Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1902-07-30
SCHOOL SAVINGS BANKS.
An Institution That Possesses Many
Virtues.

Virtues.
AL persons, especially parents, who
have the good of the coming genera
ton at heart will, no doubt, be in
terested in what Mrs. S. L. Oberholt-
ger has to say on the subject Of school
savings banks. Mrs. Oberholtzer, who
is we'll known among the local women
workers, has devoted several years to
the study of that institution, and has
Travelled considerably to promote its
progress, her addresses being inva-
riably received with favor. After a
most interesting interview with Mrs.
O5erholtzer one can but marvel that
this admirable idea is not in opera
ton in every school in our country.
Inclination and genius are inherit
ed, but character and fortune are
made" says Mrs. 0berholtzer. 1.-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 OF
the age, but here in our own city,
though Superintendent Brooks has ex.
pressed himself in favor of it, there
are enough dissenting voices to hinder
the plan"
The school savings banks system,
which was introduced into lhis coun-
try by Professor F. H. Thirty, in 1885,.
is now in operation in more than 800
public schools in the United States.
while the total savings of these young
depositors nave amounted to S900,OJJ.
These schools are scattered through
20 different states. The work was
flr,. taken up in Long Island City,
N. Y. public schools in 1885, and ever
since 1889 (by this time it had proved
its worth) the system has gained i'm
petus and advocates. 1t is in opera
ton in 16O Pennsylvania schools.
Those pioneer children of Long Island
City have saved and deposited since
1885, S119,SS0. At instance, nearer
al hand is our neighboring Chester,
where, with a school population of
5000, there has been deposited since
1880, sGS,516.
To Montgomery county, however, be-
longs the honor Of adopting the sys-
TEN in this state. Mrs. Oberholtzer,
then resilient of Norristown, became
interested and made an address before
the Teachers Institute in the fall Of
1859. A resolution was passed to
adopt the system in the schools at the
option of the districts of the Norris
town and Pottstown public schools,
and the children Of Norrlstown have,
since January, 1900, deposited sS7,237,
the school children of Pottstown fol-
lowing with $67,647.' These few
figures will give one an idea of the
money which may be saved instead of
trlttered 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 date for each Monday in the
school year, and places the amount OF
the scholars deposit, be it one or ten
cents, opposite his or her name. The
amount is also credited OH 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-
,clopc to the principal of the school,,
" hn in turn fo-lva rhc ,thc- c-anNalnneSS
collections from all the rooms to the
bank cooperating. at first the amount
is accredited as general school fund.
When deposit reaches 81 the deposit
or is indiyidualized and receives a
bank book, and once the sum OF So is
deposited it draws three percent in
tcrest
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. Camdens public school
scholars, 400 in number have deposit
ed $G5,9S since 1895.
Figure to yoursell just how well 1t
would be for the average youth or
maiden, upon being graduated, to have
a few hundred dollars in bank. 1t
would in some instances open the way
to further study; it would give the
budding merchant needed lift; to
others it would be the nucleus OF a
horne and independent old age. But,
best of all, it is remedy against pau
perism, and acts as preventive to
crime and intemperance. 1t fosters
thrift, economy, industry, self-depend-
ence, and produces sclf-respecting citi-
zens. No matter what the home con.
dition, child sees way to more
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 reserve fund to draw upon
Philadelphia Record.