The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1880-04-23
THE ExoDusrERs

Measures Taken for Their Employment
mt n Meeting Of Enporla Cltlzens.
The meeting held at the court house
the 18th inst, in behalf Of the exodusters
in Emporia, was viii attended, the audi
ence being composed Of a number of the
business men OF the town and large
representation of the refugees in whose
interest the meeting WAS called.
An organization was effected by elect
ing Col. II. C. Whitley chairman of the
meeting, and by whom the object of the
gathering was briefly stated
The committee appointed at previous
meeting TO investigate the condition of
the refugees, reported that in many in
stances they were crowded into tenament
houses and cellars in such numbers AS
10 render their situation such rs To &c
mand immediate attention, as their pres
ent mode of living is certain 20 engender
disease among themselves and dissent
nate contagion and death in the c0mmu-
nifty.
II was reported that, with compare
lively few exceptions, the exodusters had
been able TO sustain themselves since
their arrival in Kansas, and their viii
lingness 10 work was generally attesied.
Aid lad been extended to some families
who had been afflicted with sickness.
but no considerable number of the refu-
gees had been the recipients Of public
charity.
- 81. IL.
expression was invited at the hands of
the exodus;ers themselves, and the ex-
preston was almost unanimous of de-
sire to get out OF the city anal obtain en-
ployment as farm hands in the country.
The cOlOTed men availcd themselves of
the proflered opportunity To speak, and
freely gave their experiences in the di-
rection of seeking employment, the great
difficulty in the way of procuring which
among the farmers was want of houses
in which to best0w the colorcd men and
their families. II was represented that
n number of families had already been
placed in the country, and in every case
had gwen the best of satisfaction to their
employers.
There was apparent on the part of the
refugees present an eager desire to place
themselves on aselfsustaining basis, and
we think that all that is needed to secure
this contamination is TO put them in the
way of securing that class of employ
ment which they so much desire.
After very general discussion of the
question in all its phases, it was finally
determined to appoint committee
whose work it shall be to confer with
farmers throughout the country or any
other parties desiring to employ hands,
and assist the colored men in obtaining
employment.
On motion, it was decided that the
chair appoint this committee, and in
pursuance thereof Rev. DR.. Cordley, Geo.
Frederick and j. F. Drake were named
by the president as the gentlemen select
ed to act in this capacity.
The plan is for this committee to con-
stitute a sort of Intelligence board, to
whom those seeking employment as well
as those desiring hands, can apply for
information. Mr.. Drake was designated
as the chairman of this committee, and
it was suggested that he specify a GER
tain time when such matters can receive
attention at his furniture store on Com.
mercial street.
1t was further determined to insert an
advertisement in the city papers, stating
that these men can be employed, and
giving directions for securing their SER
vices Most of them have been accus-
toned To farm work, and in the main
are said to be excellent hands. We think
the only obstacle in the way of this desir
able disposition of the exodusters will be
the difficulty in obtaining houses in the
country for their families, rs it is well
known that the average Kansas farmer
has very few supertluous buildings and,
as general rule, is not very able to
build new ones. II Is true that
the exodusters seem willing To live under
almost any sort of a shelter, but the
most inferior shanty costs something,
and some plan must yet be devised
whereby the teemIng abOdes of the col
ored people in the city can be cleaned
out and their occupants removed to more
healthful quarters. The work of the
committee probably contemplates a solu-
ton of this problem, and as they advance
in their duties we should be pleased to
hear from them, or, in fact, any one else
who has anything of value to suggest in
this connection.
The action of the meeting on the 18th
was at least step in the proper direc
ton, and the fact that it met with the
long-eared opposition of the mayor of
the city sho aid be regarded as an earnest
of its ultimate feasibility and success.
\ new time schedule for the Eureka
branch went into effect on :he 18th inst.
II does not change the time of arrivals
and departures at the Emporia end of