Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-06-05
TIE DROPPING o D
The Latest Phases of the Situation.

The sickest people in existanco are
the exodus darkics in Kansas" said
DIR. 4. P. Bates this morning, at the
cotton exchange, to a circle of his
friends, The doctor resides at Wyan-
dOtte, Kas., and he has been a quiet
observer Of the situation. He says
the exodus problem is one hat worries
the minds Of the people in many parts
Of Kansas. AT first the influx of the
Southern darkies was a novelty, and
curious people for miles around went
to the landing-places to view
the strange people, many never
having seen a black man.
DR.. Bates says that very many
of the poor deluded emigrants would
gladly return to the South if means
were available to do so. But little
sympathy has SO far been manifested
toward the newcomer, except by a few
persons who have made efforts to raise
subscriptions to provide the wanderers
food and homes, generally with feeble
success. DR.. Bates is inclined to be-
lieye that if the same efforts were
made to provide poor white men with
small farms it would be a far better
investment in a humane sense than is
likely to result from the present move.
The emigrating negro who now takes
passage for Kansas has a poor show
unless he is provided with means to
keep him in %provender for at least
eighteen months. 1t is too late in
the season for him to plant a crop this
year; consequently nothing could be
produced to contribute to his larder
until another season, and the time to
elapse before that crop could be
grown and made ready to market
would be at least a year and a
half. If an emigrant moves on to
a new piece of ground he must
have money sufficient to buy
boards for his fences, as rail timber is
not among the productions of Kansas
except in isolated localities. Then,
too, the dangers Of grasshopper boards
and other destructive elements are to
be encountered, and any emigrant
risks a big chance for starvation by
going on a Kansas tour, unless we'll
provided 70: as previously stated.
The news from the South brought
by upward bound steamers yesterday
is to the effect hal the exodus move.
ment has subsidized for the present,
and all hands, except those who are
totally worthless, have gone to work
and are now busy in the corn or cotton
fields. Very few idle darkies are to be
seen at any of the river landings.
1t is possible that the emigration
fever may spring up again next winter,
but until the present crop is gathered
all will be quiet. Many amusing in,
cidents concerning the base by which
tho simple plantation darby can be
imposed upon are related In connee.
ton with the recent exodus move.
ment, A rascally, but plausible scamp
named Green, we'll known at many Of
the lower river landings for his dis.
honest practices, went among the
plantation hands at several points and
sold tickets for from one to two dollars
each, which he assured the deluded
purchasers would carry them to Kan
sas by de government boat free of
further charge. He explained that
the Anchor Line boat Grand Tower
was in the especial service Of the gov.
eminent, and was the craft for them
to take. BY the time the imposition
was discovered Green had vamoosed
and was busy p%racticing his receptions
in other fields. This is only one of
many instances of the way the Kansas
exodus business has been worked up.