New Britain herald., 1915-04-26
May a Small Man Squeal?
indianapolis News.)

We note a disposition on the part
of certain of the citizens of Terre
Haute now domiciled in the Leaven-
worth penitentiary to discriminate
against Ed Holler, former chief of
police in the city by the Wabash. His
to protect himself and to serve his
own interests by turning states evi =
dence. More than four score of the
indicted men made the same choice,
which in truth seems to have been
very wise one. We know of no OBJ
legation that Holler was under to Rob-
erts or others of the gang. He did their
will and got caught. They would have
dumped Holler in a minute had it
been possible. There is not one
member of the conspiracy was
utterly old-blooded-that would not
have made Holler the goat" He
simply beat them to it,
And this reminds us. There is, as
far as we know, not a case on rec
ord in which the big men," the men
who inspired crime and protited by
it, ever made a serious attempt to
tools. That would, indeed, be in
violation of the rules of the game.
The little men do the work, assume
all the responsibility and take what
ever punishment comes-and keep ST.
lent as to the completely of the higher
ups That, we say, is the rule of the
game. 1t is the same as in the old
days when the king repudiated the act
n hn
it, when it was found that the mon
arch would suffer because of it. And
the agent expected nothing else.
In cases of political crime, the boss
es, so far from protecting their agents,
invariably expect to be protected by
them. And they are not often dis
appointed. Nothing is more astound-
ing than this self-sacrificing loyalty.
In days of old" the barons used to
give a full equivalent for the services
performed by their retainers. But
things have changed. The modern
barons demand that their retainers
shall not only work and steal for them,
under their orders, but also bear the
penalty for the crimes committed at
the command of the barons 1t is
expected that the retainer shall not
only do the dirty work of his over
lord, but suffer in his stead-and in
abieCt silence.
Surely by this time the little people
must realize that there is no possible
protection for them. When exposure
comes they are Immediately dumped
And it is actually considered bad
sportsmanship" for them to complain.
What about the sportsmanship IF
those who inspire the crooked work
profit by it, and then run to cover
at the first and faintest intimation
of danger? Having got the goods
they at once turn their backs on those
who made it possible for them to &c.
them. Ard vet these infamous cow
ards expect to be known as sports"
and good fellows! They denounce
those who are so base" as to save
themselves, and yet they themselves
expect to be saved through the sac
rifice of the poor, the ignorant and
obscure who have been betrayed and
rnisled to their hurt.
Such is the "chivalry' of practical
politics. The little people might as
we'll realize that if they do not pro-
tect themselves, no one else will. The
blame, the odium and the prison SEN
tence will all fall on them. We do not
think much of the "sportsmanship"
Of those who disapprove of Ed Hollers
course. At the very worst, Holler
played the rotten game precisely as
his superiors played it, His example
is one that should be followed by ali
tools and underlings. Protection from
their overlords they cannot hope for.
AWhy not protect themselves?