
and expected, of course, to return the
money they unlawfully used. The
market went against them, and they are
now wearing striped suits in the peniten-
tiary. Although comparatively young
men their careers are practically ended.
II they should live out their terms Of i'm
prIsonment they could never again hold
up their heads in the community OF which
they We're once honored members. They
will be too old when they shall have put of
their prison clothes to begin life anew in
another community with any prospect OF
success. Indeed, it is doubtful if they
could ind place in the whole country
where their stories would not follow
them.
OF course there are those who pity
them. There is always a great deal Of
sympathy for those who having held
prominent social, business or professional
positions, rob those who have placed con-
tdence in them. If there were less sym
patty, perhaps, for wrOng-dOers OF this
class the class would be less numerous
If the punishment Of such crimes as they
commit were prompt and certain, deial-
cations. embellishments and other breach
es of trust would be much less frequent
than they are.
The friends of the criminals are not to
be blamed, of course, for wanting to KEEP
the knowledge Of their crimes from the
public or for trying to shield them from
the consequences of their acts, but 1t Is
the duty not only Of the authorities but
of all who feel an interest in the welfare
of the communities IN which the crimes
are committed to see that the truth is
made public and the wTOng-doers pun
isbed.
1t Is estimated that since 1879 the peo-
PIE of Connecticut have been robbed by
dishonest bank officials of over 100000
Patience with them has ceased to be
virtue. and they have determined, evil
IDENTIFY, to make every crooked bank Off
Ger pay the fun penalty of his crime. i
/ they had pursued this wise course from
/ the very first there would be fewer dis
/ graced families in the State and fewer
I people who have been robbed of theil
hard-earned money.
Ii men Will gamble in Wall street they
must be taught that they cannot gamble
with impunity with other peoples money
/ Confidence is absolutely necessary in the
business world, and nothing tends Sc
much to destroy confidence as the dis
honesty OF business men. Fear of pub
/ LEFTY and punishment is the only thing
/ that can be relied on Tor protection
against weak or dishonest men in respon-
| sihlp nnsiiinns.