The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-01-15


ment and the whole administration have
been placed in disagreeahls position By
no fault Of their cwn.
In saying this Ne are only imputing 70
Mr.. staggs . natural error Of Judgment:
We do not impugn the sincerity Of bis pur-
pose TO lead . good life or the integrity OF
his performance since be made his COM
mendahls resolve. Furthermore. ne be-
hsre that there is sound pubic policy IN
mercy and charity a. there certainly is
sound public policy in swift and memorable
punishment for wrong-doing. Mr. Stagge
has served his sentence for his wrong
doing, and when . wrong-doer does that
msnfuily and sincerely sets forth 20 lead
. new life every cecen: man should ex-
tend him the hand Of good-fellowship and
humane help 20 long - he squarely follows
the flag Of righteous endeavor.
Mercy to such Q man il not only justice
and humanity, but IL is sound public pol
Icy. II every first offender against the
laws of society is made TO feel that IN adj
dition TO his punishment he has forever
lost the confidence of bis fellow men, that
there il 10 hope for any man after he once
commits q crime and suffers legal punish
ment, then We have simply served
notice on the young. the weak and the
foolish that ''once q criminal always q
criminal. and have made 1t impossible for
man after punishment for his first ofense
that he should ever reform. He is shut
out from decent employ rnent; he il spurned
by respectable men: he il driven by the
inhumanity and injustice of society either
to suicide or 10 . resumption of a life of
crime. The law recognizes this fact when
it deals leniently with youthful offenders
who for the first time have broken the law.
and Furnishes with stern severity persons
who have become professional criminals.
1t is both fearfuliy unjust and inhuman
and fearfully expensive for society to
make II difficult or impossible for man
who has suffered for bis first offense to
lead a new life. 1t is sound political econ
omy rs well a. Christian humanity and
justice not to make il difficult for o man
who has once done wrong to afterwards do
right.
1t was Jesus who said, "Neither do
condemn thee, sin no more" We do not
believe in helping offenders against the
Law to escape its penalty by legal sharp
practice or sentimental appeals to stupid
or silly juries: the Law should be vindi-
Gated, but when the man has atoned to
society for his wrong doing by suffering
his punishment, 1t is both humanity and
al f>> 49, Al HI L>tI A.
to the man and help him to the higher
levels of righteous life and honest en-
deavor. There was Q man by the name of
Angel who embezzled large amount of
trust funds in Rhode Island and fied to
Europe. He voluntarily returned, pleaded
guilty and served out his severe sentence,
refusing all offers Of pardon. saying that
he could not begin new life with good
conscience until he atoned something
to society by suffering the legal pun
ishment for his offense. When
he left prison he obtained decent
employment and never relapsed into evil
courses. Many years ago there was
bright promising young fellow employed
as a subordinate by the county clerk of one
of the great counties Of Central New York.
This young fellow. who had custody of or
access to the seal of the county. was per-
suaded to violate his trust so that some
rascals by illegitimate and criminal use of
the county seal swinded the county. The
young clerk was tried for his breach of
trust aud received severe sentence.
While he was serving 1t he declined an
offer of pardon, and on his release went to
Wisconsin at an early day. He studied
law. became an excellent lawyer and, be-
cause of the singular fairness of his mind,
his general uprightness and in genuous-
ness. his reputation for absolute prooity
and purity. Was made judge. He served
for many years IN this capacity, and was
idolized and trusted by men of all parties.
IL was observed that he always showed I'M
usual emotion in the trial of q criminal
case. Then came a very hot election, ana
some politicians from a neighboring
county finding ont this early blot on
the youth OF the judge attempted
to defeat him for reelection by
preparing to publish his fault. The
leading men OF the county. both Demo-
Gratis and Republicans, assembled; the
judge was Intercepted and admitted that
the charge was true, and then the meetin =
decided that a man who for more than
thirty years had nobly and successfully
struggled to lead an exemplary and usefu!
life was too good man to De .mutted to
death by the publication of the only step he
had ever made from the path of rec;itude
and they babe the otiicious visiting politi-
clans to get out and stay out. saying that
the judge had been for thirty years q splen-
did citizen without reproach; that his
thirty years Of good life since he WAS %
years of age had amply atoned for his
youthful transgression. The story was
not published and the judge was triumph
antly reelected, both parties voting for
him.
Mr.. stagge. il he has told the whole
truth and nothing but the truth, can at-
ford 70 stay in Portland and continue his
efforts TO lead an honorable life; his mis-
take Sas in leaving Comptroller Eckels in
Ignorance Of his record when he applied
for place OF public trust Comptroller
Eokels Was entitled TO his confidence. and
Mr.. stsgge has only given IL to him when
compelled to do 50 BY exposure. Never.