The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-30
A RIGHTEOUS REFUSAL

governor HIsse44, o. MASSACHUSETTS. mas
refused 70 pardon the bank robDer. Dun
lap. and President HARRISON has refused 20
pardon Harper, the Ohio bank wrecker.
Harper IS IN the peuitentiary because he
wo-shiped 50 fe-vent!y q; the shrine Of the
golden calf and the golden hog that be
recklessly stepped over the line that sepa-
rates legal swindle and business piracy
within the law; he was 50 greedy tina. his
intellectual and moral eyesight became
myopic; he leaped without taking dis
tance correctly. and tuubled into the u.
OF the penitentiary; he wanted the earth
and won q prison, where, thanks 10 Presi-
dent Harrison's frmness, be viii stay for
some years 70 come.
President Harrison last spring with
equal frmness declined 70 promise John
c. Emo immunity from prosecution If be
returned to New YORK city, which he soon
proposes 10 do. 1t is for such conspicuous
rascals g: Fish. Harper and Emo that ex-
traordinary efforts are always made TO Sc
cure pardon. because they have wealthy
friends who are able 10 employ influential
lawyers and politicians TO intercede for
them. No pardon ough. TO issue ever
10 such felons. They are great swindle-s
who seldom receive sentence COM
mensurate with their crimes and the
large measure Of the Ugh. they sinned
against. They are generally notable in
stances OF men who, after rising by
legitimate mercantile industry and finan-
cial talent 70 an honorable position and
the possession OF large wealth, fall victims
al last 70 al overmastering greed for
money. They bait hook with a swindle
and so angling for suckers with money
in their mouths. Finally the cunning
angler makes q miss.ep, falls into the
water himself and Is socially and fnan-
ciaily drowned for life beyond resusci-
taiion.
These men generally have vas. deal
more money than they can possibly need
for themselves and their families, We. they
recklessly stake the results OF q long life
Of seemingly honorable success, stake ab-
solute security Of high socIa. and business
standing TO the end OF their days, against
the desperate chance Of marketing the
swag of a swindle and potting il down
without detection, or al least without legal
punishment. They 81 best belong 20 the
same class Of morally rotten persons who
are victimized by the sawdus, swindle;
they coErUptly bargain for and expect to
receive and circulate counterfeit money,
and are always very sorry when they some
times, through the treachery OF confeder-
ates, get only sawdust for their invest
ment. When not the original contrivers
Of financial fraud, they contribute
10 the success Of the swindle BIZ
methods that no honest man would en-
ploy. They not seldom escape the clutches
Of the law, and IN one conspicuous in
stance, the president Of the City bank. Of
Rochester, y. Y, stole 500, 90. was con-
victed merely Of q misiemeanor and sen.
fenced 20 six months in the penitentiary.
man Of large capacity for public mis-
chief beirays great and important public
trust and gets the same sentence that
poor devil OF small capacity 10 harm any
body out himself gets for turbulent week
OF debauch. The bummer's sentence nav
not be TOO seve-e-very likely the enforced
sobrietyis good for him and for the state
bat what must ignorant, honest men think
OF the integrity and impartiality OF the
machinery Of human justice, when
they see bank president rob his bank OF
500, coo and get no seve-er sentence than
boisterOus hummer gets for very demon
s;ratlve drank" sure way 10 make
rough, ignorant men lawless is TO LEI them
see that rascality and crime are only
severely punished when their authors are
poor and ignorant, and therefore socially
and politically powe-.ess, The spectacle
OF an intelligent, capable man OF fine
moral opportunities and large response
hilities goiEg unwhipt of justice. while the
extremity OF the law IS melted out 20 the
comparatively poor, ignorant, weak,
friendIess and irresponsible offender, is
calculated 10 bring law into contempt and
increase crime, because iliiterate men grow
10 believe that there is no absolute right or
wrong; that might. transient, fortuiious
might, is the only right; thar money IS as
a. powerful. in courts IS in commerce.
No more dangerous doctrine can be
iaugh: than thar Sc. forth in the object
lesson OF rich rascal getting OF with
light punishment for his crimes, o. get
ting stern punishment only TO have Il
robbed Of al significance for righteous
justice by speedy pardon. And for this
reason the pardon Of such fe!ons Is bank
robbers and devourers Of pecuniary trusts
never ought 10 he granted. Whether 4
bank Is robbed from without by profes-
siona! burglar or from within by an official
who uses his opportunity as custodian and
executive Of the trus, 70 rob i, you always
have criminal OF superior inteIli gence
and intellect, and therefore Of most dan
geFous quality. \ bank burglar is always
nan 81 superior brains and inte.ll gsnce
He IS skiliIal mechanic, man Of nerve
daring and address; man OF patience,