Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-08-24
Simon sam.

The big island east of Cuba is called
San Domingo and it is divided into two
parts called Haiti and Dominica. The
President Of Dominica was assassinated
a few days ago, and as that govern ent
and that of Haiti are probably alike. the
following account of Haiti by John y.
Purviance, formerly of Butler, and who
has lately visited relatives in Pittsb1rg
is interesting.
Il first went to Central America.
to run a coffee plantation, but the ma
tives had the pernicious revolutionary
habit so badly that | was not sorry
when | was able to sell,out at fair prot
it and come back to the United States.
Not long afterward [ was asked to 90 to
Mexico and take charge of several arte-
sian wells which were being drilled on
the estate of the Cueves Brothers, near
san Luis. Potosi You can get some
idea of the extent of aMeXican farm when
| tell yCu that the one | was drilling on
was as big as the whole of Butler co.
NV headquarters were in cornheld
that was eight miles long. Maybe that
wouldn't make some of our Pen nSylVa-
MIA farmers open their eyes.
Last November / went to Port t-au-
Prince, Haiti. to drill wells on sugar
plantation near that town. To begin
with | will say it is not 4 white man
country. The people and those IN
charge of the Government are all negroes.
| They are very Jealous of their country,
and every stranger is subjected to the
closest investigation on his arrival, Snd
during his stay is under system or es-
pionage that is somewhat CALLING TO
| free-born American. Although tne
| Government is supposed to be Repubhc'
it is virtually monarchy, as old Presl-
! dent Sam will never give up his o1lce
as long as he can hold it by force. Ills
| White House is surrounded by parks.
| filled with artillery, and Gordon OF
| soldiers, which it is impossible to pass
without giving strict account OF one
| self He is suspicious OF everybody
| and | have been told that he lives IN
| constant fear of assassination. When
ever he appears in public he is attired IN
the most gorgeous uniforms, and tries
| to impress the common people with an
idea of his great Importance.
French is the language of all. and al
| though as a general thing the natives
are intelligent, they are very tTeacher-
be of different type of negro from
that in this country, and they appear TO
! think that the white people of all other
Governments are trying to rob them o1
their independence. Some OF the better
| linens of manhood, aud have received
| good educations but the officials OF
| President Sans staff are careful to see
| that no man or set of men become too
| popular.
They do not desire to trade with
outside merchants to any extent, and
they are very chary regarding lnnova-
| tions Merchants or traders who try to
send goods into the island find at the
start that a tariff which Is practically
prohibitiye will shut them ont.
" | left there only a few weeks ago,
Just before the assassination of the
President of San Domingo, and even
| then / noticed in Haiti feeling of uu-
rest among the natives for which | was
at less TO account. | do not know pos
itively that they knew of the revolution
airy feeling on the other end of the is
land, but Judging from what | know
now the Haitians must have been aware
of the plot in San Domingo. Down
there it is simply question of which
side has the strongest force, and might
makes right in that island Although
white men are not disturbed they are
not welcomed to any great extent, and,
taken altogether, it is fair sample of a
| black government
Unless President Sam is killed |
! think he Will be able to hold the reins
of government indefinitely as he has
apparently taken every possible precau-
tion to put down rebellions with IA swift
and merciless hand. No clemency 5
| shown to enemies of the existing power
in Haiti, and pity the men who 30
after the Presidents toga and fail to
get it.