The Man with the Muckrake: Society and Class Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Sentence)

Quote #4

The wealthy man who exults because there is a failure of justice in the effort to bring some trust magnate to account for his misdeeds is as bad as, and no worse than, the so-called labor leader who clamorously strives to excite a foul class feeling on behalf of some other labor leader who is implicated in murder. (60)

Being implicated in murder is a common theme in those convicted for violent acts like the Haymarket Bombing. If the real culprit couldn't be found, then what's called "conspiracy laws" went into effect. Basically it boils down to the police finally getting an excuse to wipe the biggest leftist players off the board, on the assumption that they had a deep secret conspiracy to commit the crime.

Quote #5

One attitude is as bad as the other, and no worse; in each case the accused is entitled to exact justice; and in neither case is there need of action by others which can be construed into an expression of sympathy for crime. (61)

For TR, someone's crime is never justified by their conditions. A crime is a crime and all crimes should be treated equally. More Javert, and less Valjean.