Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1871-02-17
From the Baltimore Sun.
How to Procure Immigrant Labor.

From the Baltimore Sun.
How to Procure Immigrant Labor.
The emigration subject is Of great interest
In all sections of the United States, and in
none more than in Maryland and Virginia,
where the demand for farm labor is increased
by the DISCRIMINATION Of that branch of in
dustry resulting from the effects Of the civil
war, and where the climate and soil, as well
as the settled social condition, present unus-
ual attractions to intelligent and thrifty labor
ers. There can be no doubt that the tide OF
emigration from Europe will be greatly swell
ed at the close of the present war. Multi
tudcs will come from Germany. and possibly
considerable numbers from France, seeking a
better fate for their children than to be crush
ed by the burthens of taxation in countries
where population is always pressing closely
upon the means Of subsistence, and in war to
be made food for eunpowder. In Great Bril-
tain also industrious and intelligent laborers,
who speak our own language, and whose
habits make themsvery desirable settlers, are
looking with interest to Maryland and Vir-
giniA.
While combined efforts and resources by
county and State societies are important, a
great deal can be done by individual effort
The Annapolis Advertiser, in order to show
how any farmer or club of farmers can obtain
| laborers for themselves, with little effort and
at no great expense. refers to several commu-
nications published in Scotch newspapers,
written by young Scotchman settled in Vir-
einia, urging his countrymen to come to Vir.
sinia or Maryland, which he considers better
for emisrants than any other. North or South
setting forth the advantages of soil and eli
mate, and making special mention Of the per-
sonal kindness extended to !aboring emigrants
in those States. The young Scotchman &c
whom we refer is John Fletcher. He writes
from Loudon county. Va, and in bis letter
which appears in the Peoples Journal, o'
Aberdeen, Scotland, the 7th January last, be
says to his countrymen:
'There are very false impressions concern.
ing the landholders Of the Southern States
prevalent in Europe, and especially IN the
north Of Scotland They say the South ia, o'
was the land of slavery, and emigrants com.
ing here are treated as slaves; besides differ
ent other things which | need not mention
here. can say, after nearly four years ex-
! pnrio,rn IN Vi.oirio thoro nnvAr rnnre
false impression. have been through a
number Of counties in Virginia. and can say
the very opposite is the fact. In my expert
what he is in Scotland. ! never met YET
but with kind friends, and l can safely say
that met with more kindness since / came
to Virginia than could expect even 10 my
native country. The laborer is treated here
as he deserves-that Is. if he is honest and in
dustrious, he iS,,s.espected by all, both rich
and poor1aeths1 they are in tho north 81
Scotland 20 |wn upon as If they were
no BETTE axsr animals. Here it il
treat them as SUCH Now. any man wishing
t. emigrate, would desire not to heed any
such talk concerning the people "f this State.
would advise him to come to Virginia III
Maryland, as believe these two States arr
better for the laboring emigrant than any
other North aud SOUTH. could give many
reasons for this preference. The climate is
more temperate than north of Maryland OF
south of Virginia. True, it is pretty hot a.
bout two or three months in the Summer, but
very pleasant tho balance Of the year. 1t is
very healthy climate, with plenty Of good
water. The winter is very short; up to this
date we have had the most beautiful weather,
more like September than the cold December
you have in Scotland; and the labnrer does
not have to work here harder than in Scot
land, or, in my experience, FL hard, and gets.
at the lowest calculation. three times the
wages he gets there.
The publication Of these statements has
drawn large number Of letters of inquiry to
the writer from first-class farm hands in Scot
land, all anxious to come and labor 10 these
States. The Advertiser gives list Of the writ
ers Of these letters and their addresses in Scot
land, including some sixty honest fellows, ap-
| parently. 1t is believed that hundreds more
might be added by proper efforts. and these
might be relied upon to attract large numbers
hereafter. The best plan to obtain them, it is
| thought, would be t. entrust the business t.
the management of some responsible agent ON
the other side Of the Atlantic, who will not
only render valuable assistance in selecting
the men, but who will see them safely ON ship
board and notify their employers when and
| where to meet them. In view Of the compe-
titiou from land grabbers aud railways, our
farmers will have to be at some little trouble
aud expense to secure emigrant labor, and BY
so doing, it is believed, hundreds Of excellent
| men can be obtained from Scotland and else.
where who will work out the small. amount
Of $50 to $40 each required to bring them
here, and who will not demand higher wages
than our farmers are now paying for hands.
Significant Fact ON the Rum Question.
Cecil county, last year, received revenue
Of $2,910 from ninety licensed whiskey sell
Iers. And the whiskey sold by some Of these
licensed dealers caused two men to kill an
other man, and their trial and conviction cost
$500, to say nothing of other crimes. This
is simply viewing the question as matter Of
profit and loss, without taking the heinous