The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-28
THE KANSAS FEVER.
ITs EFFECT IN THIS srATE-wHAT
THE GOVERNOR KNOWS ABOUT 1T.

For days past the papers throughout the
Southern portion of the country have been
full OF reports and stories regarding the
Kansas fever and its effect on the eolored
people, and IL the published statements are
correct. one or two of the States have suffered
considerably from the exodus of large num-
bers OF their colored population, who have
contracted the disease, packed up or disposed
OF their household effects, and started for the
land Of promise.
Recently there has been considerable talk
OF the effects OF the fever In this State, and on
the fact that In two or three of the parishes
1t has broken out and resulted In the depar-
ture OF respectable number OF colored peo-
pie, sensationalists have built the report and
spread the story that there Is a general and
almost universal exodus of this class OF per-
SONS from every section of the State.
The Republican politicians who congregate
and make their headquarters at the Custom
House have seized on the fiction and are in-
dustriously making political capital OF it, as
asserting that it Is all brought about by
Democratic bulldozing.
While 1t Is true that In two or three OF the
parishes the negroes have been seized with the
immigration mania, it Is by no means gen.
eral, and the two or three parishes In question
are not exclusively those in which there were
political troubles during the last campaign.
SO far as heard from, the parishes affected
are Madison, which u.s. and has always been,
quiet, Tensas, and, as report not verified has
1t, Caddo.
Madison parish has suffered greatly, a very
large number OF the colored people having
left 1t. In Tensas but two plantations, Bon
durant and Hard Times, have felt the effects,
though the epidemic Is spreading and likely
to increase. AS for Caddo nothing definite is
known, though the reports represent de-
population OF the parish so far as the colored
people are concerned.
The probabilities OF the fever spreading In
Tensas have decided several Of the planters
and business men OF that parish, now In this
city, to appeal to the Cotton Exchange for
request from that body addressed to the
Anchor Line and other st. Louis packet lines,
that the boats no longer make any landings
In that parish on their up trip.
That the disease Is caused by the promises
and representations of spectators or their
agents there can be no doubt.
A gentleman from Missouri, who seemed
familiar with the matter, met the reporter OF
the DEMOCRAT yesterday and In explanation
OF the movement said that 1t was very
plain and simple matter to him and all those
who were acquainted with its true course.
One OF the Kansas railroads received grant
| on It's proposed line, providing that within
certain time named number OF settlers
would take up their place of residence there,
Acting on this, the company. sent out an
agent into Mississippi and Louisiana, where,
with promises OF forty acres to each settler
and an abundant supply Of agricultural I'M
plements they might make fortune In
short time.
The urbanity and plausibity Of the agent
won him at once the confidence OF the negroes
/ and as he offered transportation to st. Louis,
many accepted the Offer The whole affair,
said the Missouri gentleman, is evidently a
business dodge.
| Our reporter called upon
| GOV. NICHOLAS,
to ask his opinion as to the significance and
cause of the exodus.
The Governor said he knew nothing of the
matter except what he has read In the news
papers. His Excellency stated also that In
Madison parish, which the negroes are leav-
| ing In great numbers there exists perfect
quiet, and he does not ascribe their depar-
ture to any political influence or pressure
/ gentleman present remarked that q
| friend OF his just arrived from Madison, in
formed him that there was in the parish an
agent OF the Kansas Railroad holding out
| favorable Inducements to all negroes who
would wish to go to Kansas for the purpose
1 IL