The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-01
WHEN
Continuation of the Investigation by the Com
mittee of the House of Representatives,.

NEW YORK, July 3l-The congressional COM
mittse continued its investigation to-day of the
emigration question. The committee adopted a
resolution declaring that while they were III ses-
sion in this city any two members named by the
chairman shall constitute . quorum to issue
subpenas, administer oaths and take the testi-
mony OF witnesses, aud that o subcommittee Of
two or three mombers may be appointed by the
chair with like powers to conduct an examina-
ton Of witnesses elsewhere during the time the
committee 10 engaged here. or at any other time
or place that the full committee may decide.
This will give the committee an opportunity to
carry on the investigation in two cities at one
time. They find that they have moro work
ahead than they thought.
Francis Bumonta was the first witness to-day.
he came from Italy In May last on q tramp
steamer. He paid his own passage at a cost of
l54 francs. he was induced to como here. like
the previous witnesses, by promises of making
money. FIFTEEN hundred other Italians came in
the same steamer. He has q wife and daughter
In Italy. They have a little property, and exc
out a living. he had not worked since his ar
rival The witness appeared to think, with
previous witnesses, that the committee was ap-
pointed to right their wrongs aud get them
work at high wages. Ii he does not get work at
six francs q day, somebody. he says, has cot to
send him back to Italy. The agent, Dorelli. in
duced him to come TO this country, saying that
the Italian immigration society owned q vast
amount of land. and he would be put to work
on it, Dorelli has been in the soliciting business
for anumber of years. He bad paid Dorelli thirty
francs in March last as earnest money but re-
ceived nothing in exchange. 1t was paid in Ma
pies. in the ofice Of the immigration society.
Doreili gave him q letter introducing himself
and bis companion TO the colonization society at
Naples. The witness remained three days in
Naples before starting for America. Those con-
nscted with the colonization society told the
witness and his companion they would get
plenty Of work ard good pay in this country.
The society furnished cards 10 be presented to
the society in New York. On their arrival here,
the society said they had no lands. and they had
to be content with the reply that thsy should
receive work just as soon as God sent it." The
witness borrowed 200 francs in Italy. and he is
obliged to return 2o0 francs. Interest
on money Ia Italy is % per cent. per apnum.
His property was worth z. 1000 francs. and &C.
property. if so disposed. to satisfy their claims.
The witness concluded by saying that he would
return TO Italy at once il he had the money.
The committee examined Guissepe Menetti
and Antonio Sgranibiglia. but gathered nothing
new Each told the old story of being persuad-
ed to come over here by promise Of plenty of
work and big pay. and each. like all the rest,
testified that thev raised their passage money
at enormous rates of interest
Banker Bernardini asked to be allowed to
tcStiy. Nc eblu II . WduteO SoLislaCtlOu IOr tu9
SANDER which was hurled at him yesterday.
He was sworn. He said be had been
in this country six years. and
during that time had been engaged in manufact-
uring cigars, as a banker. and q railroad con-
tractor. He said he did not know the men who
testified yesterday. nor the men they referred to
in Italy. He had no connection with them, nor
had he ever had anything to do with bring
ing men over from Italy. He eaid he could give
any quantity of references as to character, and
had never misappropriateda anything. He declared
ne had spent over s.. 1000 of his own money last
year helping the Italian colony here. and that
Mario, superintendent of the italian emiera-
ton society. had paid him 800 as q reward for
this.
Congressman Oates examined the witness as
to his mode of carrying on the banking and
contract business. but ELECTED nothing impor-
tant. The committee then adjourned until Mon
day next.