The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-15
sYvlNDLE MOST SYSTEMATIC.
GIGANTIC SCHEME TO DEFRAUD
NEGROES OUT OF MONEY.


senator Has Investigated the
scheme, and Congress May Take
1t Up.
washington. May 14.-(speciaD Thou
sands of ignorant colored people in this
country are being induced to believe that
they are to be pensioned by the United
States government. upon being able to
show that they were formerly slaves.
The promoters of this scheme which has
all the ear marks of a systematic attempt
TO extract money from credulous colored
people by holding out to them false hopes
of a government pension, have been at
work for a number of years, and it is
estimated that over $l5O,OOO has been col
lected by the self-cons ituted missionaries
having the project in hand.
The subject came to the surface a few
DAYS ago, through some correspondence
between a colored preacher, in one of the
Southern states, and a United States SEN
4 ator The preacher wrote to the senator
4 10 inquire into the matter, in view of the
4 fact that so many colored people in his
II
4 penses of proposed legislation.
4 Made an Investigation.
The senator, who is one of the most in
4 duential members Of. that body. by rea-
y son of his long service Uhree terms) and
his important committee assignments in
Il sututad an investigation, and this is the
substance of the findings which he re-
ported to the colored divine who sought
4 information on the subject.
it appears that there has been in exist
\ ence for about ten years or more con-
corn under the title of The ex-Slaves'
Muual Relief Company and Pension AS
sociauon of America" This association
has its agents in every state in the union,
for the purpose of locating, if possible.
! ell former slaves. The latter are told that
legislation is now pending before Congress
4 TO pension all former slaves as follows:
All persons 70 years Of age to receive
5000 and also SIS per month during their
natural lives; persons 60 years of age to
receive $500 and $12 per month; persons 50
years to receive 500 and IS per month;
persons less than 80 years to receive 81
i per month. etc.
1t is necessary for all of the supposed
Ibenehcaries of the proposed legislation to
3pay INTO the association % cents as
|registration fee II is claimed that over
6J0'Q0o eX-slaves have been so registered.
Coward to Victory"
According to the circular sent out by
the association, copy of which is now
IN the hands of the senator referred to-
the headquarters or main office is at No
lIS Gay street, Nashville, Tenn l. Fl.
Dickerson is general manager. The cir
cular is headed: "Opward to Victory
II a4so contains picture of General Man
\ aser Dickerson. 1t is addressed to all
4 Local ex-slave associat tons in the Unit
4 ted states. We come greeting as general
manager and promoter of the movement
which has had so much opposition and
more combats in it's own circle than any
4 nIner organization of the present day."
Il Ihen follows special mention of the mem
4 peFshlp fee, 25 cents, and also the infor-
iAallon that the national delegate in Wash
lhSton IS located at AIS Missouri avenue
ana has secured the services of Attorney
w. c. Lawson.
Inc circular further appeals to every ex-
II save TO send his name with the registra-
lioh lee of twenty-five cents. 1t also ap-
peals TO every local association to send
Sz''9 for a charter, and every ex-slave to
sehu IN addition five cents to aid in the
Il movement These assessments are TO be
i sem TO the office of the national delegate
gwen above The circular also announces
lhat the national convention at Nashville
IN leSS made the weekly publication the
Il National Capital, twenty-five cents for
'nree months, the official organ of the as
socation.
Has Mason's Picture.
Another and more recent circular of
S,lniaf import bears a picture of Senator
"i4H3m e. Mason of Illinois, /. Fl. Dick
II S!Sou' Seneral manager IA Line street.
n ,f, l.
ele only incorporated and chartered move
lnen' IN the United States, and all others
aIe frauds; calls attention to the bill to
pc Hslon eX-s,aYes introduced in the House
~ % representatives, June a. 1890 by then
i ~ preventative Conneil of Nebraska"
-, IN the Ffty-fourth Congress. Senator
AuIston, reintroduced the Connen bill in
me senate, and the circular calls special
"I'eAtlon TO the fact that that bill Pass
,.l,'3 20 TWO readings and was referred to the
pension committee"
NOW, 10 those who are not familiar with
S"e parliamentary proceedings of the
90 tine words second reading" sounds
me making considerable progress. As a
in't1er OF fact. the Connell bill or a SINH
lai MEASURE has been introduced at ev-
cry session. of Congress during the past
'eu Years. These bills have been introduc
ca by request" and so marked. which
1o"S' according to the practice at the
SuPiIo THAI the man who introduces a
piH piH by request is not personally respon-
sue Tor IT, So The bill to pension ex-
saves has always been introduced 'by re-
queS' and simply read by its title. con
siNeLed as read a second time and sent
70 lAe pension committee, where il has
lever reached the stage Of considerat ton
oy t1at committee.
40 ChHuee for the Meoxuro
mere never was. and there probably
liver VIII be the slightest prospect of the
p59aase Of such a bill and the promoters
VI ,Ae '25 cents" registration scheme are
".l! aware OF that fact. There are sew
-Ii rival concerns engaged in this busi-
es'' and there have been several disputes
q, 10 who should control the registra-
@ @..on lees. 1t appears that IT, II. Dicker-
0H was deposed as general manager for
e"ort time, but he was renstated
. ne circular warns ex-slaves that there
~, diHerence between the "Vaughns'
D.ou and ex-Slaves Mutual Relief Boun-
~ ana Pensian Association. Our associ-
L',eh says the circular is chartered and
- '0lSs 10 the people. The fee OF 25 cents
q ely charged the party who enrolls
q n. ..s--