The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-02-26
The Penal,v Must Be PAID.

The public prints contain almost daily
accounts OF embellishments. There were
two last week that attracted particular
attention because the embezzIers became
thieves to make displays IN the social world
that their means did not permit. One Of
the embezzlsrs was Paying Teller Smith
ofths First National Bank of Wilmington,
Del. and the other was Assistant Cashier
Redwine, Of the Gate City National Bank
of Atlanta. Paying Teller Smith stole
$50. GOO and spent it upon his family. As
sistaut Cashier Redwine admits that he
stole $4,000, which, it is be-
lieved, he spent in establishing
his reputation as q society leader.
Hundreds have followed the path these two
men followed aud finally came TO prison
cell or a suicides grave, and doubtless
hundreds are following it now. II is path
that once taken is seldom abandoned. II is
about impossible to abandon it. Those who
take it know that it leads to dishonor and
death. They hope, OF course, 70 escape the
fate Of those who preceded them, but the
hope is a vain one Weak and selfish they
are intent only on gratifying their own
desires The suffering they may bring to
others is matter of little consequence to
them.
The two bank officials 10 which attention
is directly called desired to appear to better
advantage in the eyes Of the social circle in
which they moved than their means
would allow. Teller Smith wished his wife
and daughters to dress as well and enter
tain as lavishly as the wives and daughters
of his wealthy neighbors. 1t may
be that his wife and daughters
nagged him because of his inability to give
them finer house or more costly clothes,
and finally worried him into becoming a
thief But whether they did or not he lived
beyond bis income, and must now pay the
penalty. Every man who spends more than
his income must eventually pay the penalty.
Cashier Redwine has no family. He was
ambitious TO lead the fast set on an income
that permitted only a moderate style of
living. The compliments ne received for
the fine suppers he gave and
the costly flowers he presented
to ladies of his acquaintance
were the inducements to dishonesty. And
those who enjoyed his fayors gave no
thought to the question as to whether he
could afford such extravaganza, or If they
did their remarks perhaps which they made
behind his back were not SO complimentary
as those they made to his face.
But are the fair weather friends of Smith
and Redwine expressing sympathy for them!
1t is more than likely they are pointing the
finger Of scorn at them. They would not 60
out of their way to lend the disgraced men
a helping hand
Aud why should theyl 1t is better that a
man who has placed himself outside Of the
pale of honorable men should be made to
feel that he deserves his punishment. If
men can become criminals. and yet retain
the respect of their former associates, Grim
iunl acts will cease to be disgraceful and
crime viii become more common.
Extravagant living is responsible for
large portion of the embellishments which
are committed, and to a very considerable
extent women are responsible for them.
Their desire for display and to outshine
their neighbors leads them to encourage
extravagant expenditures by the men. II
they could foresee the misery to which their
thoughtless conduct leads it Is probable
they would be more considerable in their
demands upon those upon whom they are
daDandent