Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-12-15

advantageous terms, all things considered
as can be offered them in any portion of the
country. With proper organization and
effort am satisfied that we can successfully
accomplish all this. 5
| Already semi-monthly line ct first class
steamers has been established between Liv-
erpool and Norfolk-experimental at pre-.
sent, but to be MAIDS permanent if reasona.
bly, successful We can make it an assured
success with successful immigration. Thus
can be secured the transportation of iumi-
grants from Europe to'our own shores at the
same rates as to New York
From Norfolk to all portions Of the State
our railroads will afford equal facilities for
transportation, and at as low or lower rates
than can be obtained elsewhere. But we
have no public lands to offer them for homes
at Government prices, and we have no or
ganized system for the care and protection
of the immigrants until they are settled in
their new homes, HAAS
We have an abundance of rich and acces.
sible lands for sale, and at prices much be-
low the average cost of Western or Govern
ment lands when the salubrity and health
| luluCSS I'll OuT CuIudto, uodAuOoo W AAoinS',
and cheapness and facilities for transporta-
ton. are taken into the account. But these
lands are owned by private citizens, each of
whom entertains his own peculiar views as
to price, terms, and conditions Of sale and
payment and these lands are scattered over
the entire Commonwealth, and must be
sought out by the immigrant at the expense
of much time, trouble, and money. This
cannot and will not be done by the immi-
grant, especially those who neither under
stand nor speak our language. Some plan
must be devised by which this can be avoid
ed, and by which the immigrant on his ar
rival will be properly cared for, protected,
and aided, until he is finally settled. In
submitting for your consideration such a plan
as, after mature deliberation, I consider
feasible, desire to say that if better one
can be devised shall be but too anxious to
futher its adoption and execution in every
way in my power.
The plan which I would recommend for
adoption, briefly stated, contemplates
First. The organization at the capital Of
bureau of immigration under the control Of
a board of nine directors, to be chosen one
from each congressional district and one
from the State at large, who shall be presi-
dent of the board and commissioner of immi-
grafton. and who shall be clothed with am
pie powers and have the entire control and
management Of the affairs Of the bureau, un-
der, the advice of the board of directors,
and to be paid salary commensurate with
the duties to be performed and the ability
required The other members Of the board
to receive no compensation, but to have
their expenses paid which are necessarily in
Cured in the discharge Of their official du-
ties.
Second. The establishment in Europe by
the commissioner of one or more agencies,
at reasonable compensation, for the pur-
pose Of organizing and furthering immi gra-
ton by the dissemination Of correct Informal
ton of the advantages and inducements we
offer to the immigrant, and the means by
which we propose to facilitate his settlement
in our State, and by all other suitable and
proper means most conducive to the accom-.
plishment of that object.
Third The establishment at Norfolk of a
depot to receive the immigrants when they
land and to attend to their transhipment to
their various destinations in the State, and
to employ in each county and city local
agent for their reception. care, and assis-
lance, until they are settled or can care for
themselves
Fourth. The preparation and publication,
forthwith, by the commissioner, Of pamph-
let for distribution at the North and in Eu-
rope, giving all the facts, statistics, and ill.,
formation necessary to impart full under
standing Of our commercial, agricultural,
manufacturing, aud climate advantages and
mineral resources, and the means We have
adopted to aid, facilitate, and secure immi-
grafton.
Fifth. Authority vested in the commits
sioner to act as the attorney or agent of
owners of lands in the State, under proper
ly executed powers of attorney, irrevocable
except by consent of the commissioner, for
the sale and tranfer Of such lands to immi-
grants The conditions upon which he is
authorized to act in such capacity (among
others that he may deem necessarily being
that the lands shall be surveyed by an Off
cial surveyor and mapped SO as to show the
general topography Of the lands, the springs,
water-courses, and roads thereon, the wild
and cultivated portions thereof, together
with an analysis Of the soils aud the miner.
al deposits the expenses of all which to be
charged against the lands and deducted from
the proceeds Of the sale when made and
there shall also be deducted from the pro-
ceeds of the sale a small commission, say
two and half per cent upon the sum for
which the property is sold, to be used in
defraying the expenses Of the bureau The
commissioner to keep an accurate account Of
all sales, and to undertake the sale Of no
lands at prices above what he deems fair and
reasonable, and to give a suitable bond for
the faithful performance Of his duties.
This is very plain, but, I believe, prac-
tical and bpsiness-like scheme, and if prompt
ly embodied in suitable law, whose execu-
ton shall be confded to suitable hands,
with an appropriation sufficient for its sue
cessful Inauguration, will enable US to sur
mount all difficulties and bring to our State
in great numbers that desirable class of i'm.
migrants needed to purchase and develop
our unoccupied lands, to open up our vast
mineral deposits, and to utilize our unequal.
led manufacturing advantages. 1t is in.
tended and expected that the bureau will be
self sustaining so soon as it shall get into
successful operation; but it must be aided
at the commencement, and | trust that the
General Assembly will not hesitate mo-
ment in making liberal appropriation for
this purpose. No better investment of the
; peoples money could be made, and none
: from which so ample return could be real
lied. But no matter how superior may be
the plan adopted, nor how ample the appro