Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-03-06

IMMIGRATION Soc1ETY-REroRr OF THE SPECIAL
COMMITTEE ArPoINTED.--Below we publish the re-
port of the special committee appointed by the
Immigration Society Of this city to prepare and
devise plan ct operation for carrying out the
objects of the Society. The report was made to
the meeting held on Wednesday night last, and
would have previously been published in these
columns but for the demands upon our space by
other important matter. AS has been previously
s ated the report was received, sabject to tho &C
ton of all adjourned meeting to be held on
Wednesday, March 5th.
The report speaks for itself, and we would re-
commend careful perusal by all those interested
in the subject of immigration. The Importance
of this question is generally recognized, and the
want of white laboring population. of sturdy,
thrifty immigrants is what is most needed to
build up the prosperity of our country, and con-
vert our tracts now laying waste into rich fields
bearing abundant harvests. The want of means
is sore obstacle in the way of securing the pres.
ence of these settlers ) yet some plan must be de-
vised by which they may be attracted to our
midst, the present labor system is unreliable
aud rernicous to the best interests of the coun-
try, and unless abolished md another system
established in it's stead will prove even more seri
Gus than we can now Imagine
W1LMINGToN, N. G., Feb. &C. 1868
10 the members ofMe
- Emigration Society" Of Wi:mugton
GENTLEMEN Your committee, to whom was
referred the subject matter Of deVising and re-
porting to an adj Jurned meeting Of your Society
plan Tor introducing labOreIs into our country,
ask leave to report that they Lave given the sub
ject much attention and reflection without ar
irving at any definite conclusion satisfactory to
themselves.
The point to accomplish, as they conceive is Ii OF
only to introduce abOrers from abroad, to fill the
vacuum i'll our sytem OF labor, but, at the same
time, to Introduce claTs or honest, industrious,
laboring people, of good standing in their own
country, who will be most likely TO make ernla-
nent, good, peaceable, and law-abiding citizens
for our country. To do this successfully we think
1T absolutely necessary, first, to provide for their
political, civil, religious and social protection and
comfort, upon this alone depends the success
OF the enterprise. This plan involves, first, the
procurement OF the passage OF such laws for their
benefit our statute books are deficient of ;
second, the sending abroad a Hell informed agent
competent and qualified to properly represent us
and our country, our aWs; climate soil, and social
condition. They must, in most cases, in all pro-
liability be furnished the means OF transportation,
with the assurance of comfortable homes and sus-
tenance for at least one year after landing. All
these things being accomplished, the enterprise
will prove Il splendid success beyond QUESTION
But let us examine this subject a little, and we
find the first obstacle which presents itself is tie
The Impoverished condition Of our people; the
absence of available means; the destruction of our
monled institutions; the utter hope!essness Of any
attempt to concentrate or associate a sufficient
amount of capita! to carry ouE tins plan, 8 amps
1t at once, as altogether impractical, with other
objection.
But there is anoth At formidable objection to this
plan, which Is, that III the present confused and
deranGed condition Of our Country, and Of our poo
pie it would be utterly Impossible TO 10 axe timely,
adequate provision tor the agreeable situations
or cOmfortabl" homes or the emlgrants-a failure
in this respect would prove disastrous to the whole
enterprise.
Your committee, therefore, with the lights be-
fore them, forced to abandon this their favor
lte scheme, for the present, and 10 recommend
for conside ration, a more simple and cheaper
though pot so perfect plan the first, but
which seems to come more within the reach of
your present capacity, which is to elect frou yOur
body, from the citizens large, for a period of
one year or longer, number of citizens Of ac-
knowledged respecta b:lIty OF character for integ
rIty, emerge lC business habits and friendly dis
position toWarlS the enterprise. clothed with au-
tnoilty to take charge OF, manage and control
all 1ts operations, a. may seem beat, in their
Judgment, for carrying out the spirit aud inten-
ton OF your Society Said = Boari ot Commits
sloners =" will he expected to appoint an agent or
Executive officer, TO be directed, governed, and
controlled by Them to be remunerated for
his services by liked salary, or by fees;
to devise tie ways aud means for oper-
ating the ente terprlse aud of directing and
managing all other matters connected with it t.
cause 10 be kept by said agent an accurate record
OF all migrants passing through his office, thor
naules- ages, occupation, nationality description
and location to provide for them while in tran
stu to establish an agency in New York or other-