The morning news., 1898-12-17
A KANSAS sCHEME.

The negroes of Kansas are said to be
making up a large petition to Congress,
to be presented by the Kansas senators
and representatives, praying for an ap-
preparation of OOOOO,OOO with which to
deport 20O0 900 negroes from this country
to Cuba, Porto Rico, Hawaii, the Philip
pines and Africa The leaders of the move
ment allege that 1t is impossible for the
negro to work out his highest destiny
in this country; that the doors of stores,
factories, shops, etc, are closed to negro
boys and girls, and that not less than p
100000 blacks are now ready and eager
to so away to some other country where
color of skin is no bar to education, equal
ity and advancement. They say that the
new possessions of the United States are
particularly suited to the negro race, and
that the government ought to prefer to
have American blacks as colonists. The
scheme is one which should, and probably
will, interest Bishop Turner of this state.
There are, however, various reasons for
thinking that this newest Kansas scheme
will not amount to anything more than
did a great number of its predecessors.
In the first place, 1t is not in the least
likely that Congress will establish the
precedent of paying for the transporta-
ton out of the country of those of its
residents who become dissatisfied here and
think they might possibly do better else
where. And in the next place if an emf
grafton fund were provided it is not likely
that any considerable number of negroes
would take advantage of it. The average
negro is pretty well satisfied with the
tunities here are as good as anywhere
else, If not, as a matter of fact. a very
great deal better Public schools have
been opened for him. and there is always
a job of work TO be had when he wants
It. These are provided by the white peo-
pie. If the negro went away he would
have to provide them for himself. And
stin further, if the negroes were to go
away in any considerable numbers to
form colonies in the islands mentioned
there are grave doubts if they would
make a success of their enterprise. The
race has never yet shown itself to be
colony building race. It's endeavors IN
that line have fallen fiat. Liberia is an
example. II has never developed a ca
pacity for successful self-government. San
Domingo is an illustration.
The best place for the American negro
Is the United States, and the negro knows
it. What is needed is. not wholesale en-
igration to some foreign country. but that
there shall be a more nearly even distri-
button of the race over the territory of
this country. There is too much black
population in the South ana not enough
IN the North and West. II the leaders Of
the race really wish to benefit their poo-
pie and think emigration is the only way
90 do it, let them not insist upon foreign
emigration. Let them move 100000 or g.
10000 blacks from the South 20 points
north Of tho Potomac and west of the
Mississippi ana they viii have taken a
step in the right direction II it were
possible, however, 10 colonize the whole
negro population la the Philippines. we
are certain that this country would be
better for their removal from h. The
race question Dr. steadily assuming iarger
proportions and becoming more threaten
ing