The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-29
IN The BLACK REPUBLIC.
The Message Of President Hippolyte
on the Needs Of the
Nation.
Efforts Of the Government to Re-
cover From the Recent
Civil War.
Finances In q Very BAD Way and Com
nlerce Unsatisfactory-Civil and
Military Affairs.

Finances In Very BAD Way and Com
merce Unsatisfactory-Civil and
Military Affairs.
The message of President Hippolyte to
the national assembly of the republic of
Hayti has just been received in this country.
The document, which is in French, covers
eighty one pages of closely printed matter,
and gives clear description of the con-
dition of the republic under the govern
ment of Hippolyte. Some of the facts and
figures presented may be of some import
ance to citizens of the United States, and a
review of the principal points of the
message is here presented:
The president begins with a brief refer
ence to the effect of the recent civil war.
81 swear" says Hippolyte, ''that l have
taken no part in the disastrous events which
resulted in my elevation to the presidency,
except to shed bitter tears over the errors
of my fellow citizens, and as to-day destiny
has placed me at the head of my country,
to my compatriots, to lead them away
from every fatal step, and by persistence to
bring them to the altar of their country.
there to pledge themselves in love and
fraternity. It il to this magnificent work,
gentlemen of the national assembly, that
invite your attention. Elected by the free
auffrages of our people, it is your duty to
labor without ceasing for the consolidation
Of our loved republic and to show to all
good example, in your wise deliberations,
Of what men can accomplish when inspired
BY the breath Of liberty and disposed to en-
courage a reign OF peace, fusion and har-
mony."
Tho forsign relations of the republic are,
according to the message, on safe and
solid formulation. The United States, the
republic of San Domingo, Denmark,
publics OF Central and South America,
Austria Hungary, and Portugal have al
'ready formally recognized the new govern
ment Of Hayti. France and England have
not y6t done this, and Italy has also held
soof hua far from Or sHRy g, formal .h M ho
s sns asae1a' are pe4tectiy friendly
corded her informally by all of them. Two
new legations of Ha3ti have been created,
lone at Berlin and one at Madrid, and a
in place Of charge d affaires. I'm spite
of come questions which are still unset
tled," says the president, land which are OF
great interest to US, our international rela-
lions are as satisfactory as they possibly
can be. It will be the policy Of the govern
menu TO 6tIenRLNeA h1O eAteuO Cnolu WIN
ont sacrificing that dignity without which
one country could never figure advantage
ously among civilized nations"
When Hippolyte assumed control of the
government the finances of Hsyti were in
such deplorable condition that the bank
More than 5,200, 900 aourdes Of paper none,
was in circulation. "a Haytian gourde is a
little ovoz IS cents.) The bonded debt Of
the republic up to April last amounted to
1850, 573.l2 gourdes. the foreign debt to
4,657, 808.15 Rourdes, the floating debt to
lation to 4, 49,. IT'S gourdes, making with the
loans made since Hippolyte came into pow.
er q grand total Of Il, 1881 1888 81 gourdes. Te
meet this the public has on hand in the Ma
tional bank 456, O43. 10 gou1des.
The commerce of Hayti is not in salts
San Domingo much more than she sells to
her, and the same Is true Of her with the
United States.
Speaking of the interior policy of the
governments, President hipp9lyte says that
he has called around him IN his cabinet the
tious to further the prosperity of the repub-
lie. He has pardoned all political exiles
and most of them have taken advantage OF
the amnesty proclaimed to return to Hayti
Tho efficiency of the public force has been
inorsased by the creation of two new COM
! ~ W ~
improved by filling vacancies in the future
only with men of good moral character
and, % far az practicable, only with suct
men % can read and write. ;Rhe prison sys
tenn Of the republic, the president says, ii
a BEING KEPT q Ssnss.
q now, be made to work at some trade
thus making the prisoners. to certain ex
sent at least self-supportinR. As there ar
no labor agjtators in Hayti whose politica
influence il feared. it is more than likel,
thsf this wise measure of reform will b
The necessity of maintaining on an eff
0ient basis the Haytain army and navy !
treated Of in the message at considerable
tlenRtk The Haytian soldier, Hippolyt
.say1 shall no longer be treated with neg
lect; he shall no longer be the last to real
the benatits which have accrued to the gov
ernm6ht through the pouring out of hi
blood ssTo give to the army a solid mill
tary instruction, to pay the soldiers bette
for their hard work, to invite all classes t.
birth-that is the new organization
which the government desires to see intro
duoed in Hayti, and upon plans to accom-
plash which the secretary of war is alread
ct work. The artillery is in adeplorani
condition. and the government is takia
steps to have the cannOns and other arm
replaced by material of more modern de
sign and manufacture.
The condition of agriculture is very &c
pressing in Hayti, and one of the main pu,
poses of the government is to resuscitat
and encourage it. The employment O
abor-saving machines is one of the frs
requirements of the situation. The depart
ment is also engaged in conducting irrl
eating canals, which will prove of incalcu
liable benefit to the farmers.
great deal of space is devoted in tn
message to discussion of the defects ar
needs of the public school system of Hayt
When the new government succeeded to tn
control of the republic the schools wer
found to be in a bad condition. Man
school houses had been burned during til
civil war, ard che of the first acts of til
government was to arrange for the bulldin
of new houses, and work on several of the1
has already been begun. Instructors an
professors who were VIGOROUSLY incompet
ent have been replaced by efficient teach
ers. The president urges the Importance Q
establishing normal school in Hayti fo
the instruction of those proposing to be
come teachers. He also recommends com
pulsory education law, under which parent
shall be forced to give their children 8
least primary education.
In concluding his message. Presider
Hippolyte says: peace has been acquires
We must now maintain and consolidate
The government, assure you, will tai
every step necessary to that end, an
thanks to your enlightened patriotism. SCI
ators and deputies, confidence will retul
to our land, and the grand future of pro
perity before us will be realized in II