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Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3110, 5 February 1879, Page 2

Theee is evidently some discrepancy in the telegrams referring to the trial and sentences of the swindling City of Glasgow .Bank directors. One message stated that Potter and Stronach were found "not guilty as charged," while the other directors were " found guilty of issuing a false balance sheet." A subsequent message, published by us yesterday, said that Potter and Stronach had been sentenced to eighteen months' each, and Taylor, Innis, Wright, Salmon and Stewart to eight months' imprisonment each. The discrepancy appears to be in the infliction of a double term of imprisonment upon the two who were found not guilty, to that awarded to those who by their false balance sheet had compassed the ruin of hundreds of families and individuals, and caused a monetary panic throughout the United Kingdom. The punishment, however, awarded by the Court before which these bank directors were tried seems altogether inadequate to the enormity of their offence, and (without any feeling of vindictiveness we say it) we should be glad to hear that the calogram is in error, and that njuch severer sentences have been awarded. • If reckless trading with other people's money can be expiated, and a systematic deception by means of falsifled accounts condoned, by sentences of imprisonment varying from eight to eighteen months, the fear of punishment will not act as a very strong deterrent when -commercial men once become involved in doubtful speculations. It is true that these bank directors have occupied high social positions; some of them are said to have been pillars of the church and models of that class of rigid Sabbatarians who are only to be found north of the Tweed. The loss of social position will no doubt be a severe punishment, and if the consciences of these hypocrites be not thoroughly seared, their reflections will be the reverse of pleasurable ; but it occurs to us that the law will not have been vindicated if these dishonest bankers have escaped with the terms of imprisonment given in the caiogram.