Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-02-06

| system Of thrift-teaching in the United
who introduced it into the schools Of
Beloit where it was successfully oper-
ated for five years.
The system in general use today is
that adapted from the French by Mr..
Thing, who introduced it into the
schools of Long Island, N. T., in 1886.
Under the careful supervision Of Mr.
Thing the pupils of the public schools
We're encouraged to make their weekly
deposits until they had deposited to
their credit the sum Of $4,000. Aggre-
gated statistics Of the money deposited
to their credit by the scholars of the
! United States since the school savings
system was established in 1885, show
| the amount to be 81, S64, SIS. including
! the savings through the Penny Provi-
dent of New York City, showing the
school children to be not an unimport-
ant factor in the acquired wealth Of
our nation.
| On January 1, 1907, the records Of
% states show the sum of 81, 223, $50 de-
posted by 1900 schools.
Mr.. Thing, who was for some years
school commissioner Of Long Island
! City, N. Y, has convinced the public
that by careful management and wise
instruction the children Of our public
schools may learn the relative value
Of money. and the wisdom Of economy.
Mr. Thing says: Frugality is one of
the most important factors Of citizen
ship. After a trial of fourteen years
of the school savings banks system
in America and its endorsement by the
highest educational authorities, with
the value of it's effects well proven,
why should not the reforners and edu-
Gators familiar with the present socio-
logical civilization encourage its estab-
lishment? Among the numerous SER
vices demanded of the teacher not one
should receive from a grateful public
more commentator than the introduce
ton into their classes Of practical les
sons in thrift and economy.
William T. Harris, L. L. D, United
States Commissioner of Education
says: IF every child can be trained to
save and. as well. given the knowledge
which assures his earning, much will BIZ
done towards protecting the very poor
from the temptations and sufferings OF
poverty. The school savings banks
have already yielded excellent results
in this direction. The system tends to
prevent pauperisnl, crime, intemper-
ance. prodigality and various vices, and
to make children thrifty, orderly.
economical and discriminating in ti.e
all phases of economy and propogatAs
virtue.
: We have as yet no complete history
of the savings system in our own
State. but are informed that it is i'll
: use in nearly every county. The
schools of our own city of Augusta
. are abreast of the times in this depart
) ment, - i'll every advanced eduoe-
| tional III philanthropic movement.
) The school savings bank was intro
duced into the Village District in 1860.
) Mr.. Boothby of the kennebec Savings
: bank generously cooperating with
principal and teachers in this simple
and practical method of securing for
; our boys and girls a self-respect and
5 only the possession of a bank accoun:
| can impar.
. We are unable at this time TO give
the aggregate deposits Of this district.
, The latest report, however, shows the
sum of $1,268.69 deposited during the
;. school year of 1906. with 249 pupils hav-
, ing kennebec Savings bank books. ard
, 294 others having deposits in the
{. school savings banks, their sums not
having reached the required interest
f bearing amount.
y When We consider that this repre-
e sents the small savings OF juvenile
= depositors which in most instances
t would have been spent at TIE candy
o counter or in purchasing needless lux
n uries or squandered in wasteful ex-
f travagance, we become at once aware
f of the wholesome influence Of thrift
h tea ching in our public schools. BY
0 this means our children are acquiring
s a spirit OF Self denial for the ultimate
: good. They are learning the all i'm
= portant lesson Of self-control. and are
= being brought early in contact with the
h conduct Of business affairs. All honor
: to our teachers who, by their palms.
j taking efforts are educating our youth
= along lire that will some day coun
J, teract the baleful influence of natural
= extravaganza.