The sun., 1886-12-09
DIVERS SUBJECTS.

THE FREEDMEN BANK.
desire to call the attention Of the CON- xress to
plain duty which the government owes to the
depositors of the Freedmen's Savings and Trust
company This company was chartered by the
congress for the benefit OF the most illitcrate
and humble If or paople aud with tue intention
of encouraging them to industry and thrift. Most
Of its branches We're presided over by officers
holding the commissions and clothed in the
uniform Of the United States. These and other
circumstances reasonably, l think, led these
simple people to suppose that the invitation to
deposit their hardearned savings in this insti-
sutton implied an undertaking on The part of the
government that their money should be safely
kept for them. When this company failed 1t
was liable in the sum of So, 929, ,925.22 to 6l,-
l31 depositprs. Dividends amounting in the
aggregate to 62 per cent have been declared, and
the sum called for and paid OF such dividends
seems to be 81 ,G4S. 1912. This sum deducted
from the entire amount of deposits leaves
S1,291, ,744.50 still unpaid. Past experience
has shown that large part of this sum will not
be called for There are assets still on hand
amounting to the estimated sum OF $4,000.
think the remaining 3S per cent of such of these
deposits AS have claimants should be paid by the
government, upon principles of equity and fair
ness. The report Of the commissioner, soon to
be laid before congress, will give more satis-
factory details on this subject. The control Of
the affairs of
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
having been placed in the hands Of purely ex-
ecutive officers while the congress still retains
all Legislative authority relating to its govern
ment, 1t becomes my duty to make known the
most pressing needs of the district and recon-
mend their consideration The laws of th dis
trict appear to be in an uncertain and unsatis-
factory condition, and the codifcation Of their
provisions is much needed. During the past
year one of the bridges leading from the dis
trict to the S tate of Virginia became unfit for
use, and travel upon it was forbidden. This
leads me to suggest that the Improvement of
all the bridges crossing the Potomac and its
branches from The city OF Washington is worthy
of the attention OF congress-. The commission
ers Of the district represent that the laws regu-
lating the sale of liquor and granting license
therefor should be at once amended. and
that legislation Is needed to consolidate,
define and enlarge the power of charitable
and penal institutions within the district.
suggest That the commissioners be clothed with
the power to make, within fixed limit tations po-
lice regulations. believe this power granted
and carefully guarded would tend to subserve
the good order of the municipality It seems
that trouble still exis growing out of the occu-
patton OF the streets and avenues by certain rail-
roads having their LerInni in the city, 1t 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 prop
erty. The commissioners again complain that
the accommodations afforded them for the nec-
esaary officers for district business and for the
safe keeping of valuable books and papers are
entirely inefficient. l recommend that this con-
ditlon of affairs be remedied by congress and
that suitable quarters be furnished for the needs
! of the district government In conclusion,
earnestly invoke such wise action on the part of
the peoples legislators as will subserve the pub7
lie good and demonstrate. during the remaining
days of the congress as at present organized its
ability and inclinaJions to so meet the peoples
need that it shall be gratefully remembered by
| an eXpectant constituency.
| WASHINGTON, D. c.. 1885,