The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-12-06


"a; Crane 10; all Republicans.
For first doorkecper, Col. Taylor, Of
Loudoun, nominated Col. John Minor; Mr..
Graham nominated O. H. Russell, of Rich
mond, and the result of the vote was,
Minor, %; Russell, s; all Republicans.
For second doorkeeper, the names of
Abram Hall (col'd CON- and w. ID. Berk-
ley (Rep.) were put in nomination, and the
vote resulted in the election of IIall-23 to
10.
All of these officers were formally noti-
fled Of their election.
The Chair announced that the Senate
had now completed its organization.
On motion of Mr.. Anderson, of Pittsyl-
vania, the standing rules of the last Senate
were adopted for the government of this
body.
Mr.. Daniel, from the House of Dele
gates, communicated to the Senate the fact
that his House had organized and was
ready to proceed to business. Mr.. Now
lin was instructed to make like commu-
ncation to the House on the part of the
Senate.
The Governors Message having been re-
ceiyed at the hour of closing our report, it
was being read by the clerk.
Governors Message.
Governor Walkers message was sent to
the Legislature to-day. The message is
quite lengthy, and we are unable to give
any but the material points to-day:
IMMIGRATION.
The great need of Virginia to-day is
capital and population. With an area of
"a, ,5l2,0 900 acres, unequalled in richness and
variety of soil and productions, capable of
sustaining population of five millions,
with more mineral wealth and greater ma
tural commercial and manufacturing facili-
ties than any of her sister Atlantic States,
she yet has a population of but one and a
quarter millions, and but s, 900 acres
under cultivation. Her vast mineral wealth
is almost wholly undeyeloped, and her
great manufacturing and commercial adj
vantages have been but little utilized.
Situated, as our State is, midway between
the northern and southern portions of the
Union, with a climate unequalled, and with
all these natural elements of wealth and
prosperity in bounteoiis sprofusion, how is
it that Virginia is to-day the tenth instead
of the first State in population, and the
twelfth in wealth? Theeauses which have
produced this result are not difficult of as
certainment, and it is not necessary now to
discuss them.
The question rather for our immediate
consideration is not SO much the cause OF
the evil as the remedy for it. The remedy
for that which is to place Virginia in
the position which her advantages entitle
her to occupy-is to be found in a system
of immigration which will attract to her
territory population that will develope
those natural resources and superior advan-
tages with which nature has endowed her.
Much discussion has occurred upon this SUBJ
iect, and many plans have been suggested,
together with,some abortive attempts at ex-
ecution. To fully understand the require
ments necessary to success, we must clear
ly comprehend the conditions to be met
In the first place, we must place ourselves
in position to successfully compete with
all systems and combinations now in ac-
tive operation. Heretofore the tide OF inn
migration has set westward, and as a con-
sequence large and prosperous cities have
sprung up as if by mage, and great States
have been formed, filled with an energetic,
prosperous, and progressive people. This
immigration has been been induced and
controlled by a combination of the great
railroad, steamship, and monled corpora
tions at the North and Europe, exerting a
powerful influence abroad, and securing
cheap and fertile lands together with rea
sonable and rapid transportation here.
These instrumentalities and inducements
we must equal or exceed if we expect tC
successfully compete with them. Venus
have thoroughly organized system o
agencies abroad for the diffusion of accurate
| information and the management OF th'
| business there.
We must transport the immigrant from
Europe to our shores and overland a
cheaply and expeditiously as is done at tn
north, and the immigrants must be as wei
cared for and protected here as there; am
lastly, we must secure homes for them up
| on as advantageous terms, all things con
sidered, as can be offered them in any por
ton of the country. With proper organiza
ton and effort am satisfied that we ca
successfully accomplish all this.
i Already a semi-monthly line of first
class steamers has been established betwee
Liverpool and Norfolk, experimental 6
present, but to be made permanent If rei
sonably successful. We can make 1t a
assured success with successful immigr;
ton. Thus can be secured the transports
ton of immigrants from Europe to OF
own shores at the same rates as to Ne
York.
From Norfolk, to all portions of tt
State, our railroads will afford equal facll
ties for transportation, and at as low
lower rates than can be obtained elsewher
But we have no public lands to offer the
for homes at government prices, and v
have no organized system for the care al
protection of the immigrants until they a
settled in their new homes.
, We have an abundance of rich and acce
f sible lands for sale, and at prices much b
low the average cost of Western or COVER
ernment lands when the salubrity a.
: healthfulness of our climate, nearness
: market and cheapness and facilities 4
: Transportation are taken into the accoui
But these lands are owned by private ci
q zens, each Of whom entertains his own |
( culiar views as to price, terms and con-
i tons of sale and payment, and these Ian
are scattered over the entire Commonweal
. . and must be sought out by the immigra
q at the expense of much time, trouble a
money. This cannot and will not be dc
> by the immigrant, especially those W
neither understand nor speak our langua,
/ Co.,,, ,,l.,,, ,o,,ct ba davicad NV which 4