Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1877-12-05

" w Ncpt ult " was NV """'""' "
see a citizen going down stairs from
the Collectors office chatting with o
neighbor while the form of the oath,
Z" You solcmnly swear &c, followed
after him like anything but a bencdic.
tion. Oatbs being common grew
ohean. The copy-book was yindicateJ,
SY>@sssss.t>,sSss; <, e, ! g, -.
aiiiG-sits t~'len oy the Gilecrs 0l V-'@
porations chartered by the State as
vorcbsys for the truth of the reports
in which they recite tho condition Of
the companies lost weight and sanction,
like all other affidavils. They became
mere iormalities and matters Of habit,
though 1t is essential to the safety of
society that they should be conscien.
tiously and cautiously made. TO the
State and to the public, which know
little or nothing Of the way in which
these oaths are taken, they continued
to be solemn pledges of good faith. To
the officials OF the corporation they
became mere routine duty. Presi-
dent Case signed an affidavit which
set forth substantially that the report
of his company, as submitted, was a
correct exhibit of its affairs, to the best
of his information, knowledge and be-
lief. This report stated the surplus of
the company at s5l5, 900, when in fact
there was deficiency OF $4,000, 900.
II stated the bank balance at Sl75,.
900, instead of the real figure, which
was 5000. 1t inflated real estate which
had cost slS0,000 up to valuation of
$3.50, 900, OF all these discrepancies,
as 1t nov appears, the President knew
nothing. He did not prepare the state
ment, did not read it, and on his trial
averred that he knew nothing about
its truth or its falsity excepting what
he was told by others. The informa-
ton and belief" clause in his affidavit,
which has led in so many other in
stances TO an inconceivablc amount Of
perjury, gave him precisely that straw
of excuse at which men in bis position
eagerly grasp. lie must have known
that there was something rotten in the
corporation he must have suspected
that the report was false but il was
easy for him toavoid direct knowledge,
and be avoided it accordingly. An ad-
ditional salve to his conscience was the
iniormalityin the administration of the
oath. He simply signed his name as
did the Secretary, and then sent the
affidavit by a messenger to a Notary
Public, who attestcd in the usual form
that it had been sworn to in his pres
encc. This conduct on the part Of the
Notary as well as Of the two atlantis is
most striking illustration Of what we
have said in regard to the contempt
with which perfunctory swearing has
in this country come TO DC regarded
The jnry, believing that the officers of
the corporation selected by the State
to vouch for its honesty and soundness
must not be allowed to plead ignorance
OF its concerns, and holding that no in
iormalities in the administration of the
oath could be pleaded whom it was ad-
mitted that the affidavit had been pre-
sentcd and filed as required by law, and
treated as genuine by the afllants
themselves, by the Notary and by the
Insurance Department, found, as they
ought TO have found, that President
Case was actually guilty Of perjury.
Their verdictis undoubtedly just one
for man who swears falsely in an
Official capacity to the correctness Of :"
statement prepared for the information
of tho public is legally guilty of per-
jury, without reference TO the question
whether he has done this through
gross negligence or through malice
Such conviction is no doubt fearful
calamity to befall man who has for
years stood well with the community,
but it is high time that Courts of jus.
tice should require the strictest ac
countability in the administration of all
trust