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About The Chemawa American (Chemawa, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 15, 1920)
I » rican P r i n t e d a t C h e m a w a , O r e g o n , a n d D e v o t e d to t h e i n t e r e s t s o f I n d i a n E d u c a t i o n Vol. X X III W ednesday, December 15, 1920 IT P A Y S TO SAVE No. 11 not pay sufficient compliments to our great school iu Thrift is a word we apply nearly altogether to its well-organized departments; but she said she was money, prudent living. It means the careful han compelled to criticize the propensities of our students to throw away so much money for absolutely worth dling of one s money the wisest possible expenditure less stuff; that the students were for that very reason of what is ours. It is a subject as old almost as man, largely ruining their careers, that such habits would but to each generation it seems ever new and is al ruin and cripple any idea of saving. In other words, ways a timely lesson for all. this constant spending of money— recklessly spending Thrift is a friend of man; it is a civilizer; its practice their last cent as they went along— would become fixed habits and would grow and result in the students gives an upward tendency to the life of an individual. having no thought for the future and would make of It is not only one of the principal foundation stones them worthless spendthrifts. of a fortune, but also the foundation of much which Again, it is known that many of our students write is excellent in character. It improves the quality of home to their parents for money, stating that it is de individuals and the exercise of thrift is a mighty strong sired to purchase food and other necessities, money indication of superiority in many ways. The habit of that the parents could not afford to send them, but deprived themselves in order to provide this money thrift shows self-control; it is proof that a person is for their children— and the children simply wasted not a weakling, not a hopeless victim of appetite, his such money in buying things that did them harm in weaknesses, but that such a person is a master of him- stead of good. We maintain that it is a sacred duty of men to save herself as well as of his money. We know well a certain percentage of their earnings for the protection that a thrifty boy or girl will not be slovenly in of those who may be depending upon them, as well as habits or dress, but will have a certain amount of for their own protection. Our poor houses are full of system and order; that they will be energetic and in spendthrifts. Young people fail to give much thought one way or dustrious and that they are very likely to grow up to the other in regard to the value of money. Just here be honest and efficient. lies the great fault in nearly all mankind. The abil Every one of our readers, especially our students, ity to accumulate money and property is closely re should cultivate the habit of being thrifty. It means lated to the way in which the first earnings are treated. that you have begun to be master of yourself, that This is true more in the spending than in the earning. you are commencing to develop those grand human It is a fact that nine times out of ten the man or woman qualities self-reliance, independence, prudence, fore who in earlier years of small earnings and light re sight— and that you are developing your resourceful sponsibilities have not saved from 25 to 50 per cent of their wages, no matter how small they may have ness. In other words, it indicates that you have a been, will never in later years save anything worth purpose in life and that you are developing manly while, regardless of the increase in their income. and womanly traits. To be thrifty merely requires They spend as they go. So, students and readers, get the habit of being common sense and the power of resisting selfish en thrifty. Let our students get the habit of thrift right joyments. It needs no fervent resolution, but only a little backbone and patient self-denial added to horse here at school, for unless you are able to deny your selves while young and refuse to be led to spend by sense. The more this habit of thrift is practiced the impulse, you will always be handicapped and will easier it becomes and the sooner you are compensated for the little sacrifices you make. Thousands of prove no match for the thrifty person in business affairs, or other affairs of life’s activities. You will dollars are absolutely thrown away each year in the always be “ hard-up,” or “ broke,” and borrowing purchase of things not needed by our Chemawa boys from your friends, finally to be cast upon the human and girls— things often harmful, rather than bene junk pile as worthless. ficial in any sense. The trash carried onto our cam Every-one at Chemawa, large or small, should have pus costs thousands of dollars annually. foresight and shrewdness enough to protect his earn Not long ago a very discerning and clever lady ings and unless he does he will be forced in the end visitor at Chemawa remaked that the various educa to admit that poverty hurts. Unhappiness, want and tional opportunities offered to Indian students here woe eventually overtake the spendthrift and those were remarkable in their high aims; that she could who depend upon him.
