The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1916-03-02
The School Savings Banks.

The School Savings Banks
The School Bank has been in use i,
the lower grades of the public schools O
this city for some years, and has servet
a good purpose. In this connection the
following leaflet, issued by the W. c. T.
IT,, will be of interest:
The Importance of Thrift Teaching.
The system of School Savings Banks
which is being developed and extended
by the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union, is receiving the hearty approva
of our leading bankers and statesmen.
and has been made part of the school
system of several States, and is BEING
earnestly advocated in some others. II
Is safe to say that ere long it will meet
with the success which it's authors pre.
dicted. Surely, if the Postal Savings
Banks, with their very low rate of but 2
per cent interest, can accumulate so
many millions of deposits since their es-
tablishment, the School Savings Banks
ought to be doubly attractive, with their
dividends of percent, and the invest
ment is probably safe. Any safe propo-
sition that guarantees an increased re-
turn of 100 percent ought to appeal to
every one of average business sagacity.
The great object of our Public School
system is to fit and prepare our boys and
girls to obtain a livelihood in after years.
But, running parallel with this impor-
tart work, should be the teaching of
thrift and economy; for, if our scholars
do not acquire the habit of saving; know
how to invest and judiciously expend
their income, their education has been
most decidedly one sided. For we all
must admit that an educated spendthrift
is greater menace than an ignorant
one. With these facts before us, | sin-
cereIy urge upon every State, county and
local Woman's Christian Temperance
Union the importance of making Wig
orous campaign among our school Of
ficials and impress upon them the value
of the work, until it is introduced into
every Public School where the attend
ance iustifies it. If each scholar in the
State should save but five cents per
week, it would amount to more than
$500, 900 year; or, in ten years, to more
than Sc, 500, 900. The enthusiasm of so
great work ought to inspire every boy
and girl with determination to make it
a success. Anarchists and Socialists are
not bred from property holders; so, give
our boys and girls bank account, and
let them know that they are identified
with the business interests of the ma
ton, and it will be to them one of the
greatest inspirations to patriotism that
can be placed before them.
If we are to be successful in obtaining
the franchise for women, it will practi-
cally double the present voting popula-
ton. We are all agreed that too large
part of the vote is now ignorant, unduly
influenced and basely commercialized.
The women are no better versed in eco
Monies than are the men; hence it will
follow that this dangerous vote will still
retain its present ratio. Have we any
right to so increase the total vote until
we have first elevated the intelligence
of the voters? The surest way to do
this is to train our girls to habits of
thrift and economy, and to instll into
their minds the Importance of the sacred
duty we hope soon to see conferred upon
them. To be familiar with the econom-
icaI and financial affairs of our munich
pality, State and nation is absolutely es-
sential to the intelligent use of the right
of suffrage, and it is the first duty of the
State to see to it that every scholar is
fitted to exercise this right. The citizen
ship of the State must be cast in COM
mon mould, and that mould in this ma
ton is the common school! Teach our
children habits OF thrift, and the wise
use of their own money, and they will be
better fitted to vote, to tax, appropriate
and expend the property of their fellow
citizens. This is one of the most i'm
portant features of governmental action.
The lessons of thrift and economy are
capital to the children of poor parents.
Let US see to it that these lessons are so
learned that they may be
safe foundation upon which these chill
dren may transact business in the COM
ing years. ELLA A. BARTON SMITH,
W. C. T. U. State Supt. of School Saw
ings Banks, Thorndike, Me.
This paper was sent to the State Sup
of Public Schools of Maine
by Mrs. Smith, and he returned 1t with
the following endorsement:
My dear Mrs. Smith: have read with
great interest the enclosed article, and
find no point in which l would make any
change. l entirely endorse your posi-
ton. PAYSON SMITH.
Eor l;+,r,+,,ro addroec National WO-