New-York tribune., 1896-03-31
N THE MATTER or 4 FTTE-DOLLAR BILL.

The recent experience of the Rev. ID. W. WISH
er nastor Of n large and influential congrega-
ton Of colorcd Baptists, with the Hon. CaleD
Simms is full of interest and suggestion. 1t ap-
pears that week ago last Sunday evening inc
Rev. Mr. Wisher. having arrived ut his church
, few minutes before the hour appointed for
tho servire was there accostcd by a stranger.
who after n hasty Identification handed him
lettcr. Mr. Wisher retired 10 his study. ana
oncncl the letter. presumably supposing that 1t
reoursted the prayers Of the congregation Tor
4 sick person. But to his surprise ii contained
n fiyc-dollar BILL which he was desired 10 accept
as slight token OF Mr.. Simms's appreciation or
his cfro. : TO uplift the cOiored race, together
with a postscript suggesting that the service
which WIS about 10 begin would afford Il favor
able opport,lnity of announcing from the pulpit
that mass-mcetng of col0rcd citizens would
shortly be held In the interest Of Governor MOT
toms candidacy for President Of the United
States Mr. Wishcr was much impressed ny the
evident sincerity of Mr.. Simms. but under inc
circumstances hc felt constrained 10 suppress
ths notice of the mass-mcciing. and further
more as n guarantee Of good faith. To return
thc fycdollar bill. which he did not see his way
clear TO expending as an upliftcr Of the colored
race Unfortunately. the committee appointed
bv the Colorcl Ministers Conference to wait
u,on Mr. Simms and rcnvcst him with his
testimonial was unable TO find him. and the
money l. sin in the possession Of Mr.. Wisher.
who expresses his intention of placing it in Mr..
Slmmss hands AZ his earliest convenience.
Mr. Wishcr's decision I'm This matter is ss-
taincd not only by considerations Of abstract
iustice bu, also by n strong and notable precc-
dent II will be remembered that during the
last Presidential campaign Nj. James j. Van
,lcn having transmitted to the Democratic
National Committee check for S5o.oW. together
with nm inrimaiion ~ his willingness to accept
In. Italian mission In case of Mr. Clcveland's
election was subsequently appointed 10 that
office. but finally declined 10 accept II on account
II the misunderstanding which had arisen as
~ his motives In contributing Il considerable
sim of money 10 the campaign fund. II VIII
bc remembered also that just previous TO MI
Van Aliens act of remuneration several high-
minded gentlemen, 10 whom Mr.. Cleveland
c,usecratlon was A very serious and precious
matter. resolved that Mr. Van Aliens money
,uyht 10 De returned To him as IL condition prece
dent 10 his withdrawal. and promptly made
liher,l contributions 10 fund for that purpose
TINS establishing a rule II procedure in similar
cases which is not in the slightest degree IN
validated hy the circumstance that IN" fund
was never completed. and that Mr.. Van Allen
did not. So far as is known. choose 10 accept the
instalmcnt which they had collected from one
another
There IS no doubt we think that the SimmS
subscription 10 the uplifting Of the colored race,
and incidentally Of Governor Morton. falls with
| in this rule, though the analogy is not perfect.
The hvc-lollar bill presented TO Mr.. Wisher Is
still intact and in that gcntlcmans possession,
and II he is able To find Mr.. Simms. or even
| Deacon Hackctt Of the State Committee. he
will not need to solicit the cooperation or others
Rut in case II should be necessary to intrust the
money 10 the Postotlice Department. it might
never get 10 Mr. Smms, for that gentleman Is
moving about the country with great CELEBRITY
| and the mails are proverbally untrlsiworthy.
| If. therefore, after a suitable interval. there
| should be reason 10 suppose that Mr.. Simms was
still 81 out Of pocket, ii would he proper and
desirable TO open n subscription for his REIN
| bursemcnt We think that Governor Morton
could be confidently relied on 10 start the fund.
| and we have no doubt that the full amount could
be collected without serious difficulty.