The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-05-19
WORKING THE OLD SLAVES.
They Are Fleeced Through Promises OF
Big Pensions.

They Are Fleeced Through Promises OF
Big Pensions.
A Washington dispatch says: Thou
sands of ignorant colored people in
this country are being induced to be-
lieye that they are to be pensioned by
the United States government upon
being able to show that they were for
merly slaves. The promoters Of this
scheme, which has the earmarks of a
systematic attempt to extract money
from credulous colored people by
holding out to them false hopes of n
government pension, have been at work
for number Of years, and it is esti-
mated that over Si50, 900 has been col
lected by the self-constituted mission
aries having the project in hand.
The subject came to the surface
few days ago through correspondence
| between n culored teacher in one of
the southern states and United States
| senator. The preacher wrote to the
| senator to inquire into the matter, in
view of tho fact that SO many of the
colored people in his state had been
assessed to dcfray the expenses of the
proposed legislation. The senator,
who is one of the most influential
members of that body, by reason Of
important committee assignments. in
stituted an investigation, and this is
tho substance of findings which he re-
ported to the colored divine who
| sought information on the subject:
1t appears that there has been in
existence for about ten years, or more,
an enterprise under the title of the
"Ex-Slaye Mutual Relief Bounty and
| Pension Association of the United
States of America" This association
has its agents in every state in the
Union for the purpose of locating, if
| possible, all former slaves. The latter
are told that legislation is now pend
ing before congress TO pension all for
| mcr slaves as follows:
All persons seventy years of age, to
receive $500 and also S15 per month
during their natural lives. Persons
of sixty years to receive $500 and
S12 per month. Persons fifty years to
receive 500 and $S per month. Per-
sons less than fifty years to receive 81
| per month, etc. 1T is necessary for all
of the supposed beneticiaries of the
proposed legislation to ray into the
| association 20 cents ms registration
fee. 1t is claimed thai over 600, 600
| eX-siaves have been so registered.
According to the circular sent out by
the association, copy of which is now
III the hands Of the senator referred to,
the headquarters or main office is a..
No. 70S Gay street, Nashville, Tenn.
|. II. Dickcrson is general manager.
The circular is headed Coward to
Victory" 1t also contains n picture
of General Manager Dickerson. 1t is
addressed
"To All Local ExSlnve Associations
in the United States. We come greet
ing ms general manager and promoter
of the movement, which has had so
much opposition and more combats in
its own circles than any other organi-
zation Of the present day"
Then follows special mention Of the
membership fee, 25 cents. Also the
information that the national delegate
i'll Washington is located at 475 Mis-
souri, avenue, and has secured the SER
vices of Attorney w. G. Lawson.
The circular further appeals to every
eX-slave to send his name, with the
registration fee of % cents. 1t also
appeals to every local association to
send 81. 80 for IL charter at once, and
every eX- slave to send in an additional
) cents to aid in the movement. These
assessm ents are to be sent to the office
of the national delegate, given above.