The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-05-09
SWORD OF DAMOCLEs.

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 Has Been Convict.
 The question of whether it is possible ever to efface the effect of transgres' sion has been raised anew by the cast of one "Bellairs." newspaper cor respondent, whose critics in the New York papers are now trying to 2nullify the effects of a, book he has published by showing that he was once forgel and swindler and served a sentence ir Florida for obtaining money under false pretences.
 There have recently been other sim liar instances, where attempts were feet the future of the man. When Capt Schmittberger came up for promotion in New York few months ago it was found that he was a self-confessed blackmailer by his evidence in the Lex CIV police investigation. People took sides at once concerning the fitness of such an advancement. but the view of Dr. Parkhurst, that his past record should not count against him, finally prevailed, and he was appointed in spector On the other hand, a recent instance is familiar to Rhode Islanders. An appointment as United States con- sul was withdrawn because an old charge of misconduct, which resulted in the candidates resignation from the navy in 1873, was raked up and used against him effectively.
 Two instances came to light in a Massachusetts city recently which il- lustrated the principle that sin cannot be lived down. A stranger came to town and soon rose to eninence through his activities in church work. He appear ed sincere and was certainly. humble, even though he became the most active layman in certain denomination. Suddenly he dropped out of sight, and then tke record of his past was un- rolled. He had been a convict, and when the fact became known in the city he could not face the result so he ran away. It was then learned that he had begun his new life in a monas- tery to show his penitence, before he dared resume his business life again. But in spite of his sincerity he was again lost to the world, largely because some inquisitive person had taken the pains to probe his career. In the other case the custodian of funds in a finan- clal institution apparently lived hap py as well as prosperous life until one day he was drawn into lawsuit where the opposing side brought out the fact that he had been an embezzler. The news came like a thunderbolt, for the man had the confidence of the public. But in this case the directors stood by the unfortunate man. and he was al- lowed to remain, although no doubt they audit his books a little more care- fully than they did.
 In another city man who had held a high position in business and society embedded and deserted his wife for g. woman who took him to France with her. When she had betrayed him to the officers and he had served a sen- tence in prison he returned to his native city to begin life over again. But he soon found that his old friends would not forget, and although he is per- sistently trying to maintain g. business he is a social outcast.
 The moral in all these cases ought to be perfectly plain-tfe man who has forfeited his manhood can never expect complete reinstatement to the social and business positions which he held. The offense will hang over him like the sword of Damocles, ready to descend whenever he comes into notice and en- vious neighbors can release it. If he is content to live quietly and does not seek preferment he may escape, but the stain is not usually eradicated and remains constant menace to achieve ment through life.-Providence Jour- nal