The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-01-17

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 16.-The
steamer Marlposa arrived from Apia
this morning. bringing news of an up
rising OF the business men Of Samoa
against President Schmidt.
Business being dull at Samoa. the
people. as they do everywhere, critlciz.
cd the government. The situation had
been talked over by several leading
merchants and 1t being ascertalned
that IS per cent OF nli municipal and
governmental revenues were being
paid out in salaries: meetings were
held by the prominent business men,
where resolutions were unanimously
adopted, The resolutions were TO the ef-
feet thnt. after years of trial, the dit-
ierent functions OF the President, who
receives a compensation from the mu-
nicipality OF Apia Of 5000 yearly, had
proved 10 be either wholly unavoidable
or he was n failure and a burdensoms
expense upon the community: that as
adviser TO the king. he could never pc
a success. To prove this charge, tho
resolution set forth that the King and
government had found It necessary tq
petition the three treaty powers FOR the
removal Of President Schmidt
Referring again to President Schmidt
the resolution states as chairman OF
the municipal council his success Is just
as remote. The committee said the Sa-
means were quite capable of conduct
ing their own affairs, especially where
they have the three consuls as super
visory board. AS treasurer and custo.
dian OF the revenue. II was represented
that Il did not require man at a sal.
airy OF 5000 per annum to superintend
the running OF a little custom house
and oversee q few clerks. There arc
plenty OF business men In the place It
was said who could fiji the office. under
bonds, in far more satisfactory man
ner in the regular course OF their daily
/ business for O nominal salary. Further-
more, since the ratification OF the Btr-
lin treaty while the foreigners have
always compiled with Its regulations
and paid the taxes, the Samoans have
not done 50. and no attempt whatever
has been made to collect the Samoan
capItation tax. Therefore the treaty
powers were requested to recall Presi-
dent Schmidt and allow their repre-
sentatives, the three consuls, to take
the Office. II was then agreed that
communication be made 10 the mem
beers OF the municipal council In order
to allow them to approve or disap-
prove the foregoing.
This action was taken but the mem
bers refused to meet the peoples com.
mittee, which aroused such a storm OF
hostile criticism that four out OF the
six members Immediately resigned.
However the council ut special meet
ing, held shortly afterwards. unanl-
mously approved OF the resolutions OF
the people. including the abolition OF the
ONCE OF president, and adding n rider
10 the effect that the I'D valorem dat
les should be raised from two TO ten
per cent. Matters then assumed n far
cIcal aspect, but the people were In ear
nest and obtained a SUFFICIENT number
OF signatures OF councillors TO demand
the president to call special meeting
10 receive the resignation and Issue
writ for a new election. Unfortunately
for the people. an error was made in the
date for the meeting Us the request
was mode for Tuesday. December %.
when It should have been the Ath. The
presidents perception was acute
enough to detect the error and he re-
piled asking which was the date In
tended, and has In the meantime taken
a weeks holiday.
SO the matter stands, but the people
are in earnest and even II force is nee
esaary will make a change in the e&-
lstIng order OF things.