Perth Amboy evening news., 1904-06-09
is
PUBLIC TOPIC.
What Some of the Leading Pa
perS of the State Have TO
Say of His Case.

comment throughout the State during
the past week than the Valentine case
and the expiration of his term in State
prison. Following are some of the ed
itorials in the leading State papers:
Newark Advertiser
The expiration of the term of imprison-
ment of the bank thief and wrecker,
George NJ. Valentine, yesterday, was fol
lowed by his arrest on six other indict-
mcnts by the MiddlcseX Grand jury and
his release on 81, 600 bail.
Valentines robberics amounted to sos,
loco AS cashier of the Middlcsex County
bank and treasurer of the Perth Amboy
ISavings Institution. He ruined scores of
men, deeply betrayed and compromised
the bank directors who had reposcd every
confidence in him and destroyed in the
minds of many people all faith in bank
ing institutions. For these crimes Val
entine's punishment thus far has amount
ed to no more thar that of a man who,
commits Il two hundred dollar robbery.
The influences that awaited to protect
Valentine from adequate punishment i'll
1899 are active now in his behalf, Judge
Strong is still the law Judge in Middle
sex, but there is Il ne W prosecutor, and
Justice Fort presides in that circuit. 1t
is said the six indictments will be nolle-
pressed. Such a course would put an in
| iellible stain on the administration of the
terminal court in Middlesex. This CON
scienccless criminal deserves no clemency,
a1I should get non His release, to live
at ease upon the hidden wealth that be-
longs to his victims, would be a scandal
Ious miscarriage of justice.
Trenton True American:
The rearrest of Valentine, the bank
robber, is valuable rs showing contrition
on the part of those who railroaded this
notable band plunderer through on one
out of at least four possible indictments.
| Valentines offences were rank, and have
been succeeded by grievous hardships to
many persons only technically responsible
for IL participation in them. Justice will
| not be satisfied, or Il wholesome example
set, until his punishment bears some
relation to his offences.
| New Brunswick Times:
TO rehash the Valentine affair seems
very much belated. The indictments
have been pending for over five years and
could have been pressed at any time.
There are some people who declare that
the present proceeding looks very much
like II grand stand play or a blackmail
| scheme. In postponing action on the
matter Judge Strong showed good iudg-
ment. 1t is probable that the majority
of people, even the dcpositors i'll the
wrecked bank, are not clamoring for their
pound of flesh, and are willing to give
Valentine IL chance to enjoy his liberty
and lead a new life.
Hoboken O bserver:
George Nj. Valentine who stole S20S, 600
of the hard earned money OF the deposit
ors of the MiddleseX County Bank and of
the Perth Amboy Savings Institution,
must go back to Jail again and stand
trial on six more indictments, and jas he
pleaded non vult on the additional
charges it is probable that he will soon
find himself again in the state prison
ut Trenton.
" There is peculiar satisfaction through
Tout the state with Iris rearrest, for the
belief became very firmly fixed in the
minds of many citizens -four years and
Height months ago that there was some
thing like a conspiracy among influential
men in Middlesex County to get him off
with a very light sentence considering
| the proportions of his crime.
This was in Il measure confirmed when
he was sentenced on one indictment onl y
for II term of six years which, exclusive
of IL remittance for good behavior, he has
Just served. Many men might steal
500, 600 if they felt certain of escaping
with 50 light a penalty. The new pro
ccedings against the man vindicate the
law and give general satisfaction.
Camden Courier:
Bank Embczzler, George NJ. Valentine,
former cashier of Perth Anboy banks,
will complete his sentence of imprison-
ment on Monday next, and expects then
to regain his liberty, but the MiddleseX
prosecutor is waiting for him and will, if
he can, have him sentenced to more inn
= prisonment on the six indictments hang
ing over him. There is not much Chris
Itianity in that sort of proceeding, but it
. is no doubt justice, though its admins
t l|tration is peculiar. Valentine ought to
/ have been sentenced on all the indict-
? ments when first sentenced, and not
subjected to the cruelty of being SEN
fenced by instruments Detween breathing
spells of liberty. The man has been an
! ticipating freedom a return to his family
and perhaps the beginning of IA new life,
r and to have to return to prison for an