The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1888-08-02
A Righteous Verdict.

AS will be seen from the proceedings OF
the court, published elsewhere in to-day,S
Chronicle, Chas. +. Cross, late President,
and SamI G. White, late Cashier, of State
a note on W. II. Saunders and ID: Ii: Graves
with intent to deceive, and of uttering the
same For this they were sentenced, cross
to seven years, and White to five years hard
labor in the county WOrkhouSe. The dit
ference in punishment is doubtless due to
the fact that it was proved that Cross made
the forgery and White assented to 1t, ana
also to the difference In the ages OF the two
parties.
citizens applaud it and say that 1t is just.
These men, holding high fduciary posi-
lions, were convicted of a crime that lies
| at the foundation of business security. 1t
! does not change the intent that the men
whose names were forged to the notes lost
nothing. The crime remains, and the pun
! ishment of those who committed the crime
was essential if law and justice are to rule.
II has been the common remark through
out the State "Oh, Gross and White VIII
not be punished. They held responsible
positions They were big men. The law
will never reach them, but it they had
Would Vunn p be infected This kind OF talk
was heard everywhere. From the hrst
the Chronicle said that there was no posi-
BILE way for THEM to escape punlsnmei.t iol
their crime. We knew the sense or justice
that controlled North Carolina juries, ane
we felt certain that they would meet thell
lust deserts. Neither position nor money
can buy justice III North Carolina courts
and whoever says it can again Will De
guilty of libclling his State and Its judi
ciary and jurieS.
, But while these men have been con
yicted, and the verdict is regarded as
righteous one, recently developed fact
have served to win them sympathlzers
The condition of the bank for several year
is shown to have been such that it was no
a solid institution. Its emOarraSSmen
doubtless first caused them 10 make falS
+ entries and to forge notes. Ihey prooaDI
hoped to make them good when bette
times should come But better times die
not come ruin stared them in the face
5 and in their desperation they fled to Canad
to escape the consequences OF their wrong
doing. carrying with them about SO .O0t
While no statement that they have made
e excuse for their crime. the weakness an
5 embarra ssment of the bank certainly nit
, gates the offences with which they ar
: Charged. They did not make those falls
b entries or forgerieS to rob the bank, but l
o make it appear asa solid institution. The
n did not commit their crimes solely for sell
: ish PURPOSES. The surrounding circun
stances and the desperate straits in whic
o they found themselves impelled them
: wrong-doing. They had not the courage
o remain at their posts and make an hone:
statement. They added theft to their othe
e misdoings They left Raleigh secret,
d carrying with them stolen money: liner
d is no sort of way in which this flight ca
be made to look we'll. And yet, takin
l the terrible condition of the bank into COZ
q sideratiou and their offences against tt
b National Bank Acts, they did what man
n other men. similarly situated. would hay
done Raleigh STATE ChF0nscse.