The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1906-03-02
RElGIMIScRNcE, PUNISHMENT,
CAUSES. -


exactly a year ago. The trivial Ocea-
sion which set of the explosion was a
fancy dress ball in February Of 1905.
What a contrast Rejane, dancing,
costumes, spectacular fun and wealth,
the aggressive surplusage of prosper
ity. And now? The contrast Is almost
too dramatic. The priest with his sac
rament hurries to one president, whose
death is FASTENED by humiliatiSa Ana
other lies, broken in constitution, in q
sanitarium. Another sells his goods
and lands, preparing for exile. The
giver Of this ball is in voluntary exile.
Several secondary officers are in invol-
untary exile. And-so ironical is Heav-
en-what started the mighty house
keeping was social and not business err
rors. Here is Fate's sequence: Hyde's
ball. then Alexander's letter, very quo
table, calling attention to Hyde's love
Of limelight, of display, of fiattery, to a
manner Of life not conducting to public
confidence. Then followed the contest
between Hyde and Alexander, and the
cat was out and jumping.
If anybody had been asked, year
ago, to name an invinciple financial
trinity, all of us know what the answer
would have been. If so much can be
done in single year, and without panic
or calamity, with stock-market prices
steadily rising and unedualed CONNER
cial prosperity, it's a hopeful sign,
with cheering differences. The public
is frequently pessimistic if reforms do
not happen with sufficien speed. The
excitement about postal frauds has
passed, but George w. Beavers has
just gone to join Machen, Lorenz, the
Golf Brothers, McGregor, and Upton
in the penitentiary, for a two years
visit. The outcome of the Slocum dis
aster was far from satisfactory, as the
most guilty parties to the crime could
not be reached, but one man at least
has suffered as an example. The pub
lie and the press have complained loud .
ly about the deliberate procedure, in -
the insurance matter, of District Attor-
ney Jerome, Mr.. Jerome is not man
to be coerced. He acts when he is
ready. The problem which confronted
him was complex. AS there were ma
ny concerned in the misdoings, and only
a limited number of convictions needed
as warning it was his duty to consider
many things: moral guilt, legal guilt,
the influence on the public, the attitude
Of the companies, the effect on the
various companies and their business;
for the penalties and loss to the COM
Danies should be as far as possible ev-
emily distributed, since it is in reality a
prevailing state of things that is being
attacked, rather than the iniquity of i'm
lividuals. Criminal action has from
The early stages of the revelations been
, necessity, but caution and q clear
read have been necessary also. It's
rot hurry that we need, but wisdom,
Justice, and the successful termination
If prosecutions once begun.
Insurance corruption had its root in
general ethics. When Judge
Parker made his charge about the con-
ributions of corporations to Republi-
IAN campaign funds, just before the
asst Presidential election, Mr.. Roose-
'elt denied with great indignation that
from unfavorable legislation
vas promised in return; the implication
'eing that the party might in all virtue
ccept such contributions if no promise
we're implied or made. Now what does
his distinction mean? The officers Of
n assurances company are forbiddeR,f
" law and by any sane conscience, to
make such contributions. They do
make them, and the political party ac-
epts them. The trustees take away
he money Of the oenefciaries, the pol
-icians put it in their pockets, and the
transaction is presumed to be right pro-
ided the policy-holders get nothing in
eturn for the loss imposed upon them.
{ they do receive any recompense, the
distraction of their funds Immediately
ecomes a wrong. If man who so no
ably represents public opinion in Amer
"a, and the better half of that opinion
an nut forth reasoning such IA this