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CONDITION OF TERRITORIAL BANKS Commissioner Search Makes Biennial Report of Financial Institutions Territorial Bank Examiner W. S Search has made his biennial report to Governor C. M. Barnes for the years of 1899 and 1900. The report shows all the banks to be in an admirable condition, but Mr. Search's statement speaks explicitely for itself: There are eightly -three teritorial banks doing business in Oklahoma and these have an aggregate capital of $714,177.91. and surplus and undivided profits $316,484.39 with deposits amounting to 2$,979,945.41. The resources In cash and sight exchange aggregate $2,104,200.27. or 53 per cent of deposits. The average of surplus and undivided profits to capital is 44 per cent. The biennial report of Bank Commissioner Pugh for 1898 showed fifty-five territorial banks. There has therefore been an increase of twenty-eight banks in two years which does not include the thirteen territorial banks which have been nationalized. The Lincoln County State Bank. Chandier. The Enid State Bank, Enid. The Cattlemen's State Bank, Mangum. The Kay County Bank. Newkirk. The Weatherford State Bank. Weatherford. The Bank of Tecumseh, Tecumseh, The Stillwater State Bank, Stillwater, The Farmers and Merchants' Bank, Stillwater. The Citizens' Bank, Stillwater. The Commercial Bank, Ponca City, The Bank of Pawnee, Pawnee. The Arkansas Valley Bank, Pawnee The Norman State Bank, Norman. One bank. the Payne County Bank of Stillwater, consolidated with the Farmers and Merchants Bank, of Stillwater. Two banks. the People's Bank of Billings and the Eugene Arnett State Bank of Earlboro went into voluntary liquidation. My examination of the Bank of Kingfisher on the 11th day of, August. 1900 proved it to be In an insolvent condition, and I took possession of It under section 29 of the banking law. Its affairs are now in charge of J. M. Specte, who was appointed receiver by the court. It. is expected that the creditors will realize 75 per cent. To the extent that I have been able to make a personal examination of the banks of the territory since my appointment, July 17. 1900, I have found them generally in a good condition, with the exception heretofore mentioned: and with the amendments to the banking law which experience and personal observation of its practical workings suggest to me as proper to refer to in this report. I believe this office can be placed In a position to favorably compare with similar departments in adjoining states, It ought t to be placed in such a position, as no othOF matter of public interest is of more importance to the people than the proper management of the banking Institutions. except possibly the public schools. Our present law enacted by the last legislature is patterned after that of the state of Kansas, and is a result of a demand by the bankers of the territory that d a judicious supervision might be had over this important branch of business, but to meet the conflicting condition of anfairs then existing ainong those already engaged in business interpoiations were inserted not entirely consistent with sound banking. As an experiment the appropriation made by the last legislature to cover the incidental expenses of the bank commissioner's office and to defray the traveling