Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-02-05

indicted for making false returns to the
comptroller Of the currency and June To-
1851, pleaded guilty TO the charge, and was
sentenced TO six years at the workhouse
Numerous other indictments have been found
against him, and il has been thought by
some that his imprisonment was on the
charge Of embt zzlement which is not the
case. The most important letter to the Pres.
dent recommending that Waite be pardoned
was by Col. A. F. Walker, who was appoint.
ed referee in the case Of the bank against the
Waite estate in insolvency. Here Col Walker
states that the true facts in the Brattleboro
bank wrecking we're never brought out until
the insolvency trial, when mitigating oircum.
stances appeared, particularly the fact that
Waite did not appropriate money to his own
use but attempted to patch up the affairs Of
bank, which was broken when he took hold
Of IT, and that bis greatest fault was in not
facing the situation and admitting that il was
worthless. The bank was started in 1864,
with $500, 900 capital, half Of which was the
supposed assets Of an old bank and Col.
Walker found that Waite continued to falsify
on the books and TO the directors to make
the business appear sound. He spent all his
money aud was penniless man when the
crash came
when at the height OF his prosperity
Waite was regarded a. remarkable hnan-
Nitt huu was tue lthuluk blNlh'u VI Nluuuhu
county in business and social life. He held
more prominent Offices than any one man
there, and was trusted with money matters
by many. When the crash came his failure
involved loss,s to many who bad trusted him
with money, so that the feeling toward him
changed from that OF almost absolute wor.
ship to the most bitter hatred, and since the
efforts for a pardon have been on foot, a
strong remonstranoe was sent to Washington.
Waite will probably leave the state a. soon az
his health will permit aud with his wife will
live at the homs of his daughter, who is a
successful school teacher. However much
may be said about the justice OF the pardon,
II is certain that Waite is a broken.down man,
total wreck physically and mentally, and
the few years he may live will be far from
happy.
"a Herald reporter went to the workhouse
this morning Saturday with the news Of
the pardon. Mr. Waite was asleep when the
reporter went into his room, but woke up
and the news was told him. He did not
seem to be greatly affected in any way, but
said that he had not expected the announce
ment at this time. He said that be did not
want to talk about the matter now. He was
sick, and nothing he could say would do any
good. The Brattleboro newspapers and
some others had made good deal OF fuss,
and be should only make an unpleasant mat
ter worse"
From this it is evident that the Rutland
parties who are concerned in the movement
make no secret Of their connection with it.
In some quarters the names Of l. w Reding-
ton, Dr. Hanrabsn and b. b. SmAlley are
confidently mentioned as being among those
"other prominent citizens" who asked for the
pardon.
1t has come to lie generally known here
that the Brattleboro men who endorsed the
movement we're eI Gov. Holbrook, n. F.
Cabot, DR.. Post and Col. Austine. None OF
these gentlemen meant their action to be in
any sense a justification of Mr.. Waites career
in the bank. Their action vas prompted by
sympathy for his wife and daughters aud
was entirely conscientious. Persons who
had the best good of the family at heart were
distrustful OF the move, aud refused to coun.
tenance it Their feeling WAS largely shared
by Mrs Waite, but all the information at our
command leads US to believe that j. G, Bar
relt son OF the eI judge, scorned all opposi-
ton and remonstrance, and laughed at the
idea that the scheme could fail, believing,
evidently, that a letter bearing the signature
! OF T.. >. fneiPb Woulu De hH-poWeFul Win
the President and command bis instant and
obedient compliance.
That these persons to whom we have re.
ferred were right in their view the event
abundanuy proves Had Mr.. Waite really
been pardoned and released, his prompt re-
arrest would surely have followed; but those
who were most active in pushing the case last
Saturday say explicitly that if be serves oui
his term and then does not in any way az
front the sentiment OF this community, but
quietly takes himself out Of the way, no one
will be disposed to give him further trouble
1t is the seeming or attempted condoning Of
his offense by pardon that is objected to.
The events of last Saturday must have shown
Mr. Waite very accurately just what is tn,
sentiment of this community toward bin.