The Portland daily press., 1864-03-12
Foreign Immigration.

the North, in consequence of the drain of men
caused by the war, is just now attracting the
attention of the people of the country.
bill has recently been introduced into Con-
gress by Mr. Sherman, to encourage immigra-
ton, which provides for the appointment of
San officer to be styled the Commissioner of
Immigration, who shall be under the direction
of the Secretary of State, to hold his office
during four years, at salary of s25O0 per an
num-" who is to collect and publish informa-
ton in regard to soil, climate, mineral resour-
ces, and agricultural products, rate of wages,
and price of labor in different portions of the
United States, and also the means of commu-
nication and the wants of agricultural, manu-
featuring and other Industrial interests of the
United States, and to disseminate such infor-
nation throughout Europe in a concise and
popular form, from time to time, in such man
ner as will best accomplish the objects con-
templated; the information thus collected to
be printed in different languages. Offices OF
emigration are to be established at New YORK
and New Orleans and superintendent ap-
pointed. These superintendent are to make
contracts with various railroads for transport
tation of the emigrants, furnish them with
such information and facilities as will enable
them in the cheapest and most expeditions
manner to reach their destination,or where this
is not determined by the immigrant, to the
place where his labor will be most profitable.
Such are the outlines OF Mr.. Shermans bill
In Massachusetts, the Boston Board of Trade
hos tolxao ., tho m, altar apd Euoora MT III
Society has been formed, composed of the
solid men of Boston, the object of which is to
encourage immigration to aud settlement in
Massachusetts,. Our own Gov. Washburn in
his annual message to the Legislature in 1861,
called attention to this matter. He said,
"Whle upon this topic of the settlement Of
our unoccupied lands, will take occasion TO
say that the plan OF some organized measures
for the introduction of emigrants from the
north;of Europe to our State, has been re-
ceived with mnch favor by many of the most
thoughtful and far-sighted Of our citizens.
The Norwegians in particular it is believed by
those who have studied their character, would
form desirable accessions to our population.
By such they are said to be fair and healthy.
They are also represented as intelligent,
brave, loyal, frugal, Industrious, affectionate
and religious. They are our true ancestors.
The climate, growth and agricultural produc-
tions of Norway resemble, in many respects,
those of northern Maine" A new interest
has been awakened liz this State, by an address
delivered by Rev. DIR. Tefft, American Consul
at Stockholm before the members of the Leg
islature on the subject of immigration from
Norway and Sweden to Maine. DR.. T. repre-
sents that labor in that country is very low,
common laborers earning only about 20 cts.
per day, boarding themselves; while me-
chanics and artizans work at correspondingly
low rate. The best house servants can be
hired at sl5 to $40 per year. He also repre-
sents these people as exceedingly DESTROYS of
lettering their condition by immigrating to
this country, so much so that his office has
been so crowded with applicants for means to
reach America that he was obliged to adver-
tise that he could not receive such applca-
tons.
A people thus earning only bare subsis-
tence from day to day, could not acquire the
means with which to emigrate to America,
and the question to be solved was how these
men and women, ready, able and anxious for
employment, could be placed in communica-
ton with, and be made available to those on
this side of the water, who are as ready and
anxious to employ them. The State is suf-
fering for lack of laborers. Every farm, ev-
cry workshop, every factory, every house
is in of hal Ia
adapted to our soil, our climate, our institu-
lions and occupations; farmers, mechanics,
millmen, lumbermen, miners, house-seryarts.
How shall we obtain the labor they are so
anxious to dispose OFF
A consultation among some of the most
substantial and influential men from different
sections of the State, resulted in the formation
of the Foreign Emigrantj Association Of
Maine;" under an act incorporating Hon.
Geo. F. Patten, of Bath, aud some thirty 9TH
er influential citizens from different parts of
the State, with capital of fifty thousand dol
lars. 1t is proposed by this Association, to
establish offices in this State and in Europe,
and appoint agents to receive applications
for the different classes of laborers wanted,
and passage money to enable the immigrants
to reach this State. These applications with
the money will be transmitted to the agents
in Europe, who will make the contracts
which by the law incorporating the Associa-
ton, are made valid. The agent In Europe
will forward the immigrants contracted for
under charge of a special agent, and delv-
cred to the parties ordering them in this State.
The Company will be responsible for all mon
ey placed in their hands, and for the faithful
transaction of the business entrusted to them.
1t is proposed to make the contract in the
form OF an indenture, which would bind the
immigrant making it, to be the performance
OF his contract thus insuring the repayment
OF the money advanced, unless in case of death,
which could be insured against by the Asso-
citation, on the principle of life Insurance.
1t will be observed that this Association is up
on the principle of the American Express
Companies, which have become indispensable
institutions in our country.
The great advantage which would accrue to
the State by thus bringing within her terri
tory so valuable a population, can scarcely be
estimated. A Resolve has been introduced
into the Legislature, paying TO the Foreign
Emigrant Association of Maine" S25 for ev-
cry able-bodied emigrant between the ages of
10 aud so, settled in the State and remaining
one year without becoming chargeable to any