The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-01-23
THE AFRICAN D.US[ON.
POSTOFFICE DEPARTNT OFF,
GALS TO LOOK 10 IT.

Johnson Was FiguriI1n Transpor-
tation-Couldn't PayExpenses TO
Liberia-Colored MeVho Wanted
TO Charter or Buy a amship-Ge
eral Manager Greer High-handed
Way Of Running pgs-Rev. Mr..
Peak Explains.
From the WasatoR Post
The description in yeiday's Fost of the
operations Of the iged colonization
company organized by ored men in this
city, by which coloreEeople were to be
transported to Africa given farms for
81 and 2-cent postagtamp, and as a re-
suit Of which some ousands of colored
people are now strand in Atlanta, caused
much excitement aug the colored people
in the city.
The matter was alsrought to the atten-
ton Of the postoffiodepartment. Post
master General Waulaker asked the opin-
ion of Judge 1yner, } Assistent Attorney
General of the deparent, as to whether any
Of the postal laws ofie United States had
been violated. Gen. Fner, upon q hurried
examination of thelbject, expressed the
opinion that someof the parties en-
gagged in the mer could be prose
cuted under . statute which
forhids the use of tlInails for fraudulent
purposes, even thou the circular sent out
did not. in precislterms. state tuat the
tickets sold for 81 oh were good for
passage to Africa. He thought, also, that
the same parties we liable to prosecution
under the anti-lotty law recently enacted
as that statute is spretty broad one. He
directed the chief Btoffice inspector to look
into the matter Tit official had, however,
already begun an Nestigation.
Some further fais in regard to the visit
Of Orange Davis. 10 colored man who was
reported to have 1t Atlanta with 81, 400 or
$500 belongingto people there who
wanted to go to Aica, have come to light.
Davis, who, by he way, has the repu
tation Of being honest man, and i'm
pressed those be MT here as such, had 81 ,056
when he got here he conferred with the
officers Of The cohization company here,
and left $500 viii George w. Moss. who
is the Washlngto agent Of the Inman and
other steamship 9mpanies. No money was
left with the aget of the North German
Lloyd line, as we enormously reported in
yesterdays Post. Mr.. Moss yesterday gave
the following staement for publication:
'Some time inOctoDer a clerical looking
man called BishQ johnson came to see me
as the representative of the different steam
ship companies. He was referred to me for
the purpose of 0artering a steamship to
take from 1000 b l ,205 colored people from
some southern pjrt thereafter TO be desig-
mated. He stated that there would be a
large number of colored people who would
emigrate from the southern states TO Lite
ria. He asked for Information i'll
the premises, and ct his request communi-
Gated with Two steamship companies in New
York and stated the object as explained,
and further said that if the steamship COM
panies desirtd it l would send Bishop John.
son to them. | received prompt responses
from each company, and they suggested
that Bishop johnson come TO see them. l
communicated these facts to Bishop
johnson. He left, and have never seen
him since.
About Dec. 10 or Is three colored men,
two of whom we're Rev. Mr.. Peak and
William OBrien, called on me in regard to
the same thing, that is, the chartering of q
steamship. told them that | had ex-
hausted the subject with Bishop johnson,
whom had never seen after had notified
him that the agents of the steamship COM
panies were ready to confer. They said
johnson had nothing to do with it, and that
they were general officers of the COM
pany. AT their request l again wrote
through personal friend in New York to
ascertain the cost of chartering a steamer
TO carry 900 or ], 200 people from Savan-
nah to Monrovia, port of Liberia. After
receiving reply | had no trouble in deliv-
erlng 1t to Mr.. Peak and his friend. who
we're calling on me about three times a day.
The price, which was $50, 900, the steamship
company to do the victualing and fuel for
he trip and all expenses at the wharves for
me round trip, did not suit Messrs. Peak
md O'Brien.
They wanted a reduction from these
lgures, and wanted me to try other COM
'anles. They said they wanted assistance
rom congress, and desired the informa
Ion IN such shape that it could be presented
o that body. 1 then informed them that as
IN earnest OF good faith by them I wanted
.nem TO deposit $500, which would return
IN the event that satisfactory arrapements
we're not made. On Dec. so Mr.. Peak.
Mr.: OBrien and another colored man
N. Davis Of Atlanta, called and said
,uey were ready to deposit $500 to secure
urtner action in their behalf. This money
Vook and gave them a conditional receipt.
1IaIlng that would return the money if /
III not get steamer at a lower rate
DAVIS said he had the money with him. but
Is preferred certified check, suggested
mat he had better deposit the money and
Orl9g check. As he was ignorant and
'ouid not read or write, sent clerk to the
"a 9an Ak with him, where Davis deposited
sI'VOO or more and made check payable
y my order for $500, which was certified by
.ue cashier. l gave them a conditional
eescelpt as before stated, and the subsequent
Efforts made by me to charter a steamer at
successful. "e-0 1n
, On Saturday last informed Mr.. Peak
.uaO any further communication on the sub
ecSol chartering steamer was undesirable.
luu further told him that I should return
que deposit to the person from whom had
IT, Last night | received the fol-
SStwIhg telegram from R. N. Davis at
,b VIZ you please make the five hundred dolers
|, !, ii nVl deposited YOU on the contrack Turn
S yer 70 Ar pbrienthe traursure of Emigration
telegram. ~" o. a. 80 r. IT,, r1te
l wired Mr.. Davis that would decline
" 40 that; that | would not deliver the
rue "a, TO any one except himself, taking
7 ~ sS one receipt when delivered the money.
i 9 ,lei5 send the money to Atlanta and have
c,i peiu 70 Davis on the surrender of his re-
esIaS Mr. y Brien came in yesterday and
P t5Heu NE II knew anything of firm in
f fun with steamers to charter. I re-
citI. MIN to Schumacher & Co. of that
IL s ana he said he would go and see them.
NJ. Sou the company wanted steamer for
,ott1 VI three years, and / told him they had
re- ea guy steamer, and when l asked if
tt COULD raise $500, 900 or $500, 900, which
.o SIGught would be necessary, he said they
' +. get any amount they needed
III ~ y SAID, on the best authority that when
1 yatS got the certified check for $500 to de-