The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-27
John Hoen.s Explanation.

Mr.. John Hoey, of the Adams Express
| Company. is reported as saying that he
\ settled the claim which that company
brought against bim because It had locked
! ap all of his available money by law suits,
and that therefore be had not the means
with which to defend himself
in the courts. That explanation
will not be accepted, though
Mr.. Hoey may think that it will enable him
to meet bis acquaintance and business
associates without appearing as il he was
no longer entitled to their respect. II his
defense had been a good one ne would have
had no difficulty in getting all the money
he wanted TO defend himself in the courts.
He would not have given up $500, 900 with
out struggle.
Another rich man, Mr.. Andrews, well
known in financial circles in New York,
who is president OF rich corporation, and
who, few weeks ago, was charged with
having a great many more shares of the
corporation than he was entitled to, has
settled" He found that it was much the
wiser course to give up the property to
which be was not entitled than 10 have the
question of his right to it tried in the
courts.
When such men as Hoey and Andrews
men who occupied places Of great trust and
responsibihty-are caught appropriating
the property intrusted to them 1t is not
strange that the impression gets abroad
that the percentage of really honest men
men who do not lie and steal when they
think they can do 30 without being caught
is comparatively small
But unless the public puts its stamp of
condemnation upon all who are guilty of
dishonest business transactions, or of dis
honesty Of any kind, the number Of rich
rogues Is certain to increase steadily. The
officer OF a corporation or financial institu-
ton, or a business man whether filing a
position of trust or not, who by crooked
methods or false representations gets posses
sion Of the property Of others is not entitled
to as much respect as a burglar, because the
latter has the redeeming quality Of courage.
| The officer or business man who robs those
| who trust him risks only his reputation.
| The burglar risks bis life and also term in
the penitentiary. And yet the public treats
leniently the man who has violated his trust
and wrongfuily appropriated tens Of thou
sands Of dollars of other peoples money and
thinks that Imprisonment in the peoiten-
taary is altogether too light a punishment
for the burglar.
A few days ago IL was reported that John @.
Emo, who, while president Of one Of theNew
| YORK banks, stole several hundred thousand
| dollars. was about to return to New York.
| If be should return IL is probable that many
prominent New Workers would give him
a cordial welcome and try 60 make him
feel that he was not a disgraoed man.
What better could be expected in city in
which aldermen who had accepted brides
could not be convicted
| But the unhealthy public sentiment which
excuses the crimes of rich thieves is not
confined to New York. 10 exists in all
parts OF the country, aud that Is why tAsre
are 30 many dishonest failures. Dishonesty
Will flourish as loua 81 society tolepates
| those who are dishonsb- 1t looks as IL men
and women who ase believed to lead honest
lives lacked the dournge to rsbnke vice and
crime