Morning journal and courier., 1881-11-21
SOME ssConIMoN HoNEsTY.'

Not long ago we recorded the worthy deed of the firm of Bryant 6 King, of Clinton, Mass, who in 1876 were financially ruined by the breaking of dam which carried away their factory. After the disaster they turned over all their property to their creditors, and thus paid seventy-five cents on the dol lar. The creditors voted them two and a half per cent. to sue the owners of the im- properly built dam, and after five years iti- gation they recently recovered the damages claimed. Their first act after recovering damages was to forward to their creditors the full amount due them at the settlement in 1876, with interest up to date.
 Another cheering incident of this kind has just come to light in Philadelphia. During the year 1861 Messrs. Hood, Bonbright & Co.,, of Philadelphia possessed alarge local, l western and southern trade. The commerce of the nation was torn and agitated by war. Many business men of to-day can well re- member the uncertain condition of finance and trade, and the sudden depreciation in the value of goods, which ruined firms whose standing had up to that time been unim- peaehable. Goods were bought at certain
 
 when their value was lowered twenty and thirty per cent. Messrs. Hood. Bonbright & Company suffered, like the rest of the trade, at this time and they were forced to seek 8 compromise with their creditors. Owing to their we'll known business capacity l and integrity, they had very little difficulty in effecting this comprom1se. They resumed h1sin and cnutinr7s1xy hr1t rar1id1r in creased their operations They then created 8 fund with the intention of paying of every dollar of their past indebtedness, although not called to do so save by the severe princi- pies of honor and honesty which governed them. Their trade increased and they removed to the magnificent building they now occupy, a structure six and eight stories in height and the field of work for some 200 employees. They continued to prosper, and last week they sent out the fol lowing circular to their former creditors:
 Kindly befriended by our creditors at a time when we were needing help, we, in after years, created fund intended for their bene fit. This we have the pleasure now to offer them. Covering in it's equitable application more than the percentage abated in our set -tlement, under the recommendation of their committee of creditors, the excess, in each case. will represent pro rata apportionment of interest derived from said fund.
 In grateful remembrance, therefore, we enclose herewith our check to your order for the use of your old firm of 1861.
 Trusting you will feel assured alike of members no longer with of those now composing our firm, that this action is the accomplishment of our constantly cherished purpose, We are, yours tru-y,
 Hoop, BoNBRIGHT < Go.
 The old indebtedness, with interest, amounted to over $1o0 900. Those who re- ceived the unexpected checks were naturally much pleased, and many of them expressed their pleasure in appreciative letters to the firm
 The paying of debt like this from which Messrs. Hood, Bonbright & Go. had been le- gally, fully and honorably discharged twenty years ago is, to be sure, but matter of .'common honesty, v but, unfortunately, such acts are so rare as to be surprising when they do occur. Comparatively few business men who fail and prosper afterward feel obliged to give their old creditors what really belongs to them.