Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-12-19
Staunton Spettatur.
Tuesday, December 10, 1871.
immigration Convention.


immigration Convention.
An immigration convention composed of
gentlemen representing all portions of the
State, assembled at the Exchange Hotel, in
Richmond, on Tuesday last, the 18th inst
The meeting was called to order by j. Ell.
Cochran. ESQ.,, of Abemarle, on whose mo-
ton Mr.. Chas W. Button, of Lynchburg, was
called to the chair, who said that the meeting
had been called to discuss a matter of para
mount interest to Virginia. He believed that
the time was propitious, and thought that
great good might result from it. He thought
it a great mistake to think that paupers would
immigrate to Virginia, but that the accessions
to our population would be of character that
would result in great good.
On motion of Maj. G. W. Grice, of Ports
mouth, committee of FIVE was appointed on
permanent organization.
The Chair appointed the following gentle
men: Maj g. w. Grice, of Portsmouth
Judge Asa D. Dickinson, of Prince Edward
Col. W. D. Hart, of Abemarle Mai. Green,
of Alexandria; and Col. W. T. Poague, Of
Rockbridge.
After brief absence the committee returned
and reported the following as the result of their
labors:
For President. Hon. A. Fl. Fl. Stuart, Of
Augusta; Presidents, Hon. q. L. Mon
tague, of Middlesex Gen. w. G. Wickham,
Of HANOVER Gen. William Malone, of Lynch
burg Col. A. S. Buford of Richmond +; Col.
VIM. Lamb, of Norfolk Hon. Jno. S. Bar
bour, of Alexandra; Maj. r. w. Hunter, OF
Frederick Col Thos S. Fournoy, of Dan
vile Fred Scott, ESQ, Of Petersburg; Col
Chas. K. Mallory, of Elizabeth City; Jos. f.
Cloyd, Of Pulaski; Secretaries. Colonel j. T.
Shanks, of Norfolk, and all the members of
the press present.
The temporary chairman appointed Colonel,
Hubba.d and Hart committee to escort the
President to his seat. Mr.. Stuart, upon taking
the chair, was greeted with cheers. He ex-
pressed the deepest sympathy and interest in
the objects Of the present convention.
With soil of remarkable fertility, and a
climate of unrivalled salubrity, he said, we
have enjoyed none of the benefits of them, be-
cause Of the demoralized condition of our social
system and our labor.
The great need of the State he conceived to
be both labor and capital. The experience of
years has demonstrated that with our large
landed estates there is no prosperity for us.
and that to promote it we must bring intei-
gent foreigners among US to help US build up
our State and cultivate cur lands. He hoped
that one of the results of this meeting would
be to induce the Legislature and the people to
cooperate heartily with the Governor in car
O,,tfb a nd 1a%1 ~
his message. He believed that bright future
was in store for Virginia. and the signs of it
were already visible.
Those internal improvements which he had
so long anticipated in vain were at last becom-
ing real and tangible institutions. He alluded
to the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad and the
benefits it was destined to confer upon this city
as well as upon the State at large He wished
that the people could be brought to realize that
in assisting to build up Richmond they, by a
sort of reflective action, build up the State at
large. For an instance, if 10, 900 are added to
the population Of Richmond, the taxes of the
rural districts are proportionately reduced.
At the close of the presidents address Col
Onel Hubbard moved that committee of ten
be appointed to prepare business for the meet
ing.
The motion was carried, and the chair ap-
pointed the following committee :
Col. E. w. Hubbard, Col A. Ordway. DR..
Jno. L. Raylor, Judge Geo. Blow, of Norfolk,
Lieutenant Governor Marye, Maj. Jed. Hotch-
kiss, Maj. 2. B. holland, w. A. Stuart, Fay
cite McMullen and Maj. A. I. Robertson.
During the retirement of the Committee on
Business, the convention was addressed by the
following gentlemen. all Engiishmen by birth
except the last
Rev. Mr.. Saunders, of Norfolk Mr.. Waugh
an, of Albemarle Rev. Mr.. Greer, of Char
lotte; Mr.. Ayres, of Albemarle Mr.. Rose,
of Lunenburg; Mr.. j. A. H. st. Andrew,
Vice-President Of the Virginia Immigration
Society; Mr.. Mitchell, of Orange, and Mr.
Ragland, of Halifax.
The Committee on Business having asked to
have time till the next morning to report, on
motion the convention adjourned to meet at
the same place the next morning at 10 O clock.
On assembling the next morning, pursuant
to adjournment, the Committee on Business,
through Lieut-Gov. Marye. presented the fol-
lowing Report:
l. The Legislature of Virginia should cause
to be prepared, published and disseminated,
under its authority and supervision, accurate
and full descriptions Of the physical clements
and adaptations Of the State of its internal
improvements and communications its com
merclal accessibility its political and social
condition; together with all such information
in detail as is needed by all classes of people
disposed to seek homes or employ their means
in Virginia.
2. ln order to do this work, the Legislature
should constitute such executive agents to per-
form 1t as are competent therefor, and this
meeting leaves to the Legislature to prescribe
the plan OF such board, which, In the judg-
ment OF this meeting, need not exceed three or
four members, and should be SO constituted as
to represent faithfully all the territorial and
material interests Of the Commonwealth. This
board could intelligently investigate and adopt
such other aids to Immigration as it found prac-
tically available. This meeting feels assured
that as much as thirty thousand dollars should
be appropriated by the Legislature, and may
be wisely and efficiently supplied in said direc-
ton.
3. The Legislature should by its enactments,
extend all needtul protection to immigrants,
and fostering policy toward capital disposed
to embark IN the physical development of the
State.
4. The railroads CT Virginia should lend
their valuable aid IN cooperation with the State,
IN facilitating the influx Of capital and efficient
labor, and IN encouraging the same when intro
duced and both the railroads and the State
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