Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-12-10

constitute a heavy and altogether need
less burden upon our commerce and
that of the world.
SHOULD BE ASSISTED.
Every dollar OF the bonds and stock OF
the company should represent a dollar
expended in the legitimate and econom-
ical prosecution of the work. This is
only possible by giving to the bonds the
guaranty OF the United States govern
ment. Such guaranty would secure
the ready sale at par Of three per
cent bond, from time to time, as the
money was needed. | do not
doubt that, built upon these
business methods, the canal
would, when fully inaugGrated,
earn It's fixed charges and operating ex-
penses, but II its bonds are to be mar
keted at heavy discounts and every bond
sold is to be accompanied by a gift of
stock, as has come to be expected by
investors in such enterprises, the traffic
will be seriously burdened to pay inter-
est and dividends.
am quite willing to recommend gov
eminent promotion in the prosecution
Of a work which II no other means
offered for securing its completion Is OF
such tranSCedent interest that the Gov
eminent should, in my opinion, secure
1t by direct appropriations from the
treasury.
A guaranty Of the bonds Of the canal
company to an amount necessary to the
completion of the canal could, 1 think,
be so given as not to involve any serious
risk of ultimate loss.
The things to be carefully guarded
are the completion OF the work within
the limits Of the guaranty, the Subro-
cation of the United States to the rights
OF the frst-mortgage bondholders for
any amount it may have to pay, and in
the Company, as a security against mis-
management and Joss. / most sincerely
hone neither party nor sectional lines
will be drawn upon this great Amerl-
can proiect, so full Of interest to the
people of all our States, and so lnnuen-
tial in its effects upon the prestige ana
prosperity of oar common country.
THE ISLAND OF NAvASSA.
The Island OF Navassa, in the West
Indian group, has, under the provisions
~ title 70 of the revised statutes, been
recognized by the President as apper-
tanning to the United States. 1t con-
tains guano deposits, is owned by the
Nsvassa Phosphate Company, and occu-
pied solely by its employees. In Septem-
her 1889, revolt took place among
these laborers, resulting In the killing
NJ some of the agents of the company,
caused. as the laborers claimed, by
crreI treatment. These men were ar
rested and tried in the United States
courts at Baltimore, under Section 1910
of the statutes referred to, as II the Of
Tense had been committed on board a
vessel of the United States on the high
seas
There appeared on the trial, and 9th.
eruise came to me, such evidences OF
the BAD treatment OF the men that, ID
consideration of this and OF the faet
thai the men had no access to any puo-
lie oficer or tribunal for protection or
the redress of their wrongs, l comment
ed the death sentences that mad oeeh
nssssd by the Court upon three OF them
In April last my attention was again
caIIed TO this Island, and to the unregu-
lated condition of things there, by 9
letter from a colored laborer, who com
nJqiped that he was wrongfulIy detain'
ed mon the Island by the phosphate
company after the expiration Of his con
tractof service.