New Ulm weekly review., 1886-12-15
DIVERS SUBJECTS.
TEE FREEDMEN's BANK.

desire to call the attention of the congress 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 iliterate
| and humble OF our people and with the intention
OF encouraging them to industry and thrift. Most
OF its branches were presided over by officers
| holding the commissions and clothed in the
| uniform of the United States. These and other
circumstances reasonably, think, led these
simple people to suppose that the invitation to
deposit their hard learned savings in this insti-
tuition 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 $2o29, 1925. % to 61,-
131 depositors. Dividends amounticg in the
aggregate to 81 per cent have been declared, and
| the sum called for and paid of such dividends
seems to be 81, GAS, 1912. This sum deducted
from %, the entire Ea amount Of deposits leaves
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 I
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 salts
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, it becomes my duty to make known the
most pressing needs Of the district and recon-
mend their consideration. The laws of tn dis
trict appear to be in an uncertain and unsatis-
factory condition, and the codifcaton of their
provisions is much needed. During the past
year one Of the bridges leading from the dis
trict to the State Of Virginia became unfit for
use, and travel upon 1t 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 I
suggest that the commissioners be clothed with
the power to make, within fixed limitations DO
lice regulations. believe this power granted
and carefully guarded would tend to subserve
the good order of the municipality. It seems
that trouble still exists, growing out of the occu-
patton of the streets and avenues by certain rail-
roads having their termini 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 nee
essary officers for district business and for the
safe keeping of valuable books and, papers are
entirely inefficient. recommend that this con-
ditlon OF Affairs be remedied by congress and
that suita ble 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 pub
Ito good and demonstrate. during the remaining
days OF the congress as at present organized. It's
ability and 1ncltnatiOns to SO meet the peoples
need that it shall be gratefully remembered by
z. GRovEn CLEVELAND
WAsHNGToN. D. G.. 1856.