The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1894-05-17
WHY THIS DISTINCTIONS

" H0h UdHu VI tIdIlpS, CTdnKS, IN
dustrials, commonwealers- them
what yon will-seizes a freight train on
the Northern Pacific railroad there is
speedy rallying of the forces of the law.
the federal troops are called out, the
bandits are arrested, and virtuous news
papers all over the land violently de-
nounce the culprits as conspirators
against society, outcasts and anarchists.
when stockholders in the same rail-
road accuse certain of it's directors of
having robbed the road of S1OOOOOOO
and proceed to prove the charge says
The Chicago Times, "the accused take
comfortable trips to Europe, the virtu-
Gus newspapers pass the matter over
without editorial comment. and the at
titude of the general public is one of
amused admiration for the bright fell
lows who enriched themselves at the
expense of the stockholders.
"Why this distinction of crime?
Why is it anarchistic to steal a train.
and shrewd business to steal railroad.
execrable villainy to wreck an engine
and clever financial exploit to wreck
corporation? While the business
world and a vast section of the press
hold to these distinctions they need not
wonder at the growth of another school
CT thought-equally mistaken-which
holds the corporate right of property
IN such slight respect that it justifies
the forcible seizure of trains for the car
rage of destitute persons, and the de-
struction of railroad property for pur
poses OF intimidation of employers.
IF the Brayton-Ives faction which is
pushing the inquiry into the fitness of
Thomas Cakes to be receiver of the
Northern Pacific Railway company sub
Stimulates its allegations, some very
eminent, wealthy, educated and dishon-
est men ought to be treated as the
destitute and deluded Hogan, who stole
train, is likely to be treated. Instead
OF going to Europe some of them should
II the charges are proved, 90 to the peni-
Tertiary. Directors in the Northern
Pacific Railway company are charged
With having organized a dummy" COM
pany, which acquired at cost of about
SS,OOO,OOO the Chicago Terminal, now
owned by the Northern Pacific. AS
directors in the main road they then
ordered the purchase of this terminal
for S1o,5OO,OOO, and as stockholders in
tne dummy corporation, divided up
the profit of over 100000 they had
taken from the treasury of the corpora
ton In which they were directors.
While the accused directors have not
as yet presented their defense the pros {
ecutlon is making out a very strong
prlma facie, although hampered some
What IN marshaling its evidence by the !
mania for taking journeys TO {
Europe, which has seized upon several ,
OF the parties to the deal. t
such crime as is charged against t
Oakes Willard and other parties to this {
suit is infinitely more scoundrellv than t
mere highway robbery. Entrusted with l
the funds and property of thousands of t
they-if the allegations
be true-deliberately turned into their ,
own pockets 100000 of revenue
which should have remained to the G
credit OF the corporation. AS a result S
Of such tinanciering the railroad thew )
is in the hands of receivers
and the United States authority is ap =
Dealed to to maintain those receivers in
cutting down the wages of the work T.
men, who ask only fair pay and not op-
oortunity to rob the company of mill
ons. b
Bad as the Northern Pacific case is !,
is not wholly exceptional. The plum. a