Evening star., 1899-09-21
DELUDING THE FREEDMEN.
An AssOcfatiOn LevyinG COntribu-
tfOns on Former Slaves.

ttOns on FORMER SiaNes.
The Post Office Department today issued
fraud order against the ex-Slave Mutual
Relief Bounty and Pension Association-I.
H. Dickerson, national manager; Rev. D.
D. McNairy. national president; Rev. N.
Smith. national secretary; Mrs. Callie
House. national assistant secretary, and
Rev. H. Head, national treasurer, Nash
vile. Tenn.
The ostensible object of this so-called as
sociation is to obtain from Congress legls-
laton granting pensions to eX-slaves or
their descendants; but as revealed by the
Investigations of the Post Office Depart
ment and the advertising and circular mat
ter used, 1t is plainly "a systematic and
shrewdly devised scheme to defraud the
very class of people for whose benefit 1t
falsely claims to be working.
In the promotion of this design much
stress is placed by the association upon
bill introduced by request in both branches
of the Fifty-fifth Congress, second session,
entitled "A bill to provide pensions for freed
men, which, after reading, was referred TO
the committees on pensions in both houses.
Copies of this bill have been freely crcu-
lated among the negroes of the southern
states by officers of the association at
mass meetings conducted by them and
through correspondence. In the circulars
used by the association the provisions of
the bill in question are greatly distorted
and misconstrued
passed two readings, the impression
sought to be conveyed to these untutored
people plainly being that the bill is sure
soon to become a law.
In flaming posters and handbils meetings
and other alleged efforts in behalf of the
pending legislation are announced, and the
deluded ex-saves, wrought up to high
pitch of expectation, are readily persuaded
to contribute out of their slender meaas
funds for pushing the cause along.
A more unconscionable or heartless fraud
can hardly be conceived. 1t is known that
remittances aggregating large amount
have been thus obtained by the officers OF
the association, whose high-sounding titles
impress the negroes with the idea that the
wearers WELD tremendous influence In the
affairs of the nation; all of which funds
have been expended by the officers in the
way of salaries and expenses for them
selves and members of their families en-
ployed in clerical capacities.
In issuing this fraud order the Post Of
flee Department does not in any respect
invade the right of any class of citizens to
associate themselves together to petition
for or otherwise influence the passage by
Congress of legislation in behalf of their
own interests. The purpose and effect of
its action are simply to protect ex-SlaveS
and their descendants from the rapacity
principally of unscrupulous members of
@rAeir own race. who in the benevolent garb
of ministers of religion or other (often as
sumed) profession prey upon the credul1ty
and inexperience of their unfortunate
brethren.
Mr.. w. r. Vaughan. former member of
Congress, who seems to have originated
the idea of pensioning ex-slaves, has dis
avowed his connection with the various
fraudulent concerns which have made use
of the plan for the benefit of so-called Of
ficers, and in a communication to the com
missioner of pensions has offered TO do
everything in his power TO aid in their sup
preston. 1t appears that Mr.. Vaughan has
long since abandoned his efforts to pro-
cure eX-slave pension legislation.