The Unannounced Arrival of the Bank Examiner

Among the various functionaries under pay of the United States government, there is one whose duty is a pleasant one, if pleasure can be said to lay in the handling of great stores of gold, silver, paper and other collateral. The position is that of National Bank Examiner, and the requirements are that he who holds the position must visit cities in the territory under his jurisdiction containing National Banks and make personal and crucial examinations of the funds, condition and general standing of each banking house. Discoming is like unto the judgment day. No man knoweth the hour, and he is apt to slip in at the most unexpected moment. The gentleman who holds this responsible position for the Pacific Coast is Hon. N. P. Langford, who makes his headquarters at St. Paul. Mr. Langford arrived in Spokane Falls last Monday, unheralded and unannounced. Early in the morning, before the opening hour, he called at the First National Bank of this city. As he had not telegraphed that he was coming, there was no reception committee in waiting. The First National Bank stands too firm and is too substantial to fear the most rigid examination as to its stability and resources. The Examiner of Banks was courteously received and the books, papers and cash were turned over for his inspection. In a very brief period, he was enabled to pronounce the institution in first-class condition, with everything running in systematic order, and a most excellent exhibit of prosperity.