The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-03-30
HONOR in BUSINESS.
Some Remarkable Examples of Honesty
When Unlocked For,

Some people pay their debts, some do
not; some go in for liquidation, while
Others again are content to go through the
process of being ''whitewashed, ~ and after
paying certain sum more or less generally
less, never allow such trivial matter
as an unpaid balance to again trouble
them.
There have been, however, several ex-
ceptional and striking examples of COM
mercial honesty and integrity, instances
men have, owing to adverse circumstances,
come a cropper," but have afterward
many years afterward, some of them paid
their debts in full.
a notable case was recorded recently, none
the less striking because the man owed but
small sum. Some six years ago young
man had tobacconist's business in town
in the West Things went wrong with
him, and eventually he left the town
suddenly. His debts, including two
quarters rent, amounted altogether to $500
Recently he has returned and not only paid
all the money he owed, with interest up to
date, but he also insisted on giving supper
to his creditors.
Such an instance as this deserve to rank
as honorable as that of Sir Moses Monte
fore who it will be remembered, made
up for having failed by eventually paying
all his creditors, with per cent interest.
An equally noble example is afforded in
the history of the firm of Messrs Ickringill.
Failing in 1879 for large sum, the part
ners were released from all their obliga-
tions on payment of compromise of 50
cents on the dollar. Since then they have
had to overcome many unlocked for
difficulties, but, that Notwithstanding,
they have called their old creditors together
and, at an outlay of over $4,000, have
paid the 90 cents owing on every dollar
they were indebted.
A later instance of honorable generosity is
related of a well known gentleman. \
small company in which he was interested
went to the bad, and not satisfied with
simply bearing his own loss, he has felt it
his duty to pay in full the balance to make
up the amount invested by the share
holders
A pleasant story is on record in connect
ion with West of England building So
ciety, which few years ago came to grief.
The rause of this woS the 6afalcat;onS nf an
Official who had won the unlimited con-
tidence OF the whole board of directors.
The culprit was taxed with the robbery,
and, probably because there was no other
way out of the difficulty, admitted his
guilt and offered to make restitution, so far
as lay in his power. The secretary and
the directors, however, were not satisfied
with this and to save the credit of the
society, as well as to make it impossible
for the shareholders and depositors to
suffer, they subscribed between them
every shilling of which the society had
been robbed.
Another building society official, the
secretary this time, "acting on sudden
impulse" departed one night with 5000
of the society's money. The society S head
quarters are in Il town on the south coast.
Recently the directors have been pleasantly
surprised by the receipt of $3.50 inclosed
in letter. 1t was from the former secre-
tary, the money being can nstalment" to-
ward making good his defalcations.
A delicate method of making good a
failure in early life was that employed by
the late Mr.. Neville, the great banker. Mr..
Neville's first venture in business ended in
bankruptcy. Failure made him try harder to
succeed, and eventually he became wealthy.
Then he invited each of his former credit
ors to dinner, and under the cover set for
each was placed check for the balance
owing, with compound interest up to
date
In 1882 large firm of merchants failed
for considerable sum. They paid 40
cents on the dollar. Recently one of the
partners the one who was perhaps, least
reasonable for the failure, returned from
America, and after considerable difficulty
succeeded in tracing every creditor, to
whom he has paid the balance due. This
in spite Of the fact that after so doing, he
was left with less than e200 with which
to start the world anew