The Portland daily press., 1890-03-15

Arctic ocean in 1889, had an instructive
feeling that she would be lost, and
strongly urged on Mr.. Bennett the I'M
portance of organizing system OF relief
whereby natives along the coast would
De notified by the Russian government
to keep sharp lookout for the survivors
OF the expedition if any were found Not
only that, but proposed to him direct
", also through the manager of The
Herald, then Thomas B. Connery, and
through Chief Justice DAILY, of the
American Geographical society, to make
a personal search along the northern
coast and with the facilities which /
knew could command, do all that man
could do to rescue those in peril. The
proposition, however, did not meet with
approval and the matter was dropped.
Lieutenant Commander Gorringe, who
brought over the Egyptian obelisk, then
became SO much interested in the sub
Ject that he proposed, not having the
ready money, to sell his collection of
Egyptian curiosities in order to procure
fund OF say 5000 in order to provide
the means for making trip to the north
ern coast, but | declined to take the
money from such source and at such
sacrifice when more wealthy people
could easily stand in the breach.
After this Chief Justice DAILY suggested
the matter to Mr.. Charles A. Dana, of
The Sun, and for time there seemed to
be prospect that he would bear the ex-
pense of an expedition for the rescue of
the survivors of the Jeanette, but while
the negotiations were pending President
Garfield was shot, and attention thus be-
ing diverted the idea was abandoned. In
the meantime the living and dead were
found on the Siberian coast after the dis
aster, as / predicted, and l shall always
believe that if my plans could have been
carried out the worst consequences of the
catastrophe might have been averted.
The sad event, however, was not with
out its compensations. The letters to
The New York Herald from Mr.. John P.
jackson, who was sent to Russia; his de-
scription of Siberian scenes along the
route he travelled, the narrative of En-
| gineer Melville and the investigation be-
| fore the congressional committee, all
leans more or less acquainted with re-
gion comparatively unknown. My own
| public addresses showed in the popular
| interest they elected that the people were
eager to know more concerning this Won
derful country and its institutions, espe-
cially that part of its political system
connected with the history of the Siber-
ian exile, and the interest is by no means
| abating.
While there has been much exaggera-
ton with regard to the treatment of Rus
sian prisoners of state, it is not in many
| cases as severe as it has been described.
In all of my trips have met political ex-
I lies who were in comparatively comfort
able circumstances, and they are not by
any means exceptions to the rule.
| Therefore l have defended the Russian
government when it has been misrepre-
sented, at the same time that / have pre-
sented the shadows of most hateful
| picture. That these efforts are bearing
fruit is proved by the fact that concerted
measures are now being taken by a num-
Der of philanthropic citizens of Philadel-
| phia, who have begun the circulation of
petition throughout the United States
asking for an amelioration of the worst
evils of Siberian exile, and the document
will be presented some time next year
to the proper Russian authorities through
| the international Prison association, at
its meeting in st. Petersburg. And in
my judgment, concluded Mr.. KEENAN,,
the car, who is not SO bad as he is
| painted, will give heed to it.
+. G. DEF.