The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1880-06-04
Conway's story.

At last the labors Of the Senate Ex-
odus Committee have been crowned
with success. II sought long and faith
fully 70 discover why the colored en-
igrants from the South suddenly turned
aside from the beaten path which led
towards Kansas and directed their steps
towards Indiana. Senator Voorhees,
felt sure that the new direction which
the exodus had taken wls not suggested
and advised BY the cOlOred people He
saw in this movement a deep-laid
scheme to change the political complex
ion Of his State and he determined TO
expose il. 1t must be admitted that
his efforts AT first were not very promise
ing. Indeed. until the COMMITTEES was
about TO close its work very little that
was important was discovered. The
Republicans were shrcwd. and managed
very skillfully 70 cover up their tracks.
In an evil moment for them. however.
they called 10 the witness stand General
Thomas w. Conway. This Conway is
not an unknown individual His deeds
while resident Of this State have
given him a reputation that an honest
man would not care 10 have. In this
exodus business he has been a very
prominent figure. II must not be sup
posed. however. that hiS interest in IL
grew out Of any desire to assist the
colorcd people. He was after money.
and. no doubt. his failure TO get rs much
as he thought he ought 10 have is the
real reason why he proved 70 be 50
good witness for the Democrats, and
- poor one for the Republicans. In
fact. Conway gave the whole scheme
completely away. He told the Com
mittee how President HAYES and
the late Zach Chandler arranged To
colonize the colored people in Indiana
in sufficient numbers to make il Re.
publican State. Conway was the agent
employed 10 carry out the scheme. He
went 70 Indiana and fixed up matters
with the leading Republican politicians
there. When everything was ready for
putting the scheme in operation. Con-
way stationed his agents along the
route which the colorcd people took 10
reach Kansas, and they. by lies Of one
kind or another. persuaded the emf
grants 10 change their destination TO
Indiana. One Of the lies told by these
agents was that the Kansas people were
determined that no more colorcd peo-
pie should come into their State and
that they Were keeping them out with
shot-guns- This il how, according 10
Conway. the clorcd people were forced
to go to Indiana. Conway explains his
share in the business by saving that he
thought il was for the good Of the
country that the Republican party
should remain in power because that
party was in 4 higher state Of ciyiiza-
ton than the Democratic. There Is no
reason 10 doubt Conway's story. II il
hardly probable. however. that he
would have told il il he had been paid
70 keep silent. II seems that he claims
that there are still due him 500 for
his services in this exodus business.
The refusal Of the Republicans 10 salts
~ this claim Is. perhaps. the reason
why he deserted his friends in their
time Of need. II is hardly creditable
to the President TO be mixed up in such
a disreputable affair. II il not consist
ent with the dignity Of the Chief Magis-
trate Of the country to engage in cngi-
neering political schemes such as this
which the Senate Exodus Committee
has exposed. ~ o. Times.