The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1894-01-12
WE BLUSH.
The Socrates Of ROsebank Discusses the
Banner, National Banks and Other
Topics Of Interest.


the cold, cold grippe, and am making
my 1894 resolves. Among these hon,
est resolutions the chiefest is that
will, during the incoming year, do al
/ can for my family, my Florida, my
friends and self.
There Is one other resolution that
am resolved upon and ii is this: The
very worse thing that could happen
for yourself and family would be your
appointment as postmaster at Ocala.
The place is too narrow for you.
am afraid that in your devotion to the
stamping act" you'd neglect the
"B nner," and that would be most
grievous sin.
Once, in reading the Banner, /
found you lamenting the loss of a
place on the County School board;
said then to my co-reasoner. my good
wife, 81 am glad, yet can't tell you
why, that Frank Is off that Board, for
Il am sure there lie wider field of use
fulness for him."
AO hOb hhOW Al dLl lhLdll5tt OUT
when realize you are with the only
state institute, worth the name, as trus-
tee, and know how earnestly and hon
estly you are working for our youth,
think maybe Pm prophet, at least in
my own house.
And I'll venture the assertion if you
escape the 0cala postofflce you Will go
up very much higher in the affai rs of
the state and nation.
If old Jim Bennett had been presi-
dent of the United States, the Herald
would not be. Stanley would not
have found Emin. The Upper Congo
would, even now, be black country.
II Pulitzer had been postmaster, when
/ first knew him, Of either New Or
leans or st. Louis, the New York
World would now be scarcely menu
DRY.
Stick to the Banner. 1t brings you u
competency, and ON the lines you are
running it you will gain immortality
and the blessing Of all conservative
people.
II Mr.. Gladstone is a greater COM
moner than is the 0cala Banner fail
utterly to fand the superlative.
In your issue of December 22nd,
note: Sentiments in which the Ban
ner Concurs," 1.-THE Shame of our
Civilization" and "a Wonderful Let
ter"
Icannot express to you my appreci-
alton of those three articles.
1t does seem TO me that the ideas
advanced in them comprehends all of
the best civilization to be hoped for,
Christian, political and social. And ]
am satisfied if the people would read
more, think more, and, being advised
thus, act in unison, there are very few
evils of any kind soever but could be
easily obviated.
Now have not yet done with the
national banks and the people are in
the mean to blame for their existence,
very much more than are the banks
officials.
OF the nature of my business I've
had deal TO do with banks, and /
think my observations may be worth
perusal.
Let us take five of the oldest and
most powerful banks in Florida and
reckon the motives controlling them,
to wit: Next adjoining the old post
office and United States court room in
Jacksonville stands a little one-story
building, probably the oldest banking
house in Florida. 1t is one of the first
banks in which ever had any bust
ness, and its outside reminds one for
chilly Of the Chemical National Bank
of New York.
In this little building / first knew
Daniel G. Amber, the father of bank
lng In Florida, and he called his
place "Ambler's Bank"
No man ever lost dollar there,
and in the old days it comprehended
nearly all of the business and deposits
Of the entire state.
Then came the bank of Jackson
vile in the old Freedman's bank
building, owned by the Barnett fam
lily, another with which / had much
to do. Then buttons bank at Gaines
vile, with which Pve done many
thousands of dollars of business, and
then E. w. Agnew & Co.'s at Ocala,
all private banks and all absolutely
safe.
Now let us consi Ter some of the mo
tives which made these worthy ill.,
stitutions, or rather converted them
from private into national banks.
When the old "Ambler's Bank at
Jacksonville was at its best General
+. +. Spinner, ex secretary of the
treasury, and his son-in-law, Jas NJ.
Schumacher, came to Jacksonville.
They established the First National
Bank Of Florida, and it was the first
national bank ever in Florida. The
Barnetps had private bank but the
people being the depositors, had no
ton that the United States govern
ment guaranteed deposits put In ma
tional banks. A national bank was a
catchy new thing and caught the de-
posits. Mr.. Amber loved Florida, he
had made his money, his home, his
family, his all here. Reluctantly he
changed his banking houses name
and quarters; but he did not forget
his loved Florida. Ambler's bank be-
came the National Bank of the State of
Florida for what? To keep pace with
the demands of the rank, thoughtless,
depositing public. The Barnett's
bank, of Jacksonville, with Bion and
the old man, adhering to the love of