Honesty rules! (The Goodness of America).(test shows honesty of South Carolina citizens)(Brief Article)

The May 31st edition of CBS' 48 Hours included a segment about an honesty test in Charleston, South Carolina. The prototype for the project was the earlier experience of Savannah, Georgia, resident Wanda Johnson, 35, a hospital housekeeper and single mother of five.

During a lunch break in early September of last year, Johnson, struggling financially, pawned her television set so she could pay a delinquent electric bill. As she drove away, she decided that she wanted a hot dog for lunch. Turning around to locate a vendor, she found herself behind an armored truck with a compartment door held shut by a faulty latch. The door popped open and a large plastic bag fell Onto the street. It held $120,000 in $5, $10, and $20 bills intended for an ATM machine at Savannah's SunTrust Bank.

As other motorists swerved to miss the stash, Johnson stopped, picked it up, and returned to work. Initially, she was tempted to keep it. After work, however, she counseled and prayed with her pastor and decided "my conscience just wouldn't let me do it." It was, she said, "really all about God, putting Him first." She called the police, who escorted another armored car to pick up the money.

SunTrust Bank gave Johnson a $5,000 reward, half in a check and the rest deposited to an account in her name to which others could also donate. "We wanted to reward and reinforce somebody standing up and doing the right thing," bank president William D. Haile told reporters. EM Security of Savannah, the armored car company, also gave Johnson a reward and made a donation to her church.

Johnson's story caused 48 Hours correspondent Steve Hartman to wonder how many others, similarly tempted, would opt for honesty. To find out, ...