The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-07
MADE TO LIVE AS SLAVES.
Condition of Italians i'm south Care
lima Phosphate Mines.

NEW YORK. April Through Ccusll
General Branch. who represents Italy in
this city Nicolo d Benedetto. who lives at
IS Mulberry Street. has made an appeal 10
the authorities Of South Carolina to rescue
his fellow countrymen in the phosphate
mines at Pom Pom. s. c.. from what he de-
clares to be state Of slavery. According
10 his affidavit unfortunate Italians who
are lured from this city to the mines on
promise OF good pay are restrained there
by armed guards and compelled TO work,
well or sick. under pain OF beating or even
Of death if they refuse and BY an ir-
genious system they are kept always in he
debt Of the padrOne. The Consul General
says that for many years complaints have
been coming IN from Italians iu these
mines. but that it is impossible for him 10
take any effectual measures to put a step
10 the Outrages.
Benedetto has not been in this country
very long. and is not cOuversant with
American customs. When shortly after re
had landed. an Italian agent OF the pbos-
plate mines came to him and offered him
a steady job at which he could make eas ly
81 a day al piece work, Benedero. TO-
gether with several other men. all Of whom
the agent paying the fares.
According to his affidavit he contracted
TO work for CatetlO PizzO and left here on
November s. getting TO Pom Pom four days
later. After he went to work in the phOs-
phate mines he found that his greatest
exertiOns brought him only 80 cents day.
and that amount Pizzo, who was manager
Of the company store and ran the boarding
house. charged him for board He was
ali I'M haf he he
for his fare to pom Pom and that he would
not be permitted TO go until he had paid
that debt He made up his mind 70 run
away Disbursements to this course OF
procedure existed in the form OF armed
guards. seven or eight in number, who
showed a readiness to use their guns and
knives.
II the Italians were i'll or unable %
work. the affidavit goes on to say. they
were severely beaten They we're miser-
ably lodged and fed. One whose name
Benedetto did not know was unable 10
work because OF sickness. A guard ordered
him to work and when he refused to get
up shot him dead PizzO the padrone, was
| present at the time Of the shooting and
/ spirited away the murderer
Finally BenedettO became desperate. and
on the night Of February 26. aided by 4
storm and dense darkness. he cOntrived 10
/ escape and made his way slowly back 10
/ this city. On the advice Of his friends he
went TO Consul General Branchi and told
him his story after making an affidavit 10
the facts. A copy Of this affidavit was sent
to the Italian consul at Charleston. VINO
[ forwarded il to Governor McSweeny. To a
reporter SignOr Brancbi said today:
This affidavit is only one Of many we
/ have been having for many years tesl-
/ fying TO the evils Of the system employed
! at the South Carolina phosphate mines.
/ There is no doubt hat slavery is practced
| in those mines upon the ignorant Italians,
| who are decoyed there under promise OF
good wages. This consulate has repeatedly
/ appealed to the State authorities, but
/ without success. It viii be 70 the lasting
| discredit Of South Carolina If measures
are not taken to wipe out this evil
Nr Branchi has among his papers
copv of a newspaper report in the case or
[ the killing Of FLIP Bonavitacelia on Feo-
ruary 20. which is the case referred TO oy
( Renedetto In his affidavit This states
/ that the sheriff Of the county made a re-
I mort On the case to the Governor. in which
| he saws the killing was in Pizzo's store
/ and that the guard fired in self-defence-
| The coroner's jury also found verdict 10
| that effect.