Page 117 - Industries_of_San_Antonio

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COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES.
find places in which small savings could be deposited on interest. Recog-
nizing the propensity of the poorer classes to waste their small earnings,
often recklessly, it was proposed to provide a depository, where this class
could deposit such portion of their earnings as were not required for neces-
sities, encouraging them by paying them interest on the amounts so de-
posited. Thus habits of frugality were taught, those directly interested
were inspired with motives for industry, and their minds withdrawn from
temptation and vice, and society, viewing it from the standpoint of both
political economy and social order, has been vastly benefited. The earliest
of these, of which we have any account, was founded in Hamburg in 1778;
the next in Switzerland in 1787, at Berne; in England in 1804; in Paris in
1818. The first in the United States was established in Philadelphia in
1816, the Saving Fund Society, and it still exists in a flourishing condition.
The only savings bank in San Antonio is that carried on by the San An-
tonio Safe Deposit and Trust Company and Savings Bank, of which Mr.
L. Garza is the founder and the president, and in its trible capacity of
banking, savings bank and safe deposit and trust, it has already achieved
a flattering success, and possesses to an unusual degree the confidence of
the community. This institution was established in 1885 with ample cap-
ital and resources. Mr. Garza transacts ordinary banking. He also re-
ceives deposits from one dollar end upwards, paying thereon a semi-annual
interest. Another special feature is the safe depositing vault, constructed
by Mosler's Safe and Lock Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio, with all the
modern improvements, combinations and time locks. It is a very hand-
some addition to the interior of the building. The vault is built in the
banking apartment, separate and apart from the main building, with its
own massive foundation, unconnected with the main walls or foundation,
there being a clear passage way all around it 4 feet from bank office, 4 feet
from side walls, and 10 feet from rear of building. It is constructed of
stone, with walls 2 feet thick, lined with extra tempered steel. Inside are
the safe deposit boxes. They as well as the vault are burglar and fire-
proof. These boxes are rented out to parties, and in them they can deposit
valuables or money for safe keeping, and free access can be had to them
by renters at any proper time during ordinary business hours. The con-
venience of this system is manifest ; it does away also with the necessity
of keeping safes by private individuals. The vault is 12 by 14 feet in size,
8 feet high. The banking apartments are handsomely furnished. It is
even elegant in its arrangements and appurtenances. This institution has
all the advantages derivable from the prestige of Mr. Garza's name, his
experience and reputation for unflinching integrity and commercial honor,
his high order of business and financial ability, and people, recognizing
the enterprise and ambition of the man, are ready to entrust their money
with him. The name of Garza is an old, time-honored and respected one
in this section, and people will logically reason, that he who displays so
much nerve and determination and pride, in keeping unblemished the
family record for high-toned principles, can safely and prudently be en-
trusted to assist them in husbanding their means and bettering their con-
dition.