Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-17
FREEDMEN'S BANK.
TO REIMBURSE DE-
POsITORs FROM TREASURY.
TARIFF TAX ON FERTILIZERS.
Argument Of Mr.. Wedderburn, Mas
ter of the State Grange, Against
the Proposition - Personal and
Other Notes.


of the Freedmen's Savings Bank. semi
governmental institution. having been or
ganized and established under the
auspices OF that somewhat mlschievous
ard intermeddling concern known as
the "Freedmens Bureau" was great
throughout the South. 1t has been
charged that the funds Of the bank were
made away with, and the closing Of its
doors was the result of mismanagement
and fraud. But, at any rate, thes colored
wards of the government, under the
especial control and protection Of its
agent, the "Freedmen's Bureau" who
were depositors, were never reimbursed
for their losses The affairs OF the Freed
mems Savings Bank have since been in
the hands OF a commissioner, who was
appointed to wind up its business, and it
is said that this official did pay small
sums-some call them divdends-to the
depositors, but the aggregate of the losses
has never been approached and never will
be, though the commissioner is still wind
ing up the affairs of the bank and, OF
course, drawing comfortable salary for
doing so.
There is no present prospect that the de-
positors Will ever realize anything more
than a small percentage of the money
they entrusted TO the keeping of the
Freedmen's Bank, which had its main
headquarters in this city and branches
throughout the entire South. 1t was a
gigantic concern and many believe, a
gigantic fraud. There is a proposition,
however, which, if adopted and acted
upon, may result In the reimbursement Of
the Freedmen's Savings Bank depositors
out Of money in the Treasury which could
be very appropriately made available
for this purpose. This fund is variously
estimated at some hundreds OF thousands
of dollars, and for it there are no claim
ants 1t is made up of the bounties and
pay of deceased negro soldiers in the
Federal army, who were either killed
in battle, or died I'm hospitals, and who
have no heirs to claim the amounts still
due them on the army rolls. 1t is the
somewhat unique proposition that this
money due the dead negro soldiers should
be set apart for the payment of the living
negroes who were swindled by the govern
ments partial agent-the Freedmens
Savings Bank-and il seems reasonable,
inasmuch as there is no other possible dis
position to be made of the fund. There
is a committee of colored men now here
looking into this matter and among
them is the lawyer, Giles Jackson, Of
Richmond. The members Of the commit
tee are endeavoring to interest Congress
in the scheme 1t is expected that bill
will be introduced shortly, calling for a
report on the condition of the assets OF
the Freedmen's Savings Bank, and also
a report on the money in the Treasury
due deceased negro soldiers VINO had no
heirs. When these are received. some
action may be taken by Congress which
will result In the payment of the colored
depositors of the bank, but ii Is a remote
possibility, and will certainly go over 10
the Mckinley Administration. 1t will be
one way of affording it an opportunity
to give a little of the promised prosperity
TO its own party in the South.
TARIFF ON FERTILIZERS.
Alexander j. Wedderburn, Master of the
Virginia state Grange, has been slated
by Chairman Dingley, Of the Ways and
Means Committee. for special hearing
when the agricultural schedule shall Dc
discussed. and Mr.. Wedderburn will enter
q vigorous protest against placing tariif
on fertilizers, and fertilizing material.
As this will be of interest to the farmers
of both Virginia and North Carolina,
herewith submit Mr.. Wedderburn's pre-
pared remarks
ION behalf of the State Grange Of
Virginia, and L believe of every farmer
who is compelled TO use commercial
fertilizer, L desire TO protest against
any tariff on commercial fertilizers,
sulphuric acid, or other ingredients en-.
tering into their composition and manu-
facture. The American farmer produces
the food of the people. He also pro-
duces the larger part OF our exports,
and numbers nearly one-half Of the en-
tire population. Upon him, whether In
territorial or otherwise, rests the bulk
of the burden of taxation. direct or in
direct. 1t is proven by statistics fur-
nished both by the census and the Agri-
cultural Department that this great
wealth-producing industry is not flourish
ing, that nearly one-third OF our
farms are mortgaged, and that wheat.
corn, cotton. and tobacco are raised at
an actual loss. Notwithstanding this,
the farmers of the United States have
patiently borne the burdens put upon
them, and have faithfully performed
their duties as citizens.
IN every State east Of the Mississippi
river the farms have been drained
of their fertility to an extent which
makes II necessary TO resort TO scienti-
fic fertilization. The exhausted soil
demands nitrates, phosphates, acids,
potash, lime, gypsum, etc, in greater
or less quantity. In many of the older
States 1t is absolutely impossible to pro-
duce a crop without the use Of
artificial manure This Is too we'll
known to need argument therefore.
everything that can aid the farmer in
enriching his soil and increasing his
crops should be done, and nothing or
any character whatever should be done
to prevent or hinder him. Amy action
that makes 1t harder for the farmer 10
enrich his soil or grow his crops Is de-
trimental TO the welfare Of the entire
nation.
"Therefore. on behalf of the American
farmer. L emphatically protest against
every Increase OF duty on all articles
used as fertilizers, or In making fertili-
zers, whether chemicals. acids, phos-
phates. gypsums, potash, nltrates or
natural or artificial guanoes. Gypsum
or land plaster now costs at the sea-
board. ground bagged, and delivered ON
the cars, about 81 per ton. To add 81
ton. as Is suggested means TO rob the
farmer OF one OF his best means of
drawing from the atmosphere his supply
of nitrogen. 1t would certainly in
crease the cost to the farmer 80 l-3 per
cent. This would raise the price to a
point as high as the article sold at
when wheat was $50 a bushel. A tariff
of s5 ton on sulphuric acid means TO
add to the cost of every ton of the dis
solved acid phosphate 81, which means
an advance OF 20 per cent. on the price
OF the essential element OF plant life.
1t is useless 10 continue this line OF
argument as the result OF imposing the
duty suggested on fertilizers would be
TO increase the cost OF every ton Of
fertilizer used In this country not less
than $50. AS over 100000 OF tons are
used. the additional cost TO the already
overburdener farmer would exceed $S,OOO.-
600 annually. IL seems improbable that
any gentleman on the committee would