Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-12-10
FREEDMEN's TRUST COMPANY.
Poor DepOsftOrs Should be Reimbursed
by Congress for Losses.

f00r DepOsttOrs Should be Reimbursed
by Congress for Losses.
Idesire to call attention to the congress- b
aplain duty which the government owes 70
The depositors in the Freedmen's Savings and.
trustee. This company was chartered BY
the congress for the benefit of the most litter
ate and humble of our people, and with
the intention of encouraging their
industry and thrift. Most of it,
branches were presided over by officers holding
the commissions and clothed In the uniform
of the United States. These and other cir
cumetances reasonably, think, lead these
simple people to suppose that the invitation
to deposit their hard earned savings in this
institution implied an undertaking on the part
of the government that their money should
be safely kept for them. When this company
failed it was liable in the sum of 81, 92s 925. 20
to GLIB depositors. Dividends amount
ing In the aggregate to sixty
two per cent. Have been declared, and the sum
called for and paid of such dividends seems to
be 81 ,648, 1S1. u. This sum deducted from
the entire amount Of deposits leaves s., 29t,-
744. so still unpaid. Past experience has shown
that large part of this sum will
not be called for. There are assets etill on
baud amounting to the estimated sum of $l6,-
600. think the naming 3S per cent of such Of
these deposits as have claimants should be paid
by the government upon principles OF equity
and fairness. The report Of the commissioner
soon to be laid before congress will give more
satisfactory details on this subject.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Pressing Needs of tho District Brought
to tho Attention of Congress.
The control Of the affairs Of the District Of
Columbia having been placed in the hands Of
purely executive officers, while the congress
still retains all legislative authority relating
to its government, it becomes my duty to make
known the most pressing needs Of the dstric
and recommend their consideration.
The laws of the district ap-
pear to be in an uncertain aud
unsatisfactory condition, and their codifca-
past year one Of the bridges leading from tho
district to the state Of Virginia became unit
for use, and travel upon it was forbidden.
This leads me to suggest that the
improvement of all the bridges crossing the
Potomac and it's branches from the city of
Washington. is worthy Of the attention Of
congress. The commissioners Of the district
represent that the laws regulating
THE SALE OF LIQUOR
and granting license, therefor, should be at
once amended, and that legislation IL
needed to consolidate, define and enlarge the
power of charitable and penal institutions
within the district. I suggest that the com
missioners be clothed with the power to make,
within fixed limitations, police regulations. I
believe this power, granted and carefully
guarded, would tend to subserve the good or
der of the municipality. 1t seems that tlouble
still exists growing out Of the
occupation Of the streets and
avenues by certain railroads having their
terminus in the city. It is very important
that such laws should be enacted upon this
subject as will secure to the railroads all the
facilities they require for the transaction Of
their business. and at the same time
Protect CITIZENS FROM INJURY
to their persons or property. The commits
sionere again complain that the accommoda-
items afforded them for the necessary Offices
for district business, and for the cafe keep
ing of valuable books and papers are entirely in
efficient. recommend that this condition Of
affairs to be renedied by the congress, and
tpat suitable quarters be furnished for tho
needs of the district government
In conclusion earnestly invoke such wise
action on the part Of the peoples Legislators
as will subserve the public good and demon
strate during the remaining days of the con.
gress. as at present organized its ability and
inclination to so meet the peoples needs that
it shall be gratefully remembered by an e1.
pectant constituency.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
WASHINGTON, Dec g. 1886.