The morning call., 1894-10-21
AN ACCUSING FINGER.

The fact that certain men have sue
ceeded in robbing the public of millions
through the process of watering stock
does not justify any other men in robbing
chicken-houses. The only point of rsSem-
blance between the two classes is in the
fact that both are violators of laws which
lie at the foundation of society. When
law ceases to protect honest men and
women in the enjoyment of their earnings
the social fabric will fall. Undoubtedly,
however. the fact that men do acquire
millions by violating laws affords petty
thieves an excuse for their conduct by say
ing they are not as bad as the wholesale
robDer. As a member of society, the small
rogue considers himself sufferer from the
lawless operations of the big rogue. He
argues TO himself that there is 20 great
harm in trying to get back what he has
been robbed of, though lie cannot reach
the actual offender. There is no sound
basis for this argument, but ii is used all
the same. The fact that one man has
broken a law does not in the least justify
another man in pursuing a like course.
When we stand in the presence of the great
Judge such feeble excuses will seem very
feel bic indeed.
There is, however, a certain satisfaction
in the bare possibility that great rogue
may be brought to justice. The possibility
often vanishes, but when it appears again
we hail it with pleasure. No one knows
what may happen. Lightning often plays
at random, but occasionally it seems to
serve a purpose.
The indictment of certain Santa Fe rail-
road officials brings within the horizon of
hope a possibility that the lightning of
justice may be uDor purpose bent One
of the objects OF the interstate commerce
act is to give industries in all parts Of the
country an even show so far as Transports
tion is concerned. 1t forbids transpoIta-
ton companies 10 charge one shipper more
than another for equal service. The me-
cessity for such law became apparent
when the Standard Oi Company froze out
all smaller refining establishments IS through
an unholy alliance with transportation
companies. The alliance was in a moral
sense an act of piracy. IT large ship
ping firm were authorized by the Govern
ment TO fit out swift cruisers to prey upon
the commerce of competitors, the effect
would not be more deadly than a com biua-
ton between a large producer and a
petitors OF the producer are Disseminated
against. The producer who is not thus
favored finds himself undersold at all
points.
An experts examination of the books
| Of the Santa Fe Company finds a shortage
of $7,000,000, aid it is supposed that this
amount has been paid certain shippers in
the form of rebates. Ostensibly rates
would be the same to all, but in reality
| favored parties would secure a portion
| back while other parties would not. The
| law is clear against IL, but it is doubtful if
! there are any large companies that have
| not practiced 1t. The interstate law has
been considered law 20 be avoided if
possible, and judicial decisions relieving
officials from an obligation to give testl-
| mOny which will tend TO eliminate them
selves have made evasion possible. 1t is
not probable that anything will happen to
the indicted officials beyond the expense
of a defense. There are too many part
ners in the nefarious business. If wedge
unholy combination too many heads would
be in danger. But something is gained
when the authorities look even with un-
! friendly eyes upon violations of law. The
presence ef Acknowledgement Olney in
| the National Department of Justice for
bids the hope that the corporations he has
served so well can be reached, but even
Mr.. Olney cannot prevent an accusing fn-
ger from being pointed at them.