Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-12-07
OKLAHOMA ASSOCIATION IN CoNvEN'
TON AT SHAWNEE.
TALE OF PROSPERITY TOLD
NOT A BANK FAILURE IN OKLAHOMA
DURING PAST YEAR.
President Joseph w. McNeaI Defends
Banking Profession Against
Charges of DemagoEues and
Ignorant Persons-Ban-
quet Last Evening.

SHAWNEE, o. T, Dec. 6.-(Special.) The
third annual convention of the Oklahoma
Bankers Association was begun to-day
with a large attendance. Mayor George
W. Overstreet made the addresses of well
come. President Joseph W. McNeal, pres
ident of the Guthrie National bank, then
delivered his annual address. He said:
The Oklahoma Bankers Association met in their
third annual convention under most aIspcious cond-
tons The oidtime pacard, This bank closed. De-
rositors will be paid in full,' has been used IN
q single instance since last meeting. As stated
IN the late Thanksgiving rroclamstions. we have
been blessed with a year Of great abundaace. The
supply from pasture and field has been great, but
the demand has Quickened its pace and prices have
raised everything, except money. Did We belong
TO the bowling class, We might resoute against this
ubiquitous discrimination against our business. and
demand laws that raise the price OF money 10 Just
level with other stable articues.
Contrary TO a general belief during the good
times banks charge less and make more than In dull
times. The accumulation OF wealth is an ESSENTIAL
factor IN family hapPiness good citizenship go ana nss
own. hath denied the faith and is worse than
inhdel.'' is as true to-day as when penned by in
Epired hand.
In Raymond's life of Lincoln is told the story of
what Lincoln said about the first dollar he ever
earned. He about is years OF age when he
engaged TO take two men and their trunks in boat
made by himself, from the shore out q steamboat.
They voluntarily paid him half dollar each for his
labor. Lincoln said, 81 could scarcely credit that
q poor boy, had earned dollar In less than day.
The world seemed wider and faIrer before
was more hopeful and confident being from that
time"
An empty stomach and scanty clothing don't pro-
duce heroes. The citizen who has his home paid
for is better patriot than is satisfied
&c be always tenant Industry and economy will
provide every person of good health with an abun-
dance of the essentials of this life-food, clothing
and shelter We must educate the boys and girls
be resourceful. II one line OF work is overcrowded
let them shift TO something else. A boy or girl
that do but thing is of no account and
ought to starve The initiative faculty is
OF success. Without II you might well stand to
one side and see tie procession go by. or get
over and have 10 rely on involuntary bankruptcy.
Making and saving money are the great anchors
20 keep the boys and girls out of vicious habits To
make money puts twinkle in the eye. elasticity
10 the step and yigor Of purpose unknown TO the
trfning. lazy, improvtdent person. Moneymakers
found schools. support churches. care for the un-
fortunate, love their fellow men. obey the golden
rule. give employment labor and are the back
bone of good government
There is an ignorant prejudice against banks and
bankers Many persons believe that the business Of
banking is not In harmony with the .sest interests
of other lines Of business That the mIsfortunrs of
Others are the meat that bankers feed upon and
wax fat The absurdy of this proposition is patent
TO all except the ignorant the political dema-
Eogue. 1t would be easier handle the Ql,mmerce
ers are somewhat to blame for this uIwarrsnted
prejudice They usually act on the Principle of
keep sim and deny nothing" Busisess main
tans higher standard of honor than any other pro-
fession or business Whose word goes farther than
the banker's' Who is made trustee for SO mauy
business deals as the bankerl
The greatest compliment that be paid a man
is TO say The is good a bank" Lei us nut on,
banners on the outer walls and demand that no dis
elimination be made against business in either
taxation, politics or religion. We help SUPPORT I'M.
agricultural and mechanical college, three normal
schools and university in Oklahoma, but practical
schools. ~
There 4 lot OF so-called business colleges all
over this land that advertise teach banking and
bookkeeping, and will graduate q school boy in
ninety days Such fakes ought be run out of bus-
ness Did any OF you try OF the fresh youn.
graduates from some business college. II So / ven
trre you found that all the practical ideas they had
would rattle in mustard seed. The banker sbouId
understand the law OF contracts law Controlling
the liabilities OF makers, ndorsers guarantors ~
notes. what constitutes negotiable instrument
and the general principles governing the law mer-
chant These principles should, and OF right ought
of our bankers, but many lawyers we'll IL Is NOT
my purpose 10 occupy your time with any general
discussion Of any OF the various branches of bank
number OF ablest bankers are on the nro
gramme. and we will be get something good
ont of their discussion.
Our worthy territorial bank examiner will fur
nish US with the latest data showing the growth of
our business during the last year, On per cent of
growth Oklahoma stands the head of the list but
her per capita wealth lacks much OF being equal to
old communities We have multi -milIionaires or
years will change territorial swaddlIng clothes
for full dress statehood suit and lots of millions
aires New men, new enterprises and new money
VIII help us put Oklahoma at the head of. ali the
states admitted during the past twenty three years
You brethren may not have fully appreciated the
TACT that your business in this life but prepara-
ZION TO famiiiarize yourselves with the conditions