The Seattle Republican. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1???-1915, 1901-12-27
TO ESTABLISH BANKS.


Mr.. W. P Pettiford, who is presi-
dent of the Alabama Penny Savings
Bank, located at Birmingham, has a
most remarkable article in the South
ern Workman, publication issued
monthly from the famous Hampton
Normal and Agricultural Institute for
Negroes and Indians, which labors to
encourage the establishing of small
banking institutions in those cities
and communities in the South where
there are large numbers of colored
folk, and he cites facts and figures 10
prove that it will be the strongest III
centive for them to save their money
and become independent citizens, the
same as their white brethren, that
could be put forth At present there
are only three such banking institu-
tions in the South, and the results of
their efforts towards inducing the
members of the colored race to save
their earnings and bank the same, are
exceedingly flattering. In comparing
cities that have no such banking IN
stltutions with the cities that have
such, it shows a decided advantage
in favor of the latter In the way Of
bank deposits on the part of colored
folk over cities that have none. Says
he: Atlanta, with no such institu-
tions to stimulate it's colored popula-
tiOn to save, has only 1000 colored
depositors in the banks of that city
out of total colored population of 80.
600, or one out of every thirty. Rich
mond, Virginia, with a thriving in
stitution of this character, has 5000
colored depositors out of total col
ored population of $4,000, or one out
of every nine. Birmingham boasts
of 5000 colored depositors $4,000 of
whom deposited with the bank with
which the writer is connected), out
of total colored population of 20 900,
or one out of every four. These three
thriving Southern cities blessed with
equal prosperity and promise, furnish
convincing proofs of the great power
eXerted by such institutions" Here
is another convincing proof of the
facts advocated by The Republican
in its criticism of one certain debate
mentioned in another connection, and
clearly demonstrates the fact that the
citizenship of the colored man of this
country is not theory, but an actual
fac+ and if he but grasp the oppor-
tunity he can use it to the best
advantage to become as potential as
any other distinct nationality in the
land. Instead of the Southern white
man opposing such legitimate and
meritorious propositions, they should
favor them, and offer them every as-
sistance possible to keep them af1oat
On this point Mr. Pettifor's own
words are quoted: ''The Birmingham
Penny Savings Bank. has enjoyed
ever since it's establishment, the moral
support and cordial good wishes of
the white people Of that section" He
further quotes from the Charleston
News and Courier, to verify the
friendliness of the whites for sucn
institutions: THE Negro with a bank
account, with houses and lands and
with education in the practical things
of life is a far better citizen and
saver, and a more desirable neighbor
than the Negro who is stepped in
ignorance, and has really no part in
the life of his country" This shows
that the whites, as a general thing,
are equally as anxious as the Negro
himself for the Negro to become fl
nancially influential and enjoy more
than a mere life of wretched poverty
Be good to yourself, buy your hol-
iday presents at Goldmans' jewelry
store, corner Second and Marion.
Main 305 is the telephone number
Of The Seattle Republican.
The Office Of The Seattle Republi-
can is now at 1411 Third avenue
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