Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-04-12
GOVERNMENT SAVINGS BANKS.
A Plea IN tho Interest OF the small wagc
Uarnera.

Farmers.
IL Is one thing TO preach saving,
economy, prudence and the like TO the
masses OF the people, and quite another
10 advise them az to the best way in
which TO care for the savings that they
might have been so fortunate as TO ac-
cumulate. There have been many
changes in the methods OF boarding
since the days of the teapot and the
old stocking. But IL may be questioned
| II this system has been to any great
sxtent improved upon. Savings banks
have in times past ruined many peo-
pie, and IL Is not strange that some
have become timid and slxeptical in re-
gard 20 them.
It is quite time that the government
took up some form of savings institu-
tions that will benefit people of small
means. In Great Britain the postal
savings institutions have been of un-
spealSable benefit to the poor. Over
four hundred millions of dollars have
been cared for in this way.
When one stops TO th;nk where most
of this might have gone but for the
beneficial care of government insti-
tuition, the idea is suggested that IL
might not be amiss for the United
States to provide some equally safe
mears for caring for the mites of
widows and orphans and the industri-
GUS and provident poor. Many n man
and woman would put their pennies and
quarters into a government bank who
would never think of depositing in
private bank. There is something
pleasant about being in touch with the
government and of putting ones
savings into the hands of Uncle
Sam Private banks however solid
they may be, are exposed to dangers
that postal banks are not subject
10. To feel that the money put
away was assafe as the government
would be an incentive that would draw
from the pockets of many hard-worlS-
ing person whatever surplus they could
spare, and this would form a nucleus
for a little fund that would rapidly
grow TO worthy proportions People
are bound to use money that they have
on hand, and as long as they can feel
no positive assurance of its safety they
will keep IL by them and finally spend
IL rather than trust IL in other hands
Then it is gone and there is nothing to
show for IL.
There are many things that the gov
ernment might do for the individual.
but this seems to be the most important
of all immediate necessities Why the
public treasury should not be the de-
posting place of small as well as large
holders of wealth is a question that no
intelligent person seems to be able to
answer satisfactorily. The present
movement in favor of something of
this sort will be watched with great
interest There are certain classes of
persons who will bitterly oppose II;
among these are the rumsellers and
the purveyor TO all OF the evil passions
that beset humanity. II people can
save their earnings and feel confident
that they are ready on call, there will
be much less TO pour into the Golfers of
sin. II there We're no other reason for
urging the establishment of such
banks this would be sufficient. but
when one comes TO realize the inn
portance of this movement as a factor
In the education Of children and the
possibility of cult.vating a taste for
putting away against a rainy day, it
will be admitted that the moral aud
educational effect of such a proceeding
will be of infinite advantage to the
young as well as the old.-N. Y. Ledger.