The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-04
POSTAL SAVINGS BANK.

OO'SAC' I'
postofices and post roads" Upon the au-
thority of this single declaration in the
organic law, the greatest postal system in
the world has been developed. 1t includes
a larger number of postofices and more
miles of post roads than any other nation
has. Very early in the history of the sys-
tenn, the strict constructionist arose and
denied the federal authority to carry the
mail, as the cold letter of the law only in
cluded the establishing of offices and roads.
The strict constructions carried the ques-
ton into the courts, where the doctrine was
enunciated that the power to carry the mail
was implied in the original proposition that
lodged the power in Congress to establish
offices and roads. From time to time since
that era, by judicial Interpretation and
f icial construction, this dictum of ten
words has made every railway, navigable
river aud highway a post road.
The great sea is laid out in
tracks and pathways for the mail. Ships
to and from all quarters of the earth carry
VIC hld government pay I've A"A
road in the lane is a servant of the postal de-
partment, and so with many vessels upon
our inland waters. Star routes have been
mapped out and star reuters rave been
couched in ten words.
The strict constructions went a step fur
then and denied the authority of the United
States to punish mail robbers. The court
was against him again, TIL decree set forth
the principle that the power to carry the
mails carried with it the power to punish
those who should unlawfullv interfere with
the safe and speedy transportation of them.
In short, the stickler for a literal interpreta-
ton of the law has stood at every turn and
corner in the progress of the postal system
and denied its rights until brushed
aside by an order or decree of the court.
The strict constructionist, in tine meantime,
has not lived in vain. In his effort to defeat
everything, many excuses and abuses have
been shut out. The good measures have car
ried over his head and his captious opposi-
ton has led to the ferreting out of the bad.
He finds himself the remote cause of some
good, though he never intended it that way.
There is a sentiment at present in favor of
further testing the elasticity of this signif-
cant proposition of ten words. 1t is demand
ed by many that the meaning be carried far
enough to include a system of savings banks
in connection with the postal service: that
the postmaster shall also be the peoples
banker, and take the care and custody of
such funds as they may see fit
to deposit with him. The argument
is made that England maintains such a sys-
tenn, and, therefore, our government ought
to do so. This logic is faulty. England may
do many things successfully that could not
be satisfactorily done in America. The con-
ditions are very different. Not stopping to
argue the points that might well be raised,
there are a number of practical questions
that will have much to do in the matter.
The postal service is already overworked. If
additional duties were laid upon the depart
ment, additional force must be employed to
do the work. If it be banking that is added.
the cashiers would still be men, and the liza
bility TO loss by defalcation, theft and en-
bezzlement would not be removed. The gov
eminent would not be responsible for such
losses. 1t is not responsible now for the
loss of registered letters, a matter wholly
and peculiarly under its jurisdiction. Gov
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ment. In practice all the functions must be
performed by men. Hence the notion that
money put on deposit with the government
at the various postofices throughout the
country would be absolutely safe is errone-
Gus. There are a few defaulters among post
masters. If each Office were a bank there
would be great temptation to many de-
f~aulters. There's a new translation to the
old saw that money makes the mare 60"
1t now reads that money makes the man go.
All the safeguards that the government
could employ to secure the peoples money
in postal savings banks are within the reach
and generally used by private and corporate
banks. The maxim that a government
should do nothing for its people that they
can do as we'll for themselves is pretty sound.
Upon the question of banking the maxim
seems to apply with full force, keeping in
view the national prerogative to grant char
tiers, stipulate methods and limitations.
What would be better than another system
of banks would be a more rigid inspection of
those we have. Bank directors ought to
actually know at all times the condition of
the trust in their hands. State and national
examiners should be held to great diligence,
and stand guard constantly between the neo-