The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-07
MADE TO LIVE AS SLAVES.
Condition of Italians in south Caro-
linn Ph0sphnte Mines.

NEW YORK. April 6.-Through Consul
General Branch. who represents Italy in
this city. Nicolo di Benedetto, who lives at
10 Mulberry Street. has made an appeal to
the authorities of South Carolina to rescue
his fellow count-ymen in the phosphate
mines at Pom Pom, s. c., from what he de-
clares TO be a state of slavery. According
to 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 20 work,
we'll or sick. under pain of beating or even
Of death if they refuse. and by an in
genious system they are kept always in the
debt of the padrone. The Consul General
says that for many years complaints have
been coming in from Italians in these
mines. but that it is impossible for him TO
take any effectual measures to put step
TO the outrages.
Benedetto has not been in this country
very long. and is not conversant with
American customs. When, shortly after he
had landed. an Italian agent OF the pbos-
phate mines came to him and offered him
a steady job, at which he could make cas- Iy
81 a day at piece work, Benedetto. to-
gether with several other men. all Of whom
were new arrivals, set out for Pom Pom,
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 aday.
and that amount Pizzo, who was manager
OF the company store and ran the boarding
house. charged him for board. He was
also informed that he owed the company
for his fare 20 Pom Pom, and that he would
not be permitted TO go until he had paid
that debt He made up his mind to run
away. DiscOuragements to this course OF
procedure existed in the form of armed
guards. seven or eight in number, who
showed readiness to use their guns and
knives
If the Italians were i'll or unable 20
work. the affidavit goes on to say. they
were severely beaten. They were miser-
ably lodged and fed. One whose name
Benedetto did not know was unable to
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 DIT the time of the shooting and
spirited away the murderer.
Finally Benedetto became desperate. and
on the night of February 20, aided by 4
storm and dense darkness, he contrived 10
escape and made his way slowly back To-
TINS city. On the advice OF MS friends ne
went to Consul General Branchi and told
him his story. after making an affidavit TO
the facts. A copy of this affidavit was sent
TO the Italian consul at Charleston. who
forwarded il to Governor McSweeny- To =
reporter SignOr Branchi said today:
This affidavit is only one of many we
have been having for many years testi-
flying to the evils of the system employed
at the South Carolina phosphate mines.
There is no G5ubt that slavery is practiced
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. 1t will be TO the lasting
discredit of South Carolina If measures
are not taken TO wipe out this evil.
Mr.. Branchi has among his papers
copy of a newspaper report in the case OF
the killing OF FLIP Bonavitacelia on Feb
ruary 20. which is the case referred to by
Benedetto in his affidavit. This states
that the sheriff of the county made a re-
port en- the case to the Governor. in which
he says the killing was in Pizzo's store
and that the guard fired in seif-defence.
The coroner's jury also found a verdict 10
that effect