Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-24
LIBERIA AND ITS COLONIsTs.
Some of the Facts Stated in Secretary Will
sons Annual Report.

The seventy-sixth annual report of the Amer
lean Colonization Society. prepared by the Sec
rotary. Mr.. J. Ormond Wilson, says that during
the past year the colonization society has sent
fifty emigrants to Liberia They sailed in the
bark Liberia from the port of New York March
10. had a comfortable and pleasant voyage and
arrived at Monrovia April 7. At the same time
the Rev. Z E. Smith of Goldsboro', N. c., who
was favorably known through valuable services
rendered to the society while United States
minister to Liberia under the administration Of
President Cleveland and on other occasions, was
sent out to take charge Of the emigrants on
their arrival at Monrovia and see that they VIC re-
properly located. Many complaints in regard
TO the manner in which those duties had been
discharged by the former agent had of late
reached the executive committee. Mr.. Smith
was instructed also to investigate the condition
OF parties OF emigrants sent out previously, and
other matters Of interest to the society, and to
make written report. He did so, and his
report. containing much valuable information
was published in Bulletin No. l, issued in
November last.
After the inspection Of proposed sites by the
agent and the emigrants themselves an elevated
region was selected near one of the branches OF
the Montserado river, on the outer borders of a
settlement named Johnsonville, and about
twenty miles east from MOnroyia. The land
was surveyed and allotted to the several emf
grants with ali possible dispatch. Extracts are
given from Mr. Smiths report giving consider
able information as to the condition and needs
of colonsts.
1.-THE route from New York to Liberia by
way of Liverpool" SAYS Mr.. Wilson's report.
lis nearly twice the length of a direct one, and
involves n reshpment at the intermediate port.
The time and expense therefore being nearly
twice as great as they would be by a direct
route, are a great obstacle to emigration at
present 1t is believed that the fow of emigra-
ton. independent of any pecunisry assistance
from the society or otherwise, will continuously
increase in volume and eventually, when
direct line of steam communication is opened,
will become the most potent factor in the up
building of Liberia and the civilization of
Africa. The American Colonization Society
was organized seyenty-six years ago, and four
years thereafter sent out its first party of
colonists. Each year since it has sent out emf
grants to Liberia.
''Those reported for the past year make
total Of 16, ALB, exclusive of 5.722 recaptured
Africans. which it enabled the government Of
the United States to settle in Liberia, or
grand total Of %, 1876 persons whom the society
has assisted in finding homes in Liberia.
APPLICATIONS.
although during the past year the policy Of
the society has been to discourage applications
for aid in emigrating to Liberia the number of
persons applying has been increasing rather
than diminishing These applications come
from persons in many of the states, north as
well as south. are usually very pressing and oft
repeated. and at this time number many thou
sands. 1t is not doubted that many Of these
would better the condition OF themselves and
their children and benefit Liberia by making
their homes there. But the present means of
the society do not enable it to extend helping
hand to more than small number of the appli-
cants whom it considers really worthy Of it's
sistance."
FUTURE POLICY OF THE SOCIETY.
The American Colonization Society, after re-
viewing its past history and considering its
present resources and environments, and look
ing to the promotion Of the best interests of
Liberia. proposes q line of work for the future,
which may be briefly stated follows
/. ColonistS hereafter to be selected with
special reference to the needs OF Liberia, and
to be located there with more care and to bet
ter advantage to themselves.
2. Funds held in trust for education to be APP
piled in ways to aid and stimulate the Liberian
government to more energetic action estab-
fishing and fostering efficient system of pub
lie schools, rather than in supporting indie
pendent schools.
8. The society to make a special effort to col
lect and difuse more full and reliable inYor-
nation about Liberia. and a. bureau of infor-
nation to make itself practically useful. both to
Liberia and the negroes IN the United States
desiring to erngrate there.
4. The society to promote in every possible
way the establishing of more direct, frequent
and quicker communication between the United
States and Liberia.
). The chief end Of the work OF the society
to be in the line of enabling and stimulating
Liberia TO depend less and less upon others and
more and more upon herself.
LIBERIA.
9Th. ,,uos.,,. .5,,;,,is,ro,;o, -, .ho o,.,-r,
VI .no so'
meht OF Lloerm Is reported 10 De hlghiy salts
factory 10 the citizens of that republic. At the
head of it is President Joseph James Cheese
man, who was born and educated in the coun-
try. and who. BY his excellent character. inteIl-
gence and energy, had achieved eminent sue
cess as a private CITIZEN. The members of his
cabinet in their several departments are all
men of high character and good executive
ability.
at is now more than forty-tye Years since
Liberia assumed the position of an indep4nd
eut republic. During that period she has ey
ercised the functions OF a national government
having executive legislative and iudjcial do
nartments keepina peace and order within her
borders. collecting and disbarsiup revenues
holding Diplomatic intercourse with other ma,
,ions and es,obIi.b;no a svstem oY commor
schools. In response to the will of her people.
an expressed by their surfaces tventv-tbree
the peaceful and orderly manner prescribed Inv
a,I ths h.s hean dora Will, ,hn o ost adva WA,