The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1877-02-27
EXPOSING DISHONESTY.

We are passing through drift OF de-
ception and fraud. This is particular
ly true OF the management OF corpor-
ations. Men who are considered repu-
table, think il no harm TO commit acts
as corporators which as individuals
they would not dare to do. Recent In
dictments and exposures are showing
the fallacy and the danger OF this Grim
insl practice. The Judgment OF the
public is clear in all such cases. Ii
recognizes no differences between the
bad act OF a private individual, and
that Of president or secretary OF
corporation. One OF the most encour-
aging signs OF the times is the way In
which the public is hunting down these
wrong-doers.
The danger is great and iminent. On
every hand loose and criminal practi-
ces have crept in. The corporation
which refuses TO make public its affairs
in the clearest manner possible is just
ly being regarded with suspicion. We
hope that suspicion will go on increas-
ing until every corporation whose se-
curities are in the hands OF the public
will be compelled to furnish frequent
and accurate statements. Our desire
is to emphasize the probability that
where these necessary statements are
withheld there is something wrong,
and that not dollar Of honest money
should be intrusted in that quarter for
an hour.
Another thought in this connection:
Is il not the duty of everyone acquaint-
ed with fraudulent acts, whether COM
mitted by an association or by an IN
dividual, to expose them In bank
rupt savings banks, in broken insur-
ance companies, in many private oni-
ces. there are scores OF persons cogni-
zant of the wrong doing which is being
practiced. The law requires every man
to cooperate with the officers OF JUS
tice in arresting transgressors. When
we see a burglar entering our neigh
boris house society demands that we
assist in seizing him. Servants who
see employers signing and certifying
under oath false statements are bound
To make public the offense. IL il not
enou gh that they withdraw from the
service and say nothing about the de
tected crimes which are infiicting great
loss upon the community. Here is
book-keeper who prepares fraudulen
statements for the president TO sign
These are thrown ont TO the public
and confidence continues for anothe
wear, when the ruin is so much tn
worse. We hold that the book-keepe
in the eye OF justice and God, Is
guilty as the man who signs the docu
ment. We have known subordinate
TO excuse their consciences or try to d.
: SO by saying they can not afford
throw up their situations aud leav
. their families without bread. Sue
, servants unqualifedly participate !
d the crime, and the last end OF crime
, breadless families. Only those VIII
do right thrive in the long run: Th
: way OF the transgressor is hard. foun
man, when the president Of compan
I or your employer asks you to lie 10
y him let him know you are an hone:
. man. Do you want diploma Thi
e is an excellent way to get one. 10
can afford TO withdraw from concer
: which exists by misrepresentation an
: theft. In many quarters 1t would b
considered discreditable to do what "
are now recommending. III your en-
ployer adulterates human food an
makes you the agent, look him straigl
; in the eve and remind him that this
: not in the contract and it is inconsiI
= tent with your principles. We are q
!. bound to expose wrong wherever az
9 tected.-[Golden Censor.