Evening journal., 1898-03-07
WHAT IS A BANK?"

tor OF the Dover State Sentinel, one OF
tha Addicks organs OF Kent county
writes a long editorial under the cap
ton Of 'what is a Bank?"
That the public may more fully un-
aerstaud our references thereto we re-
print the following paragraphs;
This Is a very simple question. and
we'd there are in every community many
nersons who could not, II required,
eive an Intelligent answer TO the ques-
tion They know in a general way That
hanks exist; that they are places
where people who have a temporary
surplus OF money, deposit It for safe
keeping. They know that the banks
are provided with safes and vaults tor
keeping this money safe. They know,
too. that persons who deposit there
draw It ont when they have need FOR
a..
II general knowledge Of banks and
banking could be diffused everywhere,
much feeling, which in some cases
touches close TO antagonism, would be
dispelled and the bank would be as
signed. in the regard OF all men, its
riehtful place.
AT the last meeting OF the American
Bankers Association, a committee was
appointed to take up the work, and for
mulate some plan OF giving accurate
information to the people touching the
uses Of n bank I'm every community, the
object being to rid the subject OF any
feeling OF hostility which may exist
among those people who are not truly
informed The work OF this committee
has resulted IN the preparation OF
pamphlet which sets forth in the sim
plest manner possible, the work which
a bank does In a community. The
pamphlet is intended as a primer-the
facts stated are purely elementary and
cannot be disputed. The manner OF
statement and the language used Is so
clear that all can understand. II ought
TO be In the hands Of everyone who can
read.
It is a pity that the ex-cashier did not
study one OF those primers about six
years ago. Had he done 80, both he
and William N. Boggs would be behind
the counter Of the First National Bank
OF Dover to-day, instead OF one being
at the desk OF a country weekly after
having been forced out Of the bank by
the board OF directors, and the other a
self-confessed felon behind the bars of
New Castle JAIL with long term OF
imprisonment in immediate prospect
The ex-cashier OF the First National
Bank OF Dover should know from bitter
experience what a national bank is
what 1t ought to be, what 1t can be
be made. and what its legitimate place
is in a community. In his editorial he
does not tell half OF what he knows
concerning the character and workings
OF bank. He treats OF his subject IN
the abstract and with no degree Of par.
ticularity as to what bank Is wheI
conducted along such lines as was th'
First National Bank Of Dover under hit
management and control.
Let us take his text and remove th'
question hepropounds from theabstrac
to the particular applying it to tn
cornerstone OF the scandal now pend
ing In the United States Court.
A bank is an institution in which
cashier can sit at his desk while a sub
ordinate steals the entire capital stocl
amounting to 100000. and about $500
OF the surplus.
A bank is a place which can be use
as the depositoryof funds to be apple
TO the wanton and shameful corruptio
OF the manhood OF the State Of Della
ware.
A bank Is a place in which the casl
Ter and his teller can enter into pol
tics, and use the time and appliance
OF the institution to advance the TO,
tunes OF political adventurers.
a bank is a place which can be mat
the disbursing agent OF one OF the mo
corrupt and damnable political cont
nations which has ever threatened
fasten itself upon a sovereign state
debauch its manhood and to destroy /
free institutions
A bank is thing which can turn o
thief Of the first magnitude by pc
mitting It's officers to dabble in po
tics and stocks instead Of compellii
them to attend strictly to business.
A bank Is a thing which can turn 0
a modern Peter in his denial Of know
edge OF his former business and poll
cal associate which is made in the 4
lowing language: THE assertion II
w. n Boggs was an Addicks man
news to a good many. A Democrat /
cupying very exalted position,
stated openly and repeatedly that
bought Boggs at the election in 1ss
A bank is a thing which goes il
politics and then cries because 1t
hurt when the day Of Judgment com
and when those who have toyed W
Addicksism are called upon for an
counting.
A bank is a thing which endeavors
transform its own burden Of culpabi
and carelessness into criminality on
part of others.
In short, bank is Just what it's {
GERS and stockholders make II.
We do not believe that rhe people
Delaware want to be enlightened on
general principles OF banks and ba
~.