The Indianapolis Journal

It is stated that the defaulting city treasurer at Terre Haute has made over property to his bondsmen to the amount of half or two-thirds of his defalcation, and that they will make good the balance.

The delinquent official has not been arrested, though, it is said, his bondsmen would have instituted criminal proceedings against him if he had done nothing toward making them whole.

This is a very unsatisfactory way of settling public accounts and a still more unsatisfactory way of satisfying public justice. From all accounts this Terre Haute defalcation was deliberate and flagrant. It was begun very soon after the treasurer's election and carried on quite recklessly for a considerable length of time. It was a natural outgrowth of the Democratic bossism with which Terre Haute has been cursed, and the defaulting official seemed to think his party zeal would atone for all financial delinquencies. After such a man has deliberately betrayed a public trust and robbed the people it is poor satisfaction for them or for public justice to have him let off with a mere surrender of his property. This is little less than condoning a crime. The laws against official corruption and dishonesty are very severe, and ought not to be trifled with in this manner. If his bondsmen do not institute proceedings against this defaulting official the public prosecutor should. What are laws made for if they are not to be executed?