St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-07
9TH EEs TTERS.
The Necessity of Settling Up the
FrePdmeH's Bank Business-.Dis-
trict Matters.

The Necessity of Settling Up the
FreedmeH's Bauk Business-.Dis-
trict Matters.
desire to call attention of the congress to
plain duty which the government owes to
the depostors in the Freedmen's Savings
and Trust company. This company was char
tered bg the congress for the benefit of the
most illiterate and humble of our people, and
with the purpose of encouraging them to
industry and thrift. Most of its branches
were presided over by officers holding the
commissions and closhed in the uniform of the
United States. These and other circum-
stances l think, led these simple people to
suppose that the invitation to deposit their
hard-earned savings in this institution i'm
piled an undertaking 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 1923, 925 % to 6l l3l depositors. Div
idends amounting in the aggregate to 62 per
cent. have been declared and the sum called
for and paid of such dividends seems to be
St6iS, lSl. ~. This sum deducted from the
entire amount of deposits leaves s., 2gl, IA. 80
still unpaid. Past experience has shown that
large part of this sim will not be called for.
There asset. still on hand amounting to
the estimated sum OF $4,000. | think the re-
manning SO per cents of such of these deposits
as have claimants should be paid by the gov
ness. The report of the commission soon to
be laid before congress. will give more salts
factory details on this subject. The control
of the affairs of the
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,
having been placed in the hands of purely
executive officers. while the congress still re-
tains all legislative authority relating to it's
government it becomes my duty TO make
known the most pressing needs of the district,
and recommend their consideration. The
laws of the district APP pear to be in an I'M
certain and unsatisfactory condition. and
their codihcation or revision is much needed.
During the past year one of the bridges lead
ing from the district to the state 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 commissioners of the district
represent that the laws reg ulating the sale of
liquor and granting license therefor should
be at once amended, and that legisa-
ton is needed to consolidate, define
and enlarge the power of charitau lie
and penal institutions within the district.
suggest that the commits sioners be clothed
with the power To make, within fxei limta-
lions, police regulations. | believe this
power granted and carefully guarded, would
tend TO subserve the good order of the mu-
nicipality. 1t seems that trouble still exists
growing out of the occupation of the streets
and avenues by certain railroads having their
terminus in the city. 1t IS very important
that such laws should be enacted upon this
subiecI 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 necessary offices for district business a I'd
for the safe keeping of valuable books and
papers are entirely inefficient. | recommend
that this condition of affairs be remedied by
the congress, and that suitable quarters be
furnished for the needs of the district gov
ernment.
IN CONCLUSION,
l earnestly invoke such wise action on the
part of the peoples legislators as will sub
serve the public good, and demonstrate DUR
ing the remaining days OF the congress as at
present orr aniZt d its ability aud inclinatOns
to so meet the peoples need. that it shall be
gratefully remembered by an eXpectant con-
slit uency. GROVER CLEVELAND.