The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1880-03-12
MONROE LOUISIANA, FRIDAY. MARCH H. $780,
THE NEGROES IN KANSAS.

THE NEGROES IN KANSAS.
Topeka Correspondence n. y. Sun.l
The sentiment of the young Kansas
of the days of John Brown was repre-
sented to be the prevailing sentiment
to-day. This Is a mistake. Kansas,
which had population Of few thou-
sands in 1859, has grown into State
of about million Inhabitants. The
men who have entered Kansas since
to thief or q pauper simply because
he is black. The sentiment that ruled
the Kansas of 1859 does not influence
the Kansas of 1880. The prevailing
feeling in the State to-day Is strongly
against the black immigrants. The
refugees, even if they are fit to work,
dislike to work on farms. The isola-
tion of farm life Is distasteful to them,
They wish to herd together in the
towns, to loaf, to be fed, clothed, and
sheltered at the expense of the public.
They care nothing for Tomorrow. The
women are the bread winners. They
wash, iron, work by the day where ex-
ira help is needed, and SO on.
The feeling among the working peo-
pie of Kansas, who are brought into
competition with such black refugees
as will work, is bitterly hostile. They
pete with labor that Is fed, clothed,
and sheltered by charity, while they
are required TO feed, clothe, and shell
ter themselves and families with the
money they receive for work. One
working man said to me: "It is all
very we'll to talk of cheap labor. See
how it has affected me. was working
for dollar day; a negro took my
place for fifty cents a day. He worked
two days. Another took his place and
worked three. Then another took
hold. They were working for spend
ing money only, as they were fed at
the barracks. I have my family to
support. I cannot do it ON fifty cents
a day." His objection was sound. 1t
is as unfair to ask white labor to COM
pete with black labor that is supported
by charity. as 1t is to ask them to COM
pete with convict labor, None of the
white laborers about Topeka would
finch from competing with the refu-
gee negroes If the blacks were re-
qoired to earn their food. If the food
is supplied by Northern charity they
They are right. The tender-heartcd
people who are so literally supplying
the Topeka barrack negroes with food
and clothing are, unknoWingly, In
flictii4E great injury upon the white
laborers of Kansas.
The negroes are living in barracks
and huts in North Topeka. Two lit.
tie towns have been built, one called
Rednanville, the other Tennessee
Town. The property adjoining these
towns has greatly deprecated in value.
One gentleman told me he owned a
piece of real property that before the
negro exodus he valued at Sc, 900; now
he would gladly part with it tor -, 500.
He believed the evil to be perma-
nent one. The barracks and huts,
having been built, would, he feared, be
kept full OF this worthless class OF ne
groes until tile buildings are burned by
some property holder. -
The barracks are situated at the side
of the railroad track. Redmanville is
on the northern edge of cornfeld.
Across the field, to the south, fringe
of timber marks the rivers course
About quarter of a mile east of the
barracks is a creek or slough. Heavy
well-beaten paths lead from the bar.
racks to this water. When visited
the place negro men and women were
slowly walking up and down these
paths carrying pals of water, or in
pairs simply idling the time away. Al
the barracks the air quivered with
laughter. Groups of negroes sat sun
ming themselves in the hot sun. Some
were dancing, others amusing them
selves by teaching tricks to dogs
There were little dogs, middle-sized
dogs, yellow, white, black, spotted,
and brindle dogs, smooth dogs, anG
rough-haired dogs; some with long
tails, some with stub tails, all of one
breed-the cur. was astonishcd Al
the generosity of the subscribers to the
exodus fund. To feed, clothe, anG
shelter the poor, outraged negroes, wht
fed from the brutality of the Southern
land, is charitable. To cheerfully feei
drove of NANCY animals, so as tt
keep the outraged ones from broodins
over the wrongs they have endured by
giving their minds occupation in teach
ing tricks to ours, is an unparalleled
act of generosity. A yellow dog will
a bob tail, sitting upon his launches
balancing bit of hoecake on his nose
and at the command ssDar, now!" toss
ing it into the air and catching it as i
fell, attracted my attention. felt tina