The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-12-11


tempted.
THE MEXICAN NEGRO COLONIZATION
SCHEME 4 FRAUD.
As a sequel to the failure OF scheme
for the colonization, in Mexico, Of
negroes, mostly emigrants from AIaba-
ma under contract, great number OF
these helpless and suffering people,
starving and snitten with contagious
disease, made their way, or were assist
ell, to the frontier, where, in wretched
plight, they were quarantined by the
Texas authorities. Learning of their
destitute condition, | directed rations
to be temporarily furnished them
through the War Department. At the
expiration of their quarantine they
were conveyed by the railway compan-
les, at comparatively nominal rates, to
their homes ia Alabama. Upon my
assurance, in the absence of any fund
available for the cost of their trans
portation, that would recommend to
Congress an appropriation for its pay
Eacnt; now urge upon Congress the
proprie;y OF making such an appropria
lion. Il should be remembered that
the measures taken were dictated not
only by sympathy and humanity, bat
by conviction that it was not com
patible with the dignity of this Gov
crnment that so large u body Of our
dependent citizens should be thrown
for relief upon the charity of "A neigh
boring State.
TURKEY AND TIE ARAIENIANs.
Occurrences in Turkey have continu-
ed 10 excite concern. The reported
massacrcs OF Christians in Armenia,
and the Development in other districts
of a spirit Of fanatic hostility to Christ
ian influences, naturally excited appre-
hension for the safety OF the devoted
men and women who, as dependents Of
the foreign missionary societies in the
United States, reside iii Turkey under
the guaranty OF law and usage ana ia
the legitimate performance of their ell
ucational and religious mission. No
efforts have been spared in their behalf,
and their protection in person and
property has been earnestly and visor-
ously enforced by every means within
our power.
TIE TARIFF QUESTION.
We may well be encouraged TO earn
eSt effort in this direction when We re-
csJl the steps already taken toward im-
proving cur economic and financial
situation, and when We appreciate how
well the way has been prepared for
further progress 10y an aroused and in
tclIigcnt popular interest in these sub
jects. By command of the people, 4
Customs r5yenue system, designed for
tine protection and benefit Of favored
classes at the expense OF the great mass
Of cur countrymen and which, while
inefficient FOR the purpose of Revenue,
curiailcd our trade relations and iT
peded our entrances 10 the markets Of
tile world, las been superseded by a
Tariff policy which in principle Is based
upon a denial of thc right Of the Gov
ernment 10 o5strnct the avenues a. Or
peoples cheap living or lessen their
comfort and contcntment, Tor the sake
ofaccovding especial advantages TO fa-
sori,es, and which, while encouraging
our intercourse and trade with other
nations, recognizes the fact that Amer
lean self-reliancc, thrift, aud ingenuity
build up our country's industries, and
develop it. resources more surely chan
enervating paternalisln.
THE FiNANCIAL QUESTION.
the Compulsory purchase and coin
age Of silver by the Government un-
checked and unreguiated by business
conditions and needless Of our carren-
- needs, which for more than fifteen
years diluted our circulating medium,
undermined confidence abroad in our
financial ability, and at las: eliminated
in distress and panic at home, has
been recently stopped 10y the repeal Of
the laws which forced this reckless
scheme upon the country.
The things thus accomplished, not
withstanding their extreme importance
and bcnefcient effects, fell far shor; Of
curing the monetary evils from which
we suffer - a result of long Indulgence
in I'll advised financial oXpedien;s. The
currency dcnominated United States
notes, and commonly known n green
backs, was issued i'm large volume dur
ing the iaie Civil War, and was intend
cd originally to meet the eXigencies Of
that period. It will be seen by refer
ence to the debates in Congress n the
time the laws were passed authorizing
the issue Of these notes, that their nd
vocatcs declared thatthey were intended
for only temporary use and To meet the
emergency of war. In almost, if not
all, the laws relating to them some pro
vision was made contemplating their
voluntary or compulsory retirement.
\ large quantity OF them, however,
were kept or foot aud mingled with
the currency OF the country, 50 that at
the close Of the year 1874 they amount
ed to SSsI, ,999, ,073.
Immediately after that date, anl in
January, 1870, law was passed provid-
ing for the resumption Of specie pay
mcnls by which the Secretary of the
Treasury was re!IireI, wan al iitioa-
al circulation was Issued to National
Banks, t. retire United States notes
equal in ampIut t. 81 per cent o. tsIci
additional National Bank circulation
until such notes We're reduced to $3.50, e.
G1J,0e0. This law further provided that
on and after the first day of January,
1879, the United Safes notes then out
standing should be redeemed in coin,
ani in order to provide aud prepare for
such redemption, the Secretary ofthe
Treasury was authorized moi only 10
use aay surplus revenues of the Gov
ernmeat, but to issue bonds of the
United States and dispose Of them for
coin, and 10 usa the proceeds for the
purpose contemplated by the statute.
In May, ISIS, and before the date
thus appointed FOG the redemption and
retirement OF these notes, another
statute was passed for6idding their
further cancellation and retirement.