New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-04
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS.

NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS
rur rrJ-wrIL IN MISSISSIPPI OVER THE EXODUS
THE ANNUAL REPORT OF COLONEL CASEY
MINOR NEWS.
Solicitor Rayner is of the opinion that the
steamboats, seized in the South because OIL the
part they played in the negro exodus "eIo
in reality engaged in a work OF necessity
and humanity in bringing those peoplo
North. There is proof that the o0ats were
seized from ill-will. The annual report on
the publio grounds of Washington has Deeh
submitted. Interesting discoveries are beng
made as to the Freedmen's Bank. The Pen
sion Bureau is being conducted now very
much like a business house as far as It's ap-
pointments are concerned.
THE BOATS SEIZED IN THE SOUTH.
no DOUBT LEFT IN REGARD TO THE SEIZURES BIZ
ING PROMPTED BY BAD FEEIINGs-oPINIoN OF
MR.. RAYNER.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, Aug 3. - Solicitor kaSner
has already prepared his opinion upon inc
questions involved In the libel proceed
ings against four Mississippi steamboats, for
carrying moro passengers than the number
named in their respective registers. techni-
cal violation of the law is admitted; but the
Solicitor is convinced that the acts were not
performed for the sake Of profit, Dut
from necessity and because it would have been in
human to do otherwise.
The petition upon which the proceed
ines are based sets forth that the ne
rroes were encamped in large numbers
mon the banks Of the river near landings, having
already broken up their homes. such
as they were, and having set their
faces determinedly toward land where
they believed they might live in peace and at I'D
erty As soon as the boats touched the banks the
negroes rushed on board and established themselves
upon deck, To send them ashore would manifesuy
enoSe large numbers Of them to the danger Of star
walton, and In spite of threats made by tne Whlles
10 fire upon and IN 70 burn the boats the
negroes we're carried on their journey North.
no penalty provided by law for carrying passen-
GERS i'm excess of the number named IN a vessePs
register is $40 and a forfeiture OF the passage
money in each case. and any citizen may become
the prosecutor The aggregate iiabulty ald against
the boats Is sol 600. One significant fact is that
while the owners OF the boats have advertised IN 81.
Louis papers their readiness TO carry back free all
negroes who may wish 70 RETURN not more than TWO
or three hundred of all the thousands who have
come North have availed themselves OF the prlVl-
iege
The proceedings against the boats have been
brought before the United States District Court IN
Mississippi. The DiStrict-Attorney OF Mississippi
writes that he knows nothing officially about the
matter. and the prosecutors IN every instance nave
engaged their own lawyers to conduct the cases,
fact which goes TO sustain the charge that the pro-
ceedings are founded in the maleyOlence Of the
whites against those who have been instrumental
in freeing the negroes from their clutches.
So far every incidental circumstance connected
with the exodus confirms the theory that the move
ment had its origin in the refusal of exsayeholders
10 recognize the citizenship of the cOlOred people
OF to treat them with ordinary justice.
The petition of the owners of the vessels Is forti-
fed with letters and testimony from sources so
responsible as to remove all doubt OF the truth of
the statements set FORTH 1t is understood that the
boats of some of them have given bonds aud been
femnorarilY released.