The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1907-05-18
Some Figures Which Show That the Irish Of
Boston Are Not toBe Classified as
Poverty Stricken.
TheyNow Comprise 65Per Cent ofthe Pop
ulation of Boston and 80 Per Cent
of the Entire State.

For many years it has been said,
and often with sneers and contemptu-
Gus derision, that the Irish were not
thrifty, says the Boston Republic
"Why don't they save?" said those
who were thoughtless, or who, actu-
ated by deep-rooted purpose, aimed
to give insult.
Occasionally a public speaker would
give utterance to a defense that might
satisfy those who actually listened to
him. But the defense went no farther
The daily newspapers dared not tread
upon the dangerous shoals of religion
and racial animosity.
The consequent result was that the
Celt, not having a champion, and con-
tinually undefended, was generally be-
lieved to be wasteful Of his substance,
careless of the future and Indifferent
to the material aspects Of life.
The young man seeking to enter
business felt the crushing oppression
of the contempt bankers and banks
passed out to the Celt. He was re-
fused credit at the banks. and forced
to overcome handicaps discouraging in
the extreme.
The Republic realized that there
was something wrong, that there was
some leak. Where was it? No one
seemed to Know It was a grave
problem.
Celts who have "made good" in the
business world were asked for an ex-
PLANTATION. They were unable to Of
fer satisfactory answers. The inves-
tigation went on. At last a clue that
promised much was found. 1t pointed
to the management of the savings
banks. Diligently. and with extreme
care, the reports of these banks were
examined.
Men in position to speak officially
were interrogated. Bankers were ques-
toned, and the whole field surveyed.
Weeks Of close investigation showed
that the savings banks were the in
direct cause of the handicaps con-
fronting the Irish Catholic business
man.
It was found that the gross deposits
in the twenty-one savings banks Of
Boston were over $2o0,0oo,0o0. 1t was
learned that the majority of the de-
positors were of Irish blood
The deposits of all the savings banks
of the state totaled up to more than
$670OOOO0O, and it was admitted that
at least so per cent of all depositors
were of Celtic blood. This showed
that the reserve wealth of the Celt of
Boston was l7iore than 100000
and in the state. as whole, it was at
least ssoo,ooo,ooo. What became of this
money?
That was the. all-important ques-
tion. 1t was found by an examination
of the bank reports that more than so
per cent Of all these millions went into
corporate concerns, into railroads,
Street railways, national banks ana
many f1y-by-night schemes and un-
safe ventures. The Celt received no
benefit.
The money deposited by him in the
savings banks was turned over to
banks and railroads, and he was even
denied the privilege of borrowing
against his own savings.
Even mortgage money was prac-
tically denied him.
Space does not permit of rehearsing
facts, handled in detail in special ar
ticles published in The Republic dur
ing the past eight months.
Ex-Governor Douglas felt the force
of the appeal, and despite the pressure
of the banks and the influence of the
railroads and corporate interests. he
appointed man believed to have the
confidence Of the wage workers Of the
state. Last May the governor had
ignored the voice of The Republie.