Chicago Eagle

In the same penitentiary to which this bank president is committed a man is serving six years for stealing a chicken. In giving an account of the rich prisoner's demeanor the press reports say he "took his sentence very calmly."

No doubt of it. And so did the judge who sentenced him take the sentence calmly—too calmly to suit the sense of justice of decent people.

It is said that socialism is on the increase in this country. There is no doubt of it. And the reasons are plain. One reason may easily be discovered in the modern instance just recited. The socialist can hold up this deadly parallel and say, "That is justice as it is exemplified under your present system of society? How do you like it?" The man in charge of a bank who loots it is ten times meaner than the ordinary robber. The banker robs those who trust him. He is about the only man in the community who is permitted to handle funds without a bond. When he proves recreant to his trust he strikes a body blow at confidence. He should receive the maximum punishment and that maximum should be imprisonment for life. The people are slowly formulating this belief: If you steal a little you will get the limit. If you steal enough you will be let off easy. That is a dangerous belief, but not so dangerous as the facts that go to make up the belief.