The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-04-30

There are about a half-doZen
names associated in English History
with the foundation of Savings-Banks
Daniel Defoe is said to have proposed
them in 1922, and exactly one hun
bred years afterwards, on May Z, 1893
a clergyman in Wendhover Bucking-
hamshire. started the first savings
bank in England. He (the Rev. Joseph
SMITH commenced the work by re-
ceiving deposits from his parishioners,
and he undertook to repay the money
with interest"
But it was not until 1916 that the
Post Office savings banks were started.
Charles William Skies, a cashier in
the Huddersfeld Banking Company,
was said to be the originator of the
idea of system of savings banks I'M
der the control of the government
The Right Hon. William Ewart
Gladstone introduced the POST Office
Savings-Banks Bill in the House of
Commons on February 8, 1861.
On September 16, 1851. four months
exactly after her Majesty gave her as
Savings-Bank Act came into opera
ton in Great Britain. Three hundred
post-office savings banks were opened
at as many post-office moneyorder Of
fees, and the sum of nearly ISL, 900
was lodged by 435 poor people on the
first day.
The article in THE Arena" traces
the entire history of the changes and
growth in this most excellent system.
In September, 1861, 1t started with
the deposits just given. In 1903, the
AS deposits had grown to 9,403,S52,
and the $4,000 deposited to some
$3.50, 100000. Taking the population
of Great Britain and Ireland at slight
ly over 100000, we find that one
person in every four and one-half has
depo, It's in the postoffice savings
bank; and that the average amount
deposi by each poor person is ex-
actly E 0s., or some SIS, each. Now
who co tute this vast mass of near
nine ant half millions of depositors
in the p .stal Savings Banks of Great
Britain? In 1855, there were a half
million depositorS OF these 2S5,000
were females children under age, or
trustees Of small amounts. 100000
were mechanics, artisans, porters, do
mestic and farm-servants, policemen,
laborers, boatmen, fishermen and sea-
men; and $4,000 were tradesmen, then
assistants, farmers and clerks. In 1875
the following grades or orders of in
vestors were known in the postoffice
savings banks of Great Britain and
Ireland: Cd Minors; ca laborers; CD
married women; CD married women.
The people have guaranteed TO
them, ed Absolute security from
loss; CD convenience of making de-
poSitS; I'D repayment not affected by
change of residence; (4) safety against
personation and fraud; 60 prevention
Of poverty. for temporary want, by de-
habits of thrift and saving,
CD gives, where no otehr banks ex-
11on Of Nv,
poSit."
That the establishing of the Postal
Savings Banks of Great Britain have
proved through the decades a most
safe, advisable, convenient, profitable
for the poor OF the Brit
ssh Kingdom no sane man will attempt
70 disprove. What is our own country
doing in this direction
1t is but rarely / touch upon politi-
cal questions and politicians in these
latter DAYS. For some eight years I
nave been most decided and unfalt-
ering admirer of Hon. William j.
Bryan So far from losing confidence
n him, and sympathizing with the
pertinaciouS detractionS
and ISLANDERS that Clevelandites were
won't to heap upon him, he has stead
ly grown in my admiration and con-
1dence in him. He is a greater man
n my opinion in 1906 than he was
n his two great, marvellous campaigns
n 1896 and 1900. He is in my judg-
nent a statesman of great wisdom. an
orator of most marked supremacy,
citizen of the highest purity. a stead
asst Christian, born leader of mani
old gifts, having the forecast and
vide range of information of genuine
utmost fidelity to well
BASED principles. and a manly courage
md confidence, so essential in the
of a statesman and an
nspirer of men.
l am not politician myself. but ]
study men and principles. 1 have read
great historic works and have studied
political economy. and / hold Mr.. 1
Bryan to be both wise and a great
nan, having no equal in the United
states at this hour. He has always
,orne himself with most admirable
ooise and circumspection, is endowed
With perspiracity and forecast and has
lever surrendered principles to exped-
ency at any time, but has with bed
ock firmnesS and constancy main
aimed the right and been ever faith
III to the Amei lean peoD'e.
The Norfolk, Va, Pilot is an ably
edited daily, aid il is soundly Demo-
ratio. Writing of Mr.. Bryan not long
go, it said clearly, boldly. truthfully:
''It seems to us that William j.
Bryan was never so deserving of the
dmiration and esteem of Democrats
# all shades of opinion as he is to-
lay. He has his fight in the open.
lie won in part and lost in part.
'Mr. Bryan is a larger lnan than W.
lad thought him to be, and, look you
lie is a comparatively young man rs
'et.
And so what is the use of abusing
lin? He has stayed by the ship. RE
las stood the gait. He has demon
trated both his courage and capacity.
Why not let him alone and cease to
rritate those who admire in him what
III fair-minded men must concede to
,e admirable qualities?'
His recent address on Thomas Jcf
erson was of high excellence and
POLITICAL value. 1t should be studied
~ all Democrats.
If / was a man of pecunary re.
,ource / would be glad to gather and
publish at venture d small volum"
If selections from three most eminen.
Luth ors-Shakespeare, Cervantes and
aontaigne. / would choose all of the
wisdom and sayings by the first named
hat has passed into the common Ian
cuage of the people. who have uncor