The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1902-07-10
SCHOOL. SAVINGS BANKS.
An Institution That Possesses Many


have the good of the coming seiera-
ton at heart will, no doubt, be in
terested in what Mrs. S. L. Oberholt-
zer has to say on the subject OF school
savings banks Mrs. Oberhoitzer, who
is we'll known anlOng the local women
workp;s, mas devoted several years to
the study of that institution, and has
travelled considerably to promote It's
progress, her addresses being lnva-
riab1y received with favor. After
most interesting interview with Mrs
Oberholtzer one can but marvel that
this admirable idea is not In opera
ton in every school in eur country.
"Inclination and genius are inherit
ell, but character and fortune are
made says Mrs. Oberholtzer. THE
subject of school savings banks is one
of great national interest, because as
we develop in thrift and individuality
the wealth and strength Of the nation
increases. In Lurope it is Admittedly
one of the best educational factors or
the age, but here in our own city,
though Superintendent Brooks has ex'
pressed himself in favor of ii, there
are enough dissenting voices to hinder
the plan"
The school savings banks system,
which was introduced into l,!is coun:
try by Professor F. H. Thirty; In 1888;
is now in operation in more than 500
5ublic schools in the United States.
while the total savings of these young
deposltors nave amounted to 100000.
These schools are scattered through
20 different states. The work was
frs. taker. up in Long Island City,
n. Y, public schools in 1885, and ever
since 1859 (by this time it had proved
it's WORTHY the system has gained I'M
petus and advocates. 1t is in opera
ton in 160 Pennsylvania schools.
Those pioneer children Of Long Island
City have saved ami deposited since
1885, s1lS,sS0. At instance, nearer
at hand is our neighboring Chester,
where, with a school population OF
5000, there has been deposited since
1890, sG3,51G.
To Montgomery county, however, be-
longs the honor of adopting the sys'
TEN in this state. Mrs. Oberholtzer,
then a resident of NorristoWn, became
interested and made an address before
the Teachers Institute in the fall OF
1889. A resolution was passed to
adopt the system in the schools at the
option of the districts Of the MOTIFS
town and Pottstown public schools,
and the children of Norristown have,
since January, 1900, deposited SS7,237,
the school children of Pottstown fol-
lowing with s67,647. These te"
figures will give one an idea OF the
money which may be saved instead OF
trittered away on cheap candies, dis
gusting gum and other stupid or harm
full temptations.
1t is all very simple. The teacher
is provided with the roll books and the
copyright cards. She calls the roll
every Monday morning from this roll
book, which is conveniently arranged,
with a cate for each Monday in the
school year, and places the amount or
the scholars deposit, be it one or ten
cents, opposite his or her name. The
amount is also credited on the copy
right card, which is then handed back
to the pupil who keeps it as memo
ranium and receipt. This card IS
brought to school every Monday morn
ing, when a deposit is made.
After the roll-call the teacher counts
the money, and sends it in sealed en-
1elope to the principal Of the scnool,
who in turn forwards the enveloped
collections from all the rooms to the
bank cooperating. at first the amount
is accredited as a general school fund.
When a deposit reaches 81 the deposit
or is indiyidualiZed anG receives
bank book, and once the sum OF S5 is
deposited it draws three percent In
terest.
On the last Friday of each month
the children are given their bank
books to take home, so that they may
compare them with the cards. Many
parents themselves open bank ac-
counts. Camden's public school
scholars, 4e9 in number, have deposit
ed $65,2S4 since 1895.
Figure to yourself just how we'll 1t
would be for the average youth or
maiden, upon being graduated, to nave
a few hundred dollars in bank. 1t
would in some instances open the way
to further study; it would give the
budding merchant a needed lit; 10
others it would be the nucleus OF
ho1ae and Independent old age. But,
best of all, it is remedy against paul
perism, and acts as a preventive TO
crime and intemperance. 1t fosters
thrift, economy, industry, self-depend'
ence, and produces self-respecting cltl'
zens. No matter what the home con-
dition, a child sees a way TO moro
content and less contention" in this
saving of pennies that the dollars may
have the chance to look after them
selves. In case of sickness, too, or
other misfortune, it is convenient to
have a reserve fund to draw upon