Something About Checks

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 11, 1912

Something About Checks

A YOUNG man had kept in his possession for several days a check from his uncle. His uncle died, and he hastened to the bank to cash the check. When he found the bank would not pay the check until it had orders from the heirs or from the courts, he was surprised, and observed to his father that he thought of a check as being so much money if the signature was good.

As a matter of fact, however, a check is merely an order from A to B, who holds some of A’s money, to pay a certain amount thereof to C. It is not money, even if the names on the check are good and well known, and the bank is as solid as the government. Although checks are given in payment of debt, and a receipt is usually given on the spot, yet the passing of a check does not constitute payment of indebtedness until it is paid by the bank.

Nor will the concurrent receipting of the debt for which it is given, change this. If the check is not paid on presentation to the bank, the original claim stands against the drawer or giver of the check. But a certified check constitutes payment on the part of the person who draws it.

Checks may be antedated or postdated; that is, dated before or after the date of delivery. If postdated checks are paid before the day specified, the drawer can recover the money, for the bank has not acted in accordance with any order from him, but on its own responsibility.

If a blank is left for the date, the holder is authorized to insert the true date of delivery, but no other date. The insertion of any other date, or changing the date without the consent of the drawer, makes the check void.—Washington Star.

SEND me anywhere, provided it be forward.—David Livingstone.