The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-04-20
DOWN ON 7HB DAGOS.
South Jersey Berry Pickers
Sending White Cap"
Notices Broad
cast.
sreeial 70 the Jersey oily Nelos.

/ O-a-10i-Ns "A pm 40 4Ioos--1 AAC 4SetAtftii
berry picker must 60
| This has been practically decided upon
in many places along the lines of the
railroads in Camden and Atlantic coun-
ties. The "DaQos, rs the Italians are
reproachfnlly termed, are of no good
whatever as permanent citizens They
will not, as u general thing, affiliate with
the people among whom they gain their
livelihood, refuse to settle down and
become good. law abiding citizens and
consequently are not wanted.
This sentiment is held now by hundreds
and thousands OF small berry farm owners
IN South Jersey, and by many more ma
tives,' or residents, who gain livelihood
for six mouths of every year by gathering
| berries. This EMPLOYMENT the italians.
who have oyerrun the country during the
past ten years, have entirely broken into,
and it is difficult in many places now for
resident TO secure employment at the
old rate of compensation.
The feeling is becoming very bitter
against the Dagos. The mutterinrs of
weeks ago the owner of twenty eight
acre small fruit farm this side of Ham
monitor found notice posted on his
door containing this language:
DOWN WITH THE DAGol'
lyon are hereby warned not to employ
the coming season on penalty of being Sc
verey punished. WHITE CAPsn
The following day the farmer found a
letter containing q similar threat In his
postoffice box, He took it to a friend
whose farm, while not adjoining, was not
very far distant from his own, and show
ing it to him asked what he thought OF 1t.
| 70 his surprise his friend, who also culti-
waited small fruits, repIied:-
ION, don't be alarmed. received one
Just like it not many days ago. The
natives are kicking because the Dagos
are cutting down the price. It won't
amount to anything"
The first farmer went away comforted
ana thought no more about the matter
for week or so. Last week the Italian
agent, who goes out in advance and
makes contracts to supply italian berry
pickers, visited the farmer and received
an order for ten Italians-three full
grown men, three women and four chill
dren- to stay from the beginning of
strawberry picking season until rasp-
berries and blackberries out of the way.
ANOTHER WARNING LETTER
The next day the farmer received an
other alleged White Cap letter. threaten
ing all sorts OF dire vengeance il he re-
ceiyed the ten Italians he Bargained for
the previous day. This paralyzed him.
He could not tell how the parties derived
such accurate information as to his plans
He was more astonished when his friend,
who had made a similar bargain with the
agent, came To him with similar letter
Tue friend was now alarmed himself.
What shall we do?n he asked.
II can't tell just now. If this is
movement on the part of the natives,
against the Dagos, Wen have to sur
render, | guess.n
Other letters, purporting to be signed
by White Caps were received by small
fruit farmers wno have in the past en-
ployed Italians as berry pickers. The
farmers are convinced that the '.natives''
wrote them and put the signature,
NV hite Caps" to it for blind.
Several of the native pickers followed
up the letters for the purpose of seeing
how they worked. The farmers made no
promises, however, one way or the other.
The natives declare that they will drive
every dago from the neighborhood.
WHY THEY OBJECT.
I'VE don't object TO Italians as
class, " said a leading small fruit farmer,
who opposes the employing of Italians
and VINO always gives his picking. to
| natives; they are welcome, for all o.
me, to confe here and permanently locate
But the Jersey blood is TOO hot in my
veins TO allow these cutthroats Of Ital-
ians to come here and by working for
underpay take the living out of my
peoples mouths. | would be opposed TO
any other class of people We have some
OF the finest citizens among the Italians,
| who buy homes and make good neigh
bors. When they come here simply as
| pickers we object. You will see before
! long that our objections will amount to
something too. See how they cut each
others Threats at Hammonton, Atco and
\ on the cranberry boys. They have re-
duced strawberry picking from two cents
/ to 4 cent aquart in many places Some
| farmers are too big fools to see that this
Is no benefit to them 1t drives the
better class OF poor people from the
| neighborhood to make room for gang of
homeless vsgabonds. We won't stand it
! any lonEern
| II is said that public organizations are
/ to BIZ formed for the purpose Of urging
upon the farmer the necessity OF employ
ing natives this season.
|
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