The Daily Astorian

Another Warning.

The embezzlements and final exposure of Fitch, cashier of Warren, Ohio, bank, furnishes another warning to young men eager to acquire sudden wealth. He was a young man, trusted, honored and esteemed. But he became a prey to that insatiate monster Speculation, and into its capacious and never satisfied maw poured not only his own earnings, but $80,000 of the funds intrusted to his keeping. Exposure came, as it is almost sure to do in every such instance, destroying his good name, blighting his prospects for the future, bringing disgrace upon his family, and well-nigh ruining the stockholders of the institution that had given him its unlimited confidence. He had a good home, a liberal salary, and sufficient of this world's goods for the full enjoyment of all the comforts of life; but above all he had a good name. To-day he is a disguised fugitive from justice, with the condemnations of the law hanging over him, and the curses and denunciations of those whom he has wronged following him. It is the same old story, repeated year after year, and almost month after month. Fitch was perhaps as honest as the average of business men. At least he enjoyed that reputation. He undoubtedly went into stock speculation with no intention of wronging his family or his friends. But he lost, and went deeper, lured by the delusive hope of recovering what had already been sunk, and at the same time making the coveted gain. Again he went in, using the money of the bank and its depositors, and again he lost, and so on, until, within ten months eighty thousand dollars had been embezzled and swallowed up.

While it is to be hoped that the lesson taught by Fitch's experience may be heeded as it should be by others tempted as he was, there is no reason to fear that it will not be, at least by some who read it. The financial history of the country is crowded with such examples, yet they seem to multiply rather than decrease. Speculation is a sort of ignis fatuus, the mania for which is as irresistible as a contagion, and can only be repelled by the most rigid adherence to the strict rules of moral and financial health. The longing for and the mad effort to obtain wealth without the return of an equivalent in labor and manly effort has ruined thousands of good men. It has ruined and forever disgraced that man. It will do the same for four out of every five who thus undertake to gratify their greed. It is a violation of natural and financial laws which is almost certain to bring a corresponding penalty. There is but one safe course, and that is in the line of strict integrity, unswerving fidelity, and untiring industry. These, with proper economy, are sure to bring success, and with it abiding peace of mind, which is better far than riches obtained at the risk of reputation and honor.