The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1902-03-07

Harold Barnes. Superintendent BeIoit Cit
Schools. in Topeka Capital.
A school savings bank system, although
a comparatively new idea In the west, Is
in extensive use IN Europe, and has beer
for many years a special feature of the
schools of France.
1t was introduced into the United
States by Prof. J. H. Thirty, who first
used it in Long Island City, n. Y. in
1885. Until 1890 very few schools took
up the system, but since that time many
Of the large cities have adopted the plan
and the promoters, are very enthusiastic
IN their praise Of the method and of its
results. According to Prof Thiry's tab
ulated statistics, the sum of 1905 OILS 81
had been deposited by the pupils Of the
schools of the United States previous to
January 1, 1901. There were a number
Of schools using the system from which
no statistics were obtained, so that the
probabilities are that nearly a million
dollars were saved by the pupils between
the years 1885 and 1901.
INTRODUCED ~ RELoIF LAST YEAR.
The system was introduced into the
BelOit schools in the latter part of March,
1901, and was Immediately successful.
1t was begun first in the sixth grade,
Miss Mary Hill teacher, and from this
was soon extended to the fifth and sew
enth grades. 1t was not put into any Of
the other grades last year, but the re-
suits were found to be of such moral and
practical value that it was taken up by
all of the grades the present year.
The system is made as practical as pos
sible, the object being to install right
business habits into the mind of the
pupil.
Each child, upon making a deposit, is
given a bank book, which becomes his
own property. The teacher is the banker
and few minutes on Friday afternoons
constitute banking hours" The bank
ing hours are not strictly adhered to in
the lower grades, from the fact that it is
found advisable to receive deposits from
primary pupils whenever they are ready
to present them. Each teacher has
printed deposit slips upon which she
puts down the amount received from
each child. She also has bank checks
for the child to fill out when he wishes to
withdraw any of his money. By this
means the child learns the actual bust
ness forms incident to banking money.
No deposits or Withdrawals are allowed
unless the depositor presents his bank
book, and all business forms must be
complied with. The teacher banks the
money for the children and keeps &C
count of it. There is one drawback to
the full development of the system in
Beloit. There is no savings bank here,
hence the children do not receive inter
est on their deposits. While this fact is
to be deplOFed, it does not seem to effect
in any way the enthusiasm of the de-
positors.
BENEFITS OF THE SYSTEM.
A school savings bank teaches the
value of industry, of frugality and of
thrift. 1t inculcates habits Of thought
fitness, independence, generosity and
business-like methods Its tendency is
to prevent pauperism, crime. iDtemper-
ance and the growth of various vices. 1t
lessons to a great degree the cigarette,
candy, gum chewing and sweetmeat
habits, and thus checks the formation
and development of injurious appetites.
A little boy in the third grade said the
other day: IF you get nickle's worth
of candy and eat it up, Wy then your
niekle and the candy's both gone.a His
philosophy is good and his bank account
is growing.
There are a great many other pupils
who are beginning to look at the matter
in the same way. The very fact that the
pupil has a few cents or a few dollars II
the bank, and that he has a bank book
that shows for it, proves a great inspire
ton to him. He seldom wishes to with
draw any of it, and has growing inei
nation to add to it. This disposition
properly fostered, viii be a death blow Il
laziness, shiftlessness and improvidencr
in later life. All Of the pupils are urged
to earn money in any honorable way ant
to save it for some good purpose; to worl
for it and not to ask their parents for it
There are a great many one and tw'
cent deposits made each week, the child
rem being encouraged to deposit an.
amount however small. Those who neve
thought of earning or saving before ar
catching the spirit Of industry and ar
beginning to keep their eyes open for an.
odd jobs that will bring them in a fev
cents.
WAYS OF EARNING MONET.
The other day little bay in the frs
primary sold an old pair OF rubbers &c