Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-12-12
IMMIGRATION.

IMMIGRATION.
In my. last annual message I discuss
ed, at some length, the subject of i'm
migration, and / desire respectfully to
cal your attention to the views therein
expressed, and the suggestion made
Private enterprise has been commenda
by active during the past year in in
dacing immigration to our State. but
the sum total Of results accomplished
has beeu slight indeed when compared
with our wants and necessities. Pri-
yate enterprise alone, and unaided bv
state action, can never accomplish
large resu is. The two should 90 hand
Ia hand, mutually aiding each other
Three things are absolutely essential
to success in this behalf, viz: accurate
Information, ready and cheap trasporta-
ton and facilities for the prompt ac-
QUESTION Of homes by the immigrants
on arrival here, at fair. and reasonable
prices. We. already have q line Of
steamers plying between Liverpool and
Norfolk, which during the past year
has landed at Norfolk over one thons-
and Immigrants of the character needed
to purchase and develop our idle and
uncutivated lands This enterprise de-
serves encouragement and know ofno
mode which will better accomplish that
| END, or confer more lasting benefits uD-
on the State, than the organization and
successful operation of a,thorough and
practical system of immigration Such
system ought not to be either burden
some CT cumbrous, and should be such
as to exclude from our borders pauper
immigrants and condemned criminals.
The preparation and publication by
state authority of proper statistics and
information of our condition. and the
almost innumorable advantages we 4oss-
ess Tor the immigrant, would he f vast
benefit, and would contribute largely to
the success Of local and private immigra-
ton enterprises. The Allan line of
ocean steamers, together with our rail
roads, will afford the means of tranpor-
tatlon to the immigrant, upon as advan-
tageous terms as any Of the great lines
centering at New York. The other
essential mentioned, viz: such provision
as will enable the immigrant, on arrival
here, to promptly purchase, at a fair and
reasonable price, suitable home
without delay or difficulty, will be found
more diffiep t of; Accomplishment. And
yet no immigration scheme can be sue
cessiul to any oonside:ab. 6; degree with
out it. Herein, and in this particular
only, the West, with its government
lands, and the ease with which lands
are transferred from che to another.
possesses q decided advantage over us
am satisfied, however, that a plan
can be adopted which, even in this re-
spect, VII SHIT this advantage in our
favor. L have sid nothing as to the
necessities Of immigration. They are
so plain and palpahle that it would seem
almost an insult to the intelligence of
our people to discuss them. take it for
granted that we all appreciate its lmpor-
nee, AID that the only branch C1 tie
subject open for discussion is as to the
best means to be adopted to secure it.
| earnestly commend the subject to
: ONti SbtifHitiIi attOli
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
Most of our railways have increased
during the past year in excellence OF
management and material, and in bust
Ness. The y exandria and i'reGericks-
burg road has been completed, thus
connecting Richmond with Washington
by an all rail- line. The Grange,
| alexandria and A:aaas$:is road hiss pur-
chased The stock held by the State
therein, ans! paid for it At par in State
BOMBS. ;.n informed that this c, II
pany hiss constituted with tie I-yrvh-
burg and Danv IL Company, and is
pushing forward the wolk upon the
latter with great energy. and vi pro
badly complete this valuable improve
ment within the Eext twelve months.
Nor are these the on y comnlendable
acts If this company. it has wisely
inaugurated tie plan Of purchasing tic
marketable lands along its line, with tbs
view Of dividing them up into small
farms and setting thereon industrious
and thrifty immigrants. thus adding
materia'lyto the wealth and Develop
nent OF the sections Of thc State through
which it passes, and securing the even
tllal large increase OF it's 'ccal business.
This is a wise policy, beneficial ike to
the company and the State, and should
be 6 al to see it adopted by all oul
railroad companies
The Richmond and Danyille Rail
road Company has also purchased apo
! paid for at par in State bonds the stock
held by the State in that company. This
company is rebuilding the road from
keysville to Clarksviile and | am in
formed that it has also leased the Norti
Caro- ina Rairaad, nd is cxtendirg it
! Is by the bl / d ng Of 250 niles of new
road from Charlotte, NC, TO Atlanta Ga.
and it is confidently expected that with
i'll the next six months direcf raiIwa,
communication between Richmond and
Atlanta will be established by this line
When these new roads are completed.
the Richmond and Danvile Company
will have under its control mere miles
OF railway than any other company On
the State, and the Importance of this
line, with its branches and connexions,
to the C mmerce md develornent Of
our Site vii be INN Ell e { will drain
INTO the Lap ct Virginia the surplus
products Of q vast section CT the richest
and most productive portion Of the
South,
GILAERr C. WALKER.
4LEI1 NDRIJ NIHkE7'S