Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1913-01-09


and Yields scepter mighuer than
car or emperor Why; He levies
each year millions of taxes without
consulting this court. the legislature
or any man who walks the earth. He
does this 10y Il machine for printing
paper tokens of value called stocks
The essence of theft is to take the
property OF another without giving Il
return. A green goods man sells
printed paper for money. This mighty
man also sells printed paper for
money. What is the difference?
Neither the green goods nor the bogus
capital called watered stock represents
dollar in real value.
This modern marauder whom we
have enthroued as our ruler every
where, from every one. seizes. tears
and despoils the fruits of toll. has
never added penny 10 the wealth of
| humanity. And what de we find him
doing? In the midst OF poverty that
means hunger and uakedness, disease
and death. we have the shameless
| Haunting of insane luxury And to
W nat tuA IpSS' IL tliC ShN y
! of the vain and the foolish. to dazzle
the minds of the poor and intlame
the lustS of the criminal.
do we believe that such things are
the DEGREES of n just and loving God
who created this world? These things
are not the result of his law, but the
results of the violation of law"
Hl.k Al, IN
the judge and then in low. impassioned
tones told rs If he were talking to a
father the story of Woodman's life and
the events which drove him to madness
on the fatal night of his crime. In
flashes of vivid eloquence he described
the magnificent ball and drew in som
Der. henrtbreaking contrast the desola
ton and despair of proud and sensi-
tive man made desperate by want and
ruin. the man who had given his blood
to his country and his daily life in an
unseltish ministry to the homeless and
friendless.
II do not ask of your honor" he
cried In ringing tones. THE repeal of
the law against theft-thou shalt not
steal! only ask the suspension Of
its penalty on this heartbroken man
until we can extend 1t to his oppressors
echo through the palaces of the rich -
thou shalt not steal!
THE man who has fallen was weak
and poor. The man who demands his
life Is rich and powerful. | ask for a
heartbroken man another chance. |
ask this court to suspend all sentence
against the poor bruised and bleeding
spirit that lies in tears at our feet
today"
The judge wheeled in his armchair,
cleared his throat and looked out of the
window to hide from the crowd Il
tear that had stolen down his furrowed
cheek.
He turned ut length to Bivens' law
yers and quietly asked:
1.-THE state insists on the enforcement
of sentence without mercy"
| Absolutely" was the sharp answer.
'This Is your desire, Mr. BivensT
the judge asked with some severity.
|
"And yet you say that you are a
Christian. Well. see to 1t. Your Mas
ter says:
"'He that saith / love God and
hateth his brother is a liar Henry
Woodman, stand up! The Judgment
of this court Is that sentence In your
case be suspended so long as you obey
the law.
"And l may say to you. Henry
Woodman, that my faith Is profound
that you will never appear in this
court again. And If you ever need the
help of friend you'll find one If you
come to me. You are a free man"
Stuart hurried the doctor out of the
crowd. He had important work yet
to do. He determined that no story
of the scene should ever he printed in
New York paper. He would save
Harriet that too.
AS the court adjourned Bivens ours
ed his lawyers In a paroxysm of help
less rage. Then he suddenly threw
his hand to his forehead, staggered
and sank TO the floor
A doctor who was near rushed to his
side and lifted his head into his wlfe's
arms
what is It? Has he tainted. doc
tori" she whispered. glancing toward
the door through which Stuart had
just passed.
"He has had stroke of paralysis.
madam, fear" was the answer.
Stuart's appeal to the New York pa
pers In behalf of Harriet was success
full. For a week he bought every
morning and evening edition and read
them eagerly. Not line appeared to
darken the life OF his little pal
Bivens' Illness shook the financial
world. The men who had professed
their friendship most loudly to his face
now sharpened their knives for his
wounded body. Every stock with
which his name was linked was the
target Of the most savage attacks.
The tumblng Of values In his securi-