The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-09-05

sired to reach. These stations are
supplied with stamps of various de-
nominations to the amount of say $12.
A folded card which is not transfera-
BILE is given to each would-be depos-
itor who buys from the treasurer or
subtreasurer stamps as he feels able.
The stamps are St. Paul product in
design and workmanship, and are
neatly engraved and adhesive, each
being a different color to denote their
value, as follows: One-cent, blue;
Scent, red; scent, brown; 10-cent,
black; 25-cent, green, and 81, orange.
In effect these stamps are receipts for
deposits, and are affixed to the in
side of the card at the time Of their
purchase. They are not good if they
are detached When the depositor
wants his or her money, a few days
notice is given and the card is re-
deemed. No book can be redeemed
unless stamps to the value of so cents
or more are attached. No bookkeep-
ing is required by the subtreasurer
at the stations, as the amount of de-
post is shown by the stamps When
the card is Cancelled the depositor re-
ceiveS his money and receipts for the
same. The value of the redeemed
books average about $1.07. Aside from
the stamp stations a collector is en-
ployed WHO'D makes weekly visits to
the homes and collects the sums saved
for her. This means Of interesting the
people is found to be the most sue
cesSful, as many who are too 1ndOlent
or busy to visit the stations will will
ingly save a few pennies for the COL
lector each week. AS rule, the mon
ey is saved by the children for cloth
ing for themselves or for presents,
hence the fact that so many of the
books are redeemed before they are
half filed. Many are at present saw
ing for Christmas or for their Easter
suits, and one depositor saved his
money during the spring for high
old time" on the Fourth. He had no
burned fingers, either.
The association was provided at the
start with $1,000 stamps, which were
worth over $1,000. When the money
deposited by some individual reaches
the amount of S. he is urged to de-
posit it in some bank, and then he
draws interest. Previous to this, Of
course, he draws no interest, though
in every other way the system an
swers for him all the purposes of a
bank. And right here is the only
thing about the entire scheme which
can in any way come under the head
of charity. The money must be cared
for, and some one must be hired to do
so. The idea was in the interest of
the wage earners, and was projected
chiefly for their benefit, there also be-
ing in mind the educational feature
as related to the child, but the bank
failures last summer interfered seri-
ously with the scheme among the old
err people and with the children also.
One small boy who had an account
with the association greeted the col
lector very seriously the day so many
banks closed their doors in st. Paul,
and asked soberly: rs our bank
busted?'' How much have you In
your bank?" asked the interested gen.
tleman. Seven came the prompt
response, the distinction between dol
lars and cents being evidently I'M
known. The mothers, of course, be-
came interested in the children's saw
INES, and, aside from interesting their
neighbors in the scheme, oftentimes
came to the station themselves with a
small sum, some times to the amount
of SIS, which they wish to deposit. At
first many feel the amounts are too
small to even consider, but it is hoped
that the winters experience will lead
many to save. And, while the money
placed in bank is easily withdrawn
this plan puts the money out of i'm.
mediate reach, while, at the same
time, it Is always to be had. OF course,
few will care to draw their savings
d
for circus money. There is always a
feeling of personal pride about the
matter which keeps many from draw
ing their money till they actually need
it, like the small boy who wanted to
buy his money for pair of shoes"
Mr.. Jackson says that every winter
many families have to have assistance
when if the same people had been in
duced to lay aside a small amount 1t
a
charity interests of the city. He says
too. that the recent hard times taught
many people the need of having money
laid up. and that the business depreS-
sion fell heaviest on the improvident,
and he feels that the experience will
teach many to save when they con-
veniently and safely can place a small
sum of money in this way and there is
also developed spirit of independence
and self help Mr.. Jackson is greatly
pleased with the success of the scheme
which has been alive ten months dur
ing which time they have only hoped
to get the system nicely started There
has been during that time nothing to
undo and no fault to find. Only some
minor details have had to be changed.
Testimonials have been received from
people esteemed, and while few pauper
families have been reformed the work
has been preventive rather than re-
forming. More deposits were received
during August than at any time since
the beginning of the work, which has
been progressing right along since
July f. Father Lawler proposes to put
one of the stamp stations into one of
his schools this month, and there are
promisis of the instituting of several
others.
One of the objections to the work
raised by some who have interested
themselves in it, is the fact that no