The Topeka state journal., 1897-12-15

Probably no movement in the inter
est of the general welfare has ever
sprung into so sudden prominence or
attained so widespread popularity in
so short time as that for the estab-
Hshnient of a system of postal savings
banks. Postal savings banks have
been talked of for years, at least one
political party has indorsed them in
national convention and bills for their
establishment have been introduced in
congress from time to time, but it
cannot be said that the subject has
been seriously considered by the public
until recently.
Having at last caught the public's
attention. it is spreading like a prairie
fire. All classes of public men, from
the postmaster general down, are ad-
vocating the system. Labor unions and
many other organized bodies have
given it their Endorsement, and yester-
day the American Federation of Labor,
said to include a membership of 600,
600, through its accredited delegates,
appointed a committee to urge the mat
ter on congress.
Congress seems not to need much
urging. Already during the present
session, bills have been introduced in
both houses for the establishment of
pies savings. In a speech in support
of the measure in the senate this week,
Senator Butler urged as one of the
strongest points in its favor. that the
government would never again be un-
der the l-ecessity of borrowing money.
Hundreds of good reasons for the
adoption of the system have been ad-
vanced since it began to be discussed
and no serious objection to it.
The press of the country is almost
unanimous in it's support of the meas
ure.
The Review Of Reviews, in comment
ing on Postmaster General Gary's rec
ommendations says:
The report of Postmaster General
Gary, embOdying, as it does, the re
ports and recommendations Of the as
sistant postmaster general is an ex-
ceptiOnally important document. A
large part of the volume is devoted to
an argument to our mn1d, unanSWera-
bic, in favor of the prompt institution
by this country Of a postal savings
bank system The array of facts and
figures marshaled to show the timeli-
ness and Importance Of this step ought
to make a deep impression upon the
congressional mind. The enormous
growth of the postal money order bust
ness is adduced as showing how the
people already patrOnize the postal
service for the transmission of funds.
That they would avail themselves of it
to deposit their savings is beyond ques-
tion. Within a few years the deposits
would be counted by hundreds of mill
lions. The time is certainly auspicious
for the adoption of this policy of postal
savings banks. Further than that
however, it ought to be possible to
combine that policy with some plan for
the Improvement of the currency sys-
tenn.
The New Orleans Times Democrat,
on behalf of the section of the country
which it represents, says:
If congress provides for a system of
postal savings banks at the coming
session of congress it will benefit the
whole country, but no part of it more
than the south, where savings banks or
any other Institutions in which savings
can be deposited are few. The south,
therefore, is deeply interested in the
passage of this bill.
Not the least of the benefits to be de-
rived from the system will be the saw
ing to those who now invest in life in
surance and building and loan certifi-
Gates as a means of providing for the
future and are compelled to support a
lot of salaried officers.