St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-05-01

with the embezzler and share his punish
ment. The example might be whole
some-[ Mont pelier Journal.
The punishment usually accorded to
| this class OF criminals may be statute
law, but it is fearfulIy inadequate, judg-
ed by the standard of sentences melted
out to lesser offenders. Some one steals
a very insignificant sum, comparatively,
and is sentenced to state prison at hard
labor. The one who recently looted a
national bank to the amount of nearly
G150 900, was given seven years with
out labor. Either the former is excessive
punishment, or the latter is wretchedly
inadequate. Until our criminal jurispru-
dence, as enacted into law, shall base the
punishment upon equitable terms and
conditions, just so long will skid glove"
criminals continue to steal thousands Of
dollars, and chance the light sentence
usually imposed, - which may, however,
be the maximum, so that the court is not
liable to criticism. Why a man should
labor in state prison for theft of minim
um amounts, and another "become
gentleman of leisure" in a house ofcor-
rection, for the balance of US to support
has ever been question the writer
could not answer.
1t is now time to "cry halt" not only
in the interest of justice, but to avoid the
loss of confidence. Already prominent
journal IN another state has remarked
that our monied institutions were on
trial. These repeated lootings of Yer
mont banks in exceedingly large sums
OF money,-must cease. Directors must
hold cashiers strictly to account, and the
prominence in political circles, and the
officers held by favor of the government
should not be allowed to cut any figure,
whatsoever.-[ Bennington Banner.
In view of the popularity which Cash
Ter Lewis retains in Vergennes under the
existing circumstances, as we'll as the
depleted condition of the Farmers Ma
tional bank, it is evident that heis man
OF taking ways Brattleboro Phoenix.
If the epidemic of bank looting con-
tinues in Vermont, our pride in the
soundness of state banking institutions
may take a considerable fall. By the
way it might be good scheme for every
banking institution in the state to under
60 an imme diate ground floor examina-
ton; not just peak over the surface of
things, but regular digging up of real
1t may not be impossible
that more loot sprouts are starting
Hard wick Gazette.
The popular sympathy for defaulting
cashier Lewis OF the Vergennes bank |
seems to be limited mostly to Addison
county and the friends OF Mr. Lewis. 1t
S hardly principle of ethics that being |
A good fellow covers like charity "a
multitude of sins. > Ludlow Tribune.
The people of Vergennes are enthusiast
icallv standing at the back of Cashier
lewis, so far as sympathy is concerned,
'ut they will feel differently about the
natter when it really begins to eat into
heir pocketbooks, so that they are able
o notice the Inconvenience which a de-
aulting cashier may cause Barre Tele-
ram.
When Cashier Lewis was a candidate
Dr. state treasurer it was limited by the
wicked opposition that he was not much
tinancier. That he was able to steal
,om his bank one and one.half times it's
otal capitalization before being dis
overed shows that this was a mistake.
1ven full charge OF the state treasury for
wo years Lewis would have had money
1ough to have paid the national debt
nd TO set up racing stables in England
Mortified News.