The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1880-01-29
SENATE EXODUS INVESTIGATION.
Synopsis of tho Testimony Elected by the
Voorhees, Committee.

Synopsis of tho Testimony Elected by the
Voorhees, Committee.
0. s. B. Wall, of Washington, President Of
the "Emigrant Aid Society,"" was examined
He estimates the number of colored men, WON
en-, and children already transported from
North Carolina through Washington to the
West (princinalIy TO Indiana) between $500
and 5000. The original purpose of the North
Carolina agents of these enjgrants was to have
them go to Kansas, but the tide was diverted
to Indiana by their agents Perry and
Wllllams) on the strength Of representations by
mombers of the Washington society. based on
circulars received from j. Fl. Walker, Mail
Agent at Terre Haute, to the effect that there
was great demand for farm labor in Indiana,
and that the colored people would readily find
employment there st excellent wages, together
with the best Of treatment. and schools for their
children, etc. James O'Hara, prominent
colored Republican of North Carolina. testi-
led that the exodus was not spontaneous: that
it was the result of tine labors of the agents
VINO Went ABOUT the State promising the negroes
$1.50 per day in Indiana, and Government
aid" of some sort; that there was no BULLDOG
ing there, and that it was common thing for
a white landlord and black tenant to ride to
the polls in the same wagon and vote different
tickets.
J. 2. Dukehart, Southern Passenger Agent
of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, testified
that he went to North Carolina to get the
transportation Of the emigrants for his line, and
got it. He made a contract with anegro named
Evans to work up the exodus, the railroad pay
ing Evans ST for each full ticket and so cents
for each half ticket it sold through bis
agency. Reports were circulated among the
colored people that work was abundant in
Indiana at $50 a day. The railroad COM
pany sold in all 763 tickets, OF which 235 were
for children under II, and the total number Of
adult males transported was about 200. f.
". Mendenhall, Of Indiana. a clerk in the
Treasury Department. testified that he as
sisted IN organizing the Emigrant Aid So
clety about year ago. He thought the
movement would become quite extensive. He
bad stated il Indiana could offer any induce
ments to negro emigrants it would be well to
have them go there, as they were generally
Republicans, and would strengthen the Re-
publican party. Witness did not know of any
Republican politicians in Indiana engaged in
the movement as political measure.
Warren c. Fearing, colored, employe of one
of the executive departments at Washington.
and Secretary of the Emigrant Aid Society,
testified that he had received letters from his
relatives in North Carolina reporting that the
colored people Of that State received very low
wages, and were dissatisfied with their treat
ment and wanted to emigrate
Charles N. Otuy, colored, editor of the Wash
ington argus, weekly paper devoted to the
interests of the colored race, and Principal of
the Howard University school, testified that he
Is a native OF North Carolina, graduate of Ober-
lin College and of Howard University; that he
has visited his native State every year since he
left it, and has made careful study of her peo-
pie. He said he was one of the founders of the
National Emigrant Aid Society, but when he
became satisfied that it was being used as
political machine he withdrew from 1t. The
witness did not know but the exodus from other
Southern States would be a blessing to the
colored race, but from North Carolina, where