New-York tribune., 1908-02-09
SLAVES In FACT,
FREE in NAME ONLY
CHIN GANG METHODS
USED IN GEORGIA.
Brutal Whippngs and False Arrests
to Which White Mem Subject
Negroes.

Thomas NJ Biodgett chairman OF the Republicans
State League OF Georgia. in speech which he
made in Atlanta the other day said among other
things:
Negro slavery does exist in portions of Georgia
to-day Let describe to you the iniquitous
hve-year contract system which IS used 20 secure
and hold this free labor. II is termed They
employ negro for. say year. and IL he proves
a good hand his employer does not wish him to
leave. as labor is scarce. In this event. II the
negro announces his intention Of leaving. he Is.
just before the expiration of the year. arrested
some petty charge and taken TO jail Frequently
he is not informed to the nature OF the charss
against him until his employer visits him a few
days later and tells him he Is certain to be sent
to the chain gang II the matter ever comes TO
trial and offers 70 have the charge quashed fe
the negro will sign ntract work for him
for FIVE years
AT times. however. the negro being innocent OF
the charge and having faith in his acquittaI de-
ciines the offer and Is told that few years IN the
chain gang will bring him TO his senses In case
he becomes stubborn as they express it, he IS
allowed to go to the chain gang FOR a term and
near its end is informed that there are other
charges on the court docket against him. but that
his former employer will have these cases thrown
out if the negro will 70 the plantation go to
work and behave himself
Another method used is by 5aiIiug out those who
have been arrested for crimes actually committed.
But whatever means may be used OF securing
theSe negroes, once they get them II IS practically
impossible for them to leave afrerward
The saddest part OF the affair. however. is tho
condition of the negroes who were born and raised
on these Plantations These represent fully one
half of the entire number, and OF these two-thiris
have never been of OF these places
THE majority bound these men in arv
way but know II they attempt TO escape and are
caught they Will not only De whipped badly bur
will most probably be sent to the chain gang
which tand with reason) is their worst conception
hell
Supplies of all kinds are issued to these negroes
IN the same manner before the Civil War.
SO absolute is the employers control over thsss
unfortunate negroes that not of them dares
make a move without their permission. Should a
couple. whether single married. wish go 70
church each one must go TO old mars;sr' and first
get his permission Should a couple wish o get
married old marster's permission be secured
first No one is allowed TO leave these plantations
without first obtaining leave. Every person as
soon as he is able to raise hoe. from years
of age upward. work in the fields.
The husband never knows where his wife -
during the day. what she is doing. and
mother never knows where her children are until
nghtfan and is never consulted TO where and
how her child shall work
No restrictions placed on the language used
the sexual life Of these people and the moral
effect resulting from this OF things is some
thing terrible.
Frequently some OF the workers called from
among te DINERS are compelled to bare themselves
from waist downward. TO get down on all fours
before old Tnarster.' and in spite of their screams
prayers and entreates whipped with the terri
Die lash which is always carried under the phaetOn
seat
Instances of these whppings being given
not rare. but. TO the contrary. common
10 be expected, and not only may they be a.
most every day but are received by almost every
one-men. women and chidren-froul the foreman
of the squad Down to the smallest water boy
The act would be barbarOus enough. even IL
dG3e privately but the manner in which the
ard girls are barred and whipped in the open field.
within sight of of others. IS simply
ria!e for words 10 describe.
Thus one cannot wonder slIe abject fear in
which these men held by these negroes TIE
question naturally arises. Why do they
away: The attempt is occasionally made. but
perieace has proved that it is almost impossible for
these people 10 get away without asterwa-d being
caught and brought back.
To sum up the situation. here are apparently
eight hundred negroes held in bondage as s5soIuts
as was ii vogue before the Civil War They are
allowed no more freedom they receive the same
cnagac;er Of food and clothing receive no wages
10. their labor and punished in the same man
ner