Evening journal., 1914-12-17
TnE kENNEY AM RDoELf INDIcrMENTs

THE kENNEY AND RIDGELf INDICTMENTS
II ICHARD r. KI1NN4sY a former United States sena-
~ tor from this State and more recently mentioned
in connection with the important diplomatic post Of
Ambassador to Mexico. has been indicted by the Fed
eral Grand Jury in this city for alleged criminal Of
fenses against the laws the United states Govern
ment Daniel NJ Ridgely another prominent Kent
county Democrat former treasurer Of that county
and former member Of the Delaware House Of Rep
resentatives. has been indicted with him. They ana
others are accused by the Federal Government Of
conspiracy in the matter Of the Of fire insurance
of a fraudulent nature
AS defendants are presumed to be innocent until
they have been proven guilty the natural assumption
Is that the public viii suspend judgment pending trial
Of the accused men, It cannot be denied however that
10 is a shock to State pride that man who has rep
Delaware in the United States Senate should be
suspected Of much less indicted for criminal ofenses
against the Federal statutes. That also may be said
with respect TO a who has served his home county
as treasuror who has represented that county in
the Legislature and who has been mentioned promi-
nenty in the past for the Democratic nomination for
governor Of our State.
Years ago Mr. Kenney then serving a United
states Senator. indicted in connection with the
ooting of the First National Bank in Dover by VIII
liam n. Boggs He tried and the jury disagreed.
After that disagreement he served out his term
United States Senator and retired from official life.
Following that ne devoted himself to the practice Of
law and active participation IN Democratic pOnlcs
1912 he announced himself candidate for re-elee-
tion to the United States Senate, but finally turned
over his votes Willard Saulsbury who elected.
Several months ago it announced that petitions
urging upon President Wilson the appointment OF Mr.
Kenney to the post of Ambassador to Mexico were
being circulated and signed by many Democrats down
the State Subsequently those petitions were for
warded to Washington and It announced that
Senator Salisbury had promised to do everything pos
sibe to obtain the ambassadorship for his mercural
Democratic friend in Kent The internal troubles in
Mexico prevented the appointment OF an ambassador
and the Kenney application has been held In view
of this development in Kenneys career, 1t is nat
ural to suppose that President Wilson will not make
an ambassador of man who is under Indictment
even though he has not been tried.
Mr. Ridgely, although lifelong and active Demo-
crat has figured largely in public life in recent
years. His involvement in the insurance scandal
causes widespread surprise his friends and ac-
quantances
without attempting to PREJUDICE the case OF either
of these prominent county Democrats, and speak
ing only generally feel constrained to that If
wildcat insurance companies arc operating in this
state and selling worthless, or even unstable In
surance to the people OF this or any other state,
the Federal Government will do the public great
service If It break up the business and bring the Of
fonders to Justice
A man or woman who takes out FIRE insurance
docs It for protection lie or she is entitled to that
measure of protection represented by the pohcy con-
tract man who knowingly sells, or causes to be
sold policy that has not behind 1t the protection
promised to the buyer is enemy to society and
should be dealt with severely the law will per-
/ nit lie captalizes human prudence and proys upon
IT, often TO the financial ruin and always at the hnan-
cial risk OF his victim. In addition, he besmirches
tho hre insurance business which when honestly and
inteligontly conducted is of mans greatest safe
guards against financial disaster.
AS such a man exercises mercy in his operations
against society ne has little reason to look for mercy
from society when finally 1t turns upon him for tho
protection of itself and legitimate and honest insur-
anco
For the sake OF themselves and our state we hope
that Mr. Konuoy and Mr.. Rdgely will prove, upon
trial their innocence OF the oenses alleged against
them It would be regrettable, indeed, were former
United States Senator and former member Of the
House of Representatives to demonstrate their nabl-
! ity to clear themselves Of such charges