The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1913-11-14
The Pardon of O'Neil.

There are only three newspapers in
Idaho to the best of our knowledge
and belief which are violently opposed
to the pardon of B. F. O'Neil. They
are the Wallace Press, the Weiser
Signal and the Payette Progress. The
former newspaper is owned and oper-
ated by local enemies of Mr. O'Neil
and its opposition is to be expected.
The other two are opposed on gen
eral principles. The Tribune has pub
lished from time to time comment on
the proposed pardon from the Poca-
tello Tribune, Grangeville Globe, Am
erican Falls Press, Kootenai Demo-
crat, Harrison Searchlght, Vollmer
Spokesman and other state papers
which would indicate that the pardon
would meet with the approval of the
public. We take the following from
the Richheld Recorder, which we'll ex-
presses the general sentiment of the
press of the state
Few of even the professional I'M
combed and dirty-shirted wealth-hate-
ing orators have been more insistent
than the Recorder that rich malefac-
tors who violate the laws for their
own gain should be punished COM
mensurate with their crime To whom
society or the law gives the most is
imposed the higher, more scrupulous
obligation-the theory of the income
tax, of the responsibility and integrity
of rulers and officers. And the maw-
kish sentiment that would excuse vio-
lence or wrong in the rich without
compassion. for the poor offender, that
has tears for sorrows in silks and jeers
for sorrows in calico or overalls, is
spurious and foolish.
"The heart of the offender is the
measure of the sympathy he deserves
One man may lose million of the
peoples money and be morally guilt
less of anything but carelessness and
indiscretion; another may show in
corrigible criminality in the theft of
dime. Rich or poor, the cold calcu-
lator who skates knowingly along the
thin edge of criminality for the crimi-
nal profits to be gained, is the man
who deserves punishment for punish
ment's sake.
"When the books OF remembrance
are made up at the last day of time,
and eternity bright or black begins
as reward for the things done in
the flesh, the Recorder editor would
rather have Barney O'Neips chance
than that of many man out of prison
who would not sign the petition for
Barney's pardon. The writer. has
known O'Neil longer than any other
man in Idaho. Barney was home
less. newsboy, whom later prosperity
never blinded or calloused to the need
of sympathy and help. No man, wo-
man or child has ever gone to him for
aid, and been turned away. Most men
have been absolutely bankrupt at some
time in their lives, if they would but
give up; but putting on bold front,
many pull through. Doubtless O'Neil
knew that he was bankrupt; doubtless
he did things he knew the banking
law specifically forbade. in trying to
put on bold front until he could re-
alize on temporarily sleeping securi-
ties and make the bank whole. Few
doubt that, if the law had given him a
| little time, he would have repaid every
dollar. II he had followed his own
inclination, instead of the bad advice
that told him to go to Canada. he
would have asked for immediate trial
would have told his story, the jury
Ii WOulQ nave acquitted HIN anu ny nv"
he would have repaid his obligations
/ AS it is, the law has stripped him o
every resource, selling his stuff for ;
song when it was worth more; hi
loyal wife has given up every dolla
of her own fortune; and he is in prison
for the debt the law would not let hin
pay.
Barney O'Neil, pardoned and re
stored to the useful citizenship he new
er Intentionally forfeited, would b.
worth infinitely more to Idaho than h
is in prison. The Recorder hopes t.
see $4,000 names to his petition: ever
name is a certificate of humanity tina
would help rather than Destroy
For a Salt Lake Gateway.
II President Bloomquist of the Publ
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