Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-02-25
PEDDis's REGULATIONS.
A PIoUs FRAUD IN SCOTLAND "A SHAMEFUL

The Edinburgh correspondent Of the Lon
don Times writes that paper as fellows:
The extent to which crime is facilitated
and encouraged by lax methods OF conduct
ing business receives frequent illustration;
but it has seldom been exhibited more
strikingly than in connection with the frauds
lately discovered TO have been perpetra,ed
ON the Dissenting Ministers Friendly So
ciety Of Scotlasd. The story is very pain
full one, because of the respectable position
of many who are affected by it. 1t ia ALEC
one OF the most shameful ever laid before
the public, because the persoIs derauded
sre the widows and the orphans OF dissenting
clergymep many OF whom are wholly de-
pendent on the annuilies of the society for
their livelihood. A thorough examination
of the society's affairs has revealed the
startling fact that of its funds, amounting to
CSC, $40, much the greater part has disap-
peared. The securities which may be re-
gsHded zs good amount only TO 5000.
The defaulier is an Edinburgh accountant
named Donald Smith Peddie, who suddenly
disappeared about two months ago. The
chief PECULIARLY in the case il that Peddie
did not hold any recognized office IN con-
nection with the society. His brother, the
Rev. DR.. William Peddie, OF Edingbu'gh,
has been nominally treasurer Of the society
for the last thirty-seve year,, has been re-
elected annually, and has drawn the salary
of that Office; but the whole OF the business
OF the society has been M managed during these
wears by Donald Peddie for his brother, who
seems to have given him half OF his salary.
Donald Peddie's connection with the society
began still earlier. His father, the Rev. Or.
James Ptddie, was treasurer OF the society
| from jts commencement in 1897 tlll his death
in IS45. In 1888, Donald Peddie was con-
Joined by his father as assistant treasurer, IN
|. consideratiou OF the advanced age and fail
ing powers Of the latter, who was Then in his
seventy fifth year. This official connection
of Donald Peddie with the society Terminated
| at his fathers death in 1S45. When his
brother, DR.. William Peddie, was elected 10
| succeed his father, Donald Psddie was not
| elected as his assistant, and his connection
with the society has been wholly informal
| for the last thirty seven years.
After DR.. James Peddie's death, his SOD,
Dr.. William, requested the directors 10 APP
point him treasnrer, with his brother Don
| aid SIS assistant. A committee oil the direc-
| tors reported against this proposal. They
| objected expressly t. Donald PeddIe's ap-
| pointment, because he WAS not member oil
| The socie,y. and because, being in business
as an accountant, he might be called on 10
| act both for client as borrower and for the
society as lender. Never heless, DR.. William
Peddie was elected by majority al the an
nual meeting of the society IN May, 1916.
| Finding that Donald knew great deal more
about the society's business than he himself
did, the new treasurer gladly svailed him
| self of his brothers assistance, and the loose
and informal arrangement then begun con-
| tinued from that lime till last November,
| when Donald Psddie saw that, owing to CIR
| cunstauces affecting his character then % AIDE
/ public. it would be impossible for him longer
10 maintain his position. He therefore sb-
secluded, and soon afterward warrant was
issued for his apprehension on charge OF
| forgery. He has not since been heard oil,
but he is reported 10 be in Spain.
The use be had made OF his connection
| with the society during forty-nine years is
made only too evident by the elaborate re-
port on the society's affairs prepared by Mr..
John Blair, VS., and considered at a general
meeting held here. 1t appears from that report
that the funds which bave to be accounted for
amount to e30,940. Against this have 10 be
put securities classed as "bsd," representing
Ell $40. Some of these securities are purely
fictitious and have no deeds to represent
them. Others are represented by deeds
which are forged. Others once held by the
society have been parted with, but are still
entered in the accounts as available assets
The securities classed IS doubtful amount
TO G4l00. They are reckoned doubtful be
| cause in the case of many of them, the los
may be thrown on other parties as fairly a
on The society. The securities classed a
"eoodn amount, as has been said, only Il
| f5OOO leaving a deficit OF G25 $40.