In the first place, even the signature of the cashier of the country
bank will be enough to satisfy its correspondent in the city of the
genuineness of the draft. Before the country purchaser of the draft
has left the bank issuing the paper he will be required to make the
ink thumb print in a space for that purpose. Without this imprint the
draft will have no value. If the system should be in use, the cashier
signing the draft will not affix his signature to the paper until this
imprint has been made in his presence.
Then, with his attested finger print on the face of the draft the
stranger in the city may go to the city bank, appearing at the window
of the newest teller, if need be. This teller will have at hand his
ink pad, faced with a sheet of smooth tin. He never may have seen the
customer before. He never may see him again. But under the magnifying
influences of an ordinary reading glass he may know, past the
possibility of doubt, that in the hands of the proper person named in
the draft, the imprint which is made before him has been made by the
first purchaser of the draft.