Washington sentinel., 1901-06-22

value OF slave to his owner at $40
and coollY says that he agreed tc
pay that sum for their liberation
and looked to our Government tc
loot the bill.
| When his attention was called to
publication in the Ne1V american
OF May 8, published in Manila, to
the effect that Datto Mandi has or
dered his slaves set free, he said:
had not expected any such favorable
action, though have the highest respect
for Mandi. II seems to me that IS ex-
/ pectlng almost too much; it seems to
| me people ought to be paid something
| for these slaves NV agreement with
them, in order to abolish slavery, was
that a small amount should be paid
| for the slaves. | wanted TO fix an
amount and they asked that il be the
| market value, and agreed to that. My
idea was that the slaves might pay
small amount, and / suppG 90 the
United States Government would foot
that bill finally. Their market value
was about $40, No census having been
slaves there are.
There is certainly nothing mean
about Gen. Bates. His liberality
in disbursing other peoples money
was first manifested when he Sc
cured the submission of the poly
gamous and slave-holding Sultan
OF Sulu at a cost Ct SIo,o per
wear in pensions for the Sultan and
his sub chiefs. The precedent set
upon that occasion caused some
thing OF a shock. There are many
chieitains inhabiting the thousand
islands OF the Philippine archipel-
ago, and il their adhesion to
American rule was to be obtained
at an expense OF $40, 900 per an
mum each it was feared the policy
OF benevolent assimilation" would
lose much OF its attractiveness
Fortunately Gen. Bates invest
ments in that line, possibly be-
cause Of hint from home, ended
there.
The extent OF the new liability
he has incurred fJr the United
States can only be surmised.
There are no reliable statistics Of
the number OF people held in slav-
cry at hand. 1t is not unreasona-
bic to suppose, however, that one
tenth OF the inhabitants are held in
bondage, and if this estimate
proves true, Gen. Bates has pledged |
our Government to the payment Of |
sac, 900, 900 to slave holders Tor
freeing these seris.
1t is said that the form OF slavery |
in existence over there is a mild
one, often voluntarily assumed be-
cause OF the protection afforded.
When it is generally known that
Uncle Sam stands ready to pay
$40 for every act of emancipation
performed, assumptions OF volun-
larry slavery for purposes of pro-
lection are likely to increase and
develop free trade aspect as long
as the supply Of sac pieces holds
out. The attention OF the Post
Office should be called to this in
PRODUCTION OF the endless chain
scheme in the Philippines.
The South, which Mr.. Mckinley
IS now trying to wean away from
It's political idols by the use of
public patronage, will watch this
new departure with interest. No
such consideration was extended
he slave owners of that section
lfteT the war between the States,
Ind the question will naturally
Irse, Why is fish made OF one and
lesh OF another1 Mr.. McKinley's
Southern policy was not making
such Roadway as to cause alarm in
he ranks of his opponents. Some
title confidence may have been
'eposed in his sincerity, but this
discrimination will ehfectually
block any further advance.
Meanwhile Congress may be ex-
oected to ask questions. Ifit does
lot demand from the President his
authority for such an unheard-ot
use Of public funds, the people
nay be expected to do little ask
ne themselves. We have fought
% secure freedom for others as well
IS for ourselves-the nation has
lot deteriorated to that degree
hat it is now necessary for US to
purchase freedom with gold.
Hanna ana PettIgrew.