The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-06-27
A nl.rl,Is.lAn rnADI.nY-


The sequel 20 the Small tr'm lu rIlna'e ia
trrs.dy oi The most distressing Kind THE fo.th-
fl. loya, oouvort OF the prosecuted, ~ mot pcrsc-
catcd, governor Of tho commonwealth could
ond ala stand splond.''y erect through tho
hours Of danger ana moments ~ e'rca. &ot
once did she fa'ter not once ala sho fa!l him
20 whom rho had pleh'ol her lovo and her
support far back in tho days Of youth.
But when .hc dari, hour had passed whom
The sun at last broke through tho clouds dls-
slpatlng the fears and doubts; when gndncss
and Joy rcrned supreme and hcr loved and
honored husband stood forth exoncrntcd-ths
shock she could not survive. And 80 death laid
his hand upon her. one cannot rctra!n from
wondering how those who forced this prosccu.
ton now feel. Can they dsclaim all rcspons-
billty FOR that which trousplrcd2 Arc they,
IN fact. cleon--clcan Is all respects?
How tragic It is that the women and chill
dren must suffer most from the oul-smelllng
odors floating over tho political orcnal II wo
could only remember that an arrow fired at
what appears to be tho most vulnerable public
man not intrcquently finds lodgment In the
heart Of wife or a child. moro often would tho
shaft be returned to It's culver ana tho bow
unstrung
the merit OF this prosecution brought against
the Illinois governor. we arc all OF us prone
20 believe too readily the worst that can be said
against our fellows, especially those OF high
station. But when mere factionai oabal sel1cs
on some such prejudice to ruin an adversary.
technically guilty. but even so no worse II "a
bad. as those who prosecute. ono must restrain
ones natural inclinatIons IL exact Justice Is TO
be done.
Small has been exonoratcd by Jury OF HIS
peers. The first vote stood II TO l for acquit-
tall the second ballot made It unanimous for
acquittal. Mere jury fixing could not have
brought about such n verdict. Yet treasurer
of the state some years ago. the offenso claimed
was actually committed But in light OF COM
mon practice was It ottenso7
1t seems that Small in company with friends
organized bank TO which they entrusted the
state funds--or large portions OF them. paying
TO tho state tho statutory interest. None OF these
funds were stolen or lost. what did happen was
this This bank. controlled by Small and his
friends used the money as bank TO mako
largo sums Of money for the banks owners
1t seems that prior to that time (nnd subse-
quently) the state money was apportloned out
among the various banks OF the state, each pay
ing the statutory interest to the state. but each
rcloan!ng tho money Just as did smalrs bank,
and realizing herefrom largo profits.
That Is the system employed In every state.
county and municipality In America today.
Banks are making large profits out OF the pub
lie funds deposited with them. 1t Is possible to
draw a line OF distinction between Small own
ing tho bank himself and thus becoming di-
rect beneficiary OF the system, and depositing
the funds with friendly bankers who might or
might not divide their profits with him but
who would have defended and supported him
under all circumstances, but such line Is cx-
ceedingly dim and difficult TO discern.
AT any rate one OF Americas sensational po-
ltical prosecutions, II not prosecutions, has
ended The verdict exonerates tho accused yet
still leaves him the most boreavcd OF men. Even
his blt,erest personal enemies must feel tha;
they have at last succeeded IN wrenching from
him a forfeit greater than his offense Justified