The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-10-18

to refuse to adopt good thing SIM
ply because some other nation had
got ahead of us. He says the English
government has better opportunities
than we for making experiments ow-
ing to the more limited extent of their
territory. For the same reason the
results of their experimentation be-
come more readily ascertained. He
argues that whatever proves to be
good in Great Britain, after being
thoroughly tested there, is likely to
prove to be good thing here. He
therefore believesin awaiting ourselves
of the advantages afforded by the ex-
perimentations of our neighbors.
This proposition to establish post
office savings banks has the merit of
simplicity. Each post-office, it is sug-
gested, will become branch of a
great national savings bank, where
money can be deposited to draw in
terest at four per cent. per annum.
The money thus deposited will be in
vested in government securities.
Under this system the people will
have the advantage of an absolutely
safe deposit for their surplus cash,
and the government will be able to
fund a considerable portion of its
debt at low rate of interest. The
people will not be bothered with. the
trouble of examining into the sound
ness of the institution, as everybody
has confidence in the stability of the
government.
These are a few of the considera-
tons which speak for the adoption of
the system. There are objections of
course. For instance, it will be argued
that it offers further inducements to
fraud on the part of postmasters.
This may, perhaps, be remedied. At
all events the subject is one of sufi-
Gent importance to warrant our CIV
ing it serious thought.
The United States steamer ITALIA
poosa reached Washington Wednes-
day evening, bringing Captain Bud
dington and his associates. This por-
ton of the crew of the lost Polaris
consists of Captain Buddington, the
first and second officers, DR.. Bessels,
the chief engineer, carpenter and sail
ors, numbering in all eleven men.
They are in good health, notwith-
standing the sufferings and privations
they have endured. As soon as the
arrived the fact was re-
ported to the Secretary of the Navy,
who yesterday drove down to the
Navy Yard and went on board the
vessel. The object of his visit was to
make arrangements for the investiga-
ton which is to be held as soon az
possible. The Secretary gave all the
party leave to go on shore after di-
recting them to be extremely cautious
rs to their statements in conversation
and to hold themselves in readiness
70 report for examination at any time.
All gladly ayailed themselves of their
liberty and were soon on shore. AL
though very reticent when questioned |
With regard to the circumstances at
ending Captain Halls death, they |
give interesting accounts of their ex-
,erienee during the winter and of |
heir escape last June. When they |
ound themselves obliged to abandon
he Polaris they built n small hut on |
hore, using the spars and bulkheads
# the vessel. A fire was placed in
me end, n stove-pipe supplying the
'lace of a chimney. When the hut
vas banked up with snow it was found |
0 be very warm and comfortable. |
;oal and provisions were brought |
rom the ship, and the crew were able /
0 pass the long and dreary months
f the winter in comparative comfort. |
The Esquimaux were very friendly,
nd the entire population of Etale,
of six families, were invited
o make their home in the hut. In |
he spring two boats were constructed
t such material as could be obtained
rom the vessel, and on the Bird day
t June the party bid their Esquimaux
riends goodbye and turned their
ices southwark.
The circumstances of their rescue |
H.