The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-06

JAMES ScRUGHAM, of Lexington, KY, now
a fugitive in Canada because of his defalca-
ton as cashier, writes back that his remorse is
great, and saying that he was young and too
extensively trusted. His apology is in no
sense a justification, though it doubtless ex-
plains the real cause of his downfall. Scrug-
ham is but thirty years of age-an age, how
ever, at which many men have achieved signal
triumphs. But to many young men of
his age the temptation is strong when
such opportunities for indulgence are at hand.
A young man of good record, member of a
church and teacher in a Sabbath-school, he
was in a fair way of an honorable and sue
cessful career, when temptation came and by
insidious advances accomplished his ruin.
1t is a frequent thing for a cynical public to
sheer at the Sunday-school teacher who sue
cumbs to evil influences, though just why
would be hard to say. The man who belongs
to church and who teaches in a Sunday
school is possessed of all the instincts,
the likes and dislikes that he would
have were he not connected with the church
at all. The only difference is, in the former
case he has them under subsection to greater
or less degree. In an evil hour, and probably
with no thought at all of the shamefulse sequel of
the step, Scrugham consented to play at cards,
first, it may be; as a mere pastime, and, finally,
for a consideration. Wiser heads could see the
probable outcome from the beginning. But
wiser men either knew nothing of Scrugham's
misstep, or chose to offer no warning. AS the
teller Of a bank he was greatly trusted,
and it has been said Of the bank with which
he was connected that he was the only one of
it's officers that knew anything about banking.
Without attempting to follow the young man
along the course that led him to appropriate
the funds in his care, it is easy to imagine it
all. So far as he is concerned, he only is to
blame for the crime he committed. Whatever
the temptation and the opportunity
may have been, it was no excuse
lOr I'LL W 6lcdl. VII lit NOII-
trary, the very fact that, young as he was,
he had been intrusted with such important
business should have inspired him to dis
charge that trust with scrupulous fidelity,
every assurance being given that such fidelity
would have brought due reward.
But there is blame upon the banks officials,
men older than Scrugham and better able to
Withstand temptation. No man has a right
to tempt another; and by the same rule no
man should allow another to be tempted
without exercising greatest care that
evil do not result. It cannot be expected, Of
course. that any man can constitute himself
guardian of any other, to see that he does not
steal. But men with responsible positions to
offer others should make sure that the bus
mess be so conducted that there will be no
encouragement to crime. This is especially
true Of bankers, who should so oversee their
business as to preclude the possibility of pee
ulation without speediest detection. No mar
should be encouraged to appropriate even an
inconsiderable sum. and with the expectation
of replacing it before its abstraction be de-
tected. In other words, no one man, how
ever honest, should be intrusted alone with
the banks interests. 1t need be no imputa-
ton on a bank clerks honesty to require that
all accounts and balances daily pass under the
inspection of some other clerk or officer.
With such a rule in force, no clerk could hope
to borrow from the banks funds without
early detection; hence the temptation to do an
irregular thing would be removed, and the
possibility of doing a dishonest act of magni-
tude would be very remote. Banking %institu,
tons conducting business on such unbusiness-
like principles as seem to have obtained in
this instance should be held responsible to de-
p~ositors and stockholders for losses by defal-
cation.
IN a letter to Governor Porter Mr.. Failey