The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1879-04-25
THE PROBLEM.

The question is, what shall be done
with the thousands of colored people
who are now coming to Kansas from the
south, sick and destitute. Kansas City
has played sharp and had them all land
ed from the boats over at Wyandotte,
and the generous hearted people of the
latter city have had them to provide for.
They have done all they can, and are
now appealing to the public for help.
One thousand still remain there, and
many are sick and dying. The testimo-
ny of the colored people is that it is death
anyhow to stay south, and they take the
risk in coming here, of a chance for life.
If they have to die they prefer to die IN
a free country. Hundreds of them are
being scattered over the state, but they
come faster than they can be provided
with places. Many counties are now be-
ing canvassed for homes for them.
In Wyandotte the mayor has issued a
a proclamation against the further land
ing of these people at that place and
holds a militia company in readiness to
prevent boats from stopping there for
that purpose. In Topeka a mass meet
ing was held to devise some means of re-
lief. We believe it is a duty we owe to
humanity TO do all we can to alleviate
the condition of these poor suffering peO-
pie, and that Kansas should not shrink
in this hour from extending all help in
her power. We have no doubt but that
a way out of the difficulty will be provi-
ded.
THE TOPEKA MEETING.
The Topeka meeting Sunday night to
talk over the question as to what shall
be done with the colored people now
coming to the state, was a success and
resulted in substantial aid for the suf-
ferers. Governor st. John presided, and
varions speeches were made which had
the true ring. After the speeches the gov
ernor said the colored people were suffer
ing for bread and that while the speeches
were good he would suggest that imme-
diate steps be taken to alleviate their
condition. The following gentlemen re-
sponded, and said they would pay each
of them, $25 in time to be sent by the
mornings mail to Wyandotte; w. P. Ed
wards, Gov. st. John, Judge Foster,
Judge Horton, John Francis, J.J. Buck,
of Emporia, j. b. Johnson, Mr.. Stearns,
for Washburn college. Others su bscrib-
ed $40 and S. each, and a collection was
taken in the audience, and the whole
amount raised footed up 1888. A COM
mittee on resolutions reported the fol-
lowing, which was adopted:
WHEREAS, Large numbers of colored
people from the southern states are daily
coming to this city and state, many of
whom arrive destitute and dependent;
therefore,
ResOEUed, That, as the state govern
ment affords no means of extending
special aid to immigrating freedmen,
therefore 1t becomes necessary for indi-
vidual citizens to contribute their re-
speetive shares of the expense necessary
to keep such as come from suffering, and
transport them to localities where they
may enjoy equal rights and privileges
with us, and we request the chairman of
this meeting to appoint what shall be
known as the Central Freedman's Com
mittee, of which the governor shall be
chairman, to receive such contributions
of money, food, ETC., as charitable citi-
zens in all parts of the country shall
contribute for distribution by said COM
mittee, or its agents, as occasion may re-
quire, and this committee shall have au-
thority to devise such other means as the
urgency of the occasion and the needs of
these people shall demand.