The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-12
Bellamy at Washington.

Last week, on Friday, the Democratic
Senator BUTLER Of South Carolina presented
the petition of nine colored citizens OF thai
State, praying Congress TO appropriate
$1,000 to enable them and their families t
emigrate to Liberia, and to live there for six
months at the expense OF the United States
Government. The printed heading to this
petition indicates that 1t Is part of an organ
lied movement and thatsimilar applications
will follow 1t to Washington.
On the same day Senator CooKRELI OF
Missouri presented memorial OF the John
son County Farmers and Laborers' Union.
proposing law enabling farmers and others
holding real estate to borrow money Of the
Government, secured by farm and real es-
tate mortgages to half their value, at one per
cent. interest year for twenty years.
A still more remarkable printed petition,
addressed Ito the President OF the United
States and the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentativeS In Congress- assembled" comes
from San Francisco. It emanates from the
Headquarters Of the Executive Committee
ofthe Unemployed, !, 1853 Mission street" The
citizens signing this appeal. according to the
certificate OF notary public appended, num-
Der over sixteen hundred. Tho appeal declares
that owing to unprecedented bad weather,
the evils OF competition, and a vicious flnan-
cial system. the subscribers and their fami-
lies, and thousands of other citizens OF the
United States residing in San Francisco find
themselves In condition Of helpless desti-
tuition. They have Appealed In vain to the
local authorities and their fellow citizens.
Therefore they turn In dire distress to the
Federal Government for immediate succor.
They confidently feel that the power that
armed and equipped o million men for the
preservation Of the Union lean now arm
and equip an army to preserve its citizens
from starvation" The appeal continues:
I'VE ask not for charity; plead for Justice In tho
conscious dignity of American manhood we demand
that the OF existence by honorable labor be
placed within the reach Of all We respectfully suggest
that 900 00O DO loaned to the city and OF San
Francisco until such time as tho California State LeGis
lAture and pass enabling for said city
and county like amount of bonds at two per
cent. per annum and deposit them with the United
States Sub Treasury at San Francisco these bonds to
Do made payable to tho United States and
hon-trRnsforable. We further pray that, otherwise.
work DO commenced Immediately upon tho found alton
OF such national as Is lodged necessary for
the protection of this city and coast-such work be
done BY tho War Department. without the Intervention
Of contractors that be provided with work. and
onts Of 90 called charity. either public private
ITO the end that this may DO readily accomplished
NO hGvo enrolled ourselves - the First Second, and
Third Regiments Of tho Industrial Army Of the United
Btatsa We respectfully pray that our services be
promptly accepted, and that We DO mustered into the
Government service to during good behavior
until voluntary resignation unless sooner discharged
The appeal ends with the form Of an oath
OF loyalty and good faith, by which the
members Of the First Second. and Third
Regiments Of the Industrial Army solemnly
swear to support the United States Consti-
tuition; to maintain the peace thereof, even
until death; to discharge efficiently the
duties assigned to them; and that hunger
shall never induce us. In thought or action,
TO break our allegiance to our country, or
violate her laws" Though forced" say
the subscribing citizens. "to succumb be-
meath the iron hand OF starvation, we will
remain true to our flag and country"
We should add that the petition Of the
lelplessly destitute citizens OF San Fran
CISCO Is rather elegantly printed in tinted
nix on paper of excellent quality.
These three appeals are fair specimens Of
he numberess prayers or demands for Pc
,uniary assistance from the Federal Govern
nent that are now pouring In upon Con-
rrees. They differ In substance, but the
principle or assumption on which they rest
3 the same III each case: The community
yves living. or means OF a livelihood, to
very citizen who, through misfortune or
or temporary circumstances, Is
Unable to take care OF himself; this Ia due
Tot as charity, but as right; and 1t is the
BUSINESS OF the Federal Government to see
hat the obligation is discharged.
Now, let us see what the acceptance by
Congress OF the responsibility implied In
hese appeals would involve. II passage
money to Liberia and provision for half
ears maintenance there are things that
he nine cOlored citizens OF South Carolina
ave right to ask and expect for them
elves and their sixty-three dependents, the
anne measure OF assistance Is equally due
o every other citizen of African descent
Who may desire to emigrate. If they should
III want to migrate, the obligation remains;
md, at the rate suggested by the nine South
)arolinians. the cost to the Government
would be more than $3.50, 900, 900.
Gen. BUTLER estimates that the total Of
mortgage Indebtedness on farms in tho
Vest alone Is not less than $3,45O.000.0O0.
mat Ia regarded by some people as an OK
esslVe estimate. 1t certainly Is not too
arge to represent the aggregate of furm /
mortgages In the whole Union. Now, no
aw could be passed compelling the United {
states Government TO lend money at ono {
per cent. per annum for the exclusive benefit
u the farmers of Johnson county, Missouri. {
The debt-laden farmers OF every other
county in the United States must have their
urn TOO; and fools they would DO If they
lid not speedily replace their present mort {
cages at eight or ten per cent. interest, with
The one per cent, loans OF the benefcent
Government at Washington. This arrange
ment would require an investment, let us
say. OF $9.4OO.0OO.OOO by tho Government.
Tho scheme of paternal relief suggested ,
BY the members of the Industrial Army in ,
Ban Francisco would also be very costly in
Its equitable application to the unemployed
Workmen OF the whole country. The appro-
priation proposed for the benefit OF the three
regiments In San Francisco county is