St. Landry democrat., 1888-11-17
SYSTEMS OF "cHEcxAcs."
Joe Howard Thinks They Are ~ Nuisance
Policy Of Houexey.

Joe doWaru Thinks They Are u Nuisance.
Policy Of Honesty.
Are we nation of liars, thieves,
cheats? lfnot. what is the meaning of
the universal suspicion which, poi,ons
every brothers cup1 Why these checks
in street cars. these mechanical con,riv-
ances in barroon,s. these private detect
i've agencies? You remember Whist q
hubbub was created years Az, when con-
ductors were compelled to wear massive
medaillols, with intricate mechanism,
supposed 70 show correctly the number Of
fares taken. They looked Ike so u,any
japanese Eois witt. bu1;.Ii.;, onerous,
burtiensoin' ornaments about them. The
directors suspected that the conductors
were stealing. and every time the CON
ductor pulled the spring that rang tie
bell he challenged pubic scrutiny. and
the suggestion came to every mind, 1.-The
company suspects this man To he thief"
and SO they Cid suspect every nun to be
thief, and they doubted the accuracy
Of their mechanism as well, because co.
verify and secretly they sent spoilers,
old men. young ladies, tender children,
workingmen i'll every possible disguise,
to keep tally of the num,oer OF people
who rode upon the cars and paid fare
for the privilege. AS it was in Boston
SO it WAS in New York and in all the
great cen;ers. The system Of ch.rkare
in use upon our railways today IL not
only expensive to the companies and an
intulerable nuisance To tho travelling
public, but direct ilrpuSniny Of the in
teyrIey OF every man IL the employ.
buy ticket from here to Boston,
and pay il advance. pay s. for my
ticket, and $3.50, or whatever. fox u seat
in drawing room car. Il should be
quite sufficient for me to give up my
ticket to gatellan HIS enter the depot.
and my other ticket to tho porter in
charge of the drawing room CIR, as I
enter the car. Instead ct which. ain
stopped ut tho gate as enter the
depot. in order that Il gaten,an may
puncl, the ticket. take my seat III the
car. In comes train conductor, who
tases my ticket and punches 1t ii three
OF four different places. settle down
to read my Paper or my book, and along
comes tue drawing room conductor, who
takes my ticket and gives me another III
It's place. ON which be punches tho year.
tho month. the day Of tie month. lac
number OF the train. tie nuuIblr 81 the
car. the number OF the cost, my des,i..a-
ton and tbs amour; paid. al OF which
takes my time aud gives him unnecessary
labor. We pass beyond New Haven. aid
another conductor comes. anu he his to
punch cly ticket. and another conductor
comes ut Worcester and he has to punch
the t.clsct. Then they come alcn, again
and take up the tickets.
Come with me into any Of our bar
rooms, our restaurants. our cafys. Time
was when man could SO with his friend
into cafe. Crler his homemade CT what
ever he wanted. generally the latter.
throw his money Oh the counter and
walk ont. Now he has to perform the
service Of waiter. H,vln. taken his
refresi!ment he waits while the attendant
turns TO q machine ct the back ct the i'll
closure. from which he draws card. OH
which Is stamped the amount to be paid,
which amount is shown il glarins letters
upon the machine Us the impression Is
made. This the customer Is compelled
to carry sometimes distance Of hun
dred feet. At all events he must carry
1t wherever the cashier chances to I've
seated. lie hands the check and tie
money to the cashier. wipes His mouth
and walks away. Ii other words, the
barkeeper is distinctly informed by this
procedure that lis employer has no faith
il, him. and both he and the cashier is
informed by this mechanism, which reg.
isters the amount, that their employer
trusts neither OF them.
And, after all. do checks check!
Thieving conductors were supplied by
ingenious mechanics with little arrange
nlents by which. while pretending to
register, they in reality pocketed the fare
without registering. Barkeepcvs, by Gel
fusion with cashiers, eau, If they wish,
deiraud their employers. This very week
one Of our railroad auditors tumbled over
r!sa by which fares collected on steam
railways were retained by conductors,
they having duplicate slips furnished
them by the accountant in tho office.
Human ingenuity l., certain to Ike met by
human ingenuity. In the long run. tax
ing age after age. accumulated facts
have crvstallized themselves into pro-
verb, Honesty is the best policy" and
dishonest men know just as wei as the
good ard true that tie pat, to success
lies in that direction. ard that leaving
all question Of morals Cd; Of coraidera.
ton. the best policy" the truest way
In which to serve ones selfish purpose.
IS to he honest.
There must be responsibility some.
where. Somebody must Ike trusted, and !
all this intricate system. OF c.seckase |
doesn't an,nuu, to shlM;s. II maj, is |
dishonest and has not brains enough to |
know that. in spite Of his dishonest ten
dency sucss~s can tH obtained by honest |
methods alone. no power this side OF |
heaven can keep him frcla cheating. and
cheating tm a while without detection. |
L., l.,.rnrll Boston isiat1..