The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-03
Proposed State Board of Agriculture, Immi-
gfation and Statistics.

The joint committee on immigration re-
ported to the General Assembly yester-
day bill for the establishment Of a
Board of Agriculture, immigration, and
Statistics"
The bill provides that the Governor, by
and with the advice and consent of the
Senate, shall appoint some competent per-
son to be styled "thc Commissioner of
Agriculture, Immigration and Statistics.
He is to hold Office for the term of two
years from his qualification; he must reside
at the capital of the State; and is to receive
for his services salary Of three thousand
dollars per annum.
There is to be associated with said COM
missioner, to constitute the Board, the
Governor, Auditor Of Public Accounts, the
Secretary of the Commonwealth, and the
Treasurer.
The Board is required to meet at least
once month, and is to have general SUPER
vision of the business of the Board. 1t is
to report to every regular session of the
General Assembly an account of its trans
actions, and whatever may be deemed inn
portant for the information of that body and
the people Of the State in regard to its ope-
rations.
For the purpose Of facilitating the labors
of the Board and of diffusing its influence
and advantages to all parts of the Common
wealth, it is required to secure, if possible,
the appointment by the county court of
each county, or by the council or trustees
of each city or town, of one or more immi-
grafton agents for such county, city, or
town, who shall also be agents Of said
Board in procuring all such information
and transacting such business as may be
required by the Board within the limits Of
such county, city, or town. Such agents
are to be paid for their services by their re-
spective counties, cities, or towns, either by
a percentage ON all lands sold therein, or in
any other way deemed best by the author
tiles and local agents are required to con-
duct their business in accordance with the
rules and regulations prescribed by the
board.
1t will be the duty of the Board to pro-
cure trustworthy statistics and information
in regard to the population, the agricultu-
raj, mining, manufacturing, and CONNER
cial resources of the State, arranged by
counties, cities, and towns, and embracing
whatever in the judgment of SAID Board
may be necessary to proper knowledge
and appreciation of the advantages offered
by this State to persons of other States and
Of foreign countries who may desire to
to change their homes or to invest their
capital in enterprises within this Common
wealth. And it is directed to publish and
circulate such information in such manner
as the Board may deem best calculated to
reach and influence the classes sought to be
attracted to this State. All books and
maps thus published are to be sold, in rea-
sonable numbers, to any licensed real estate
agent of this State at their actual cost.
The Board is authorized to appoint a
clerk, with salary not to exceed 81 500
per annum, who Shall be charged with
the duty of keeping its records and a full
account of all its expenditures.
1t may also establish an agency in the
city of Norfolk, to have charge of any i'm
migrant depot which may be there organ
lied by said Board, acting for itself, or in
conjunction with, similar Boards of other
States, under such rules and regulation as
said Board or Boards may prescribe, in or
der to secure and protect the rights and in
terests of immigrants and settles and their
families. To aid in the support and MAIN
tenance of the depot and agency at Norfolk,
capitation tax of 81 will be imposed on
every nassenoer over the oge of twelve
wears landed from anv mort hewond the
limits Of the United states. and the master
or owner or oonspnee Of The vessel londinq
such passengers is made liable for said tax
or nnrt-dues. which NAV he recovered hv
sn;t or warrant at tha instance and in tbe
name of the Roard nr ;tS arents ot Nor.
folk. ... .
agent, which shall not exceed The sum Of
Al 800 such agent to he directly resnonsi.
| HE to said RSapd and removohla Of itS nlna.
sure, The finds arising from thc port.
dnes ore tn he Maid into tho treasury Il
the credit of the board and kent sensrate
from the appropriation to be made bv the
| General Assembly. and shall be anplied
exclusively to def:av the eynenses nf the
den6t and anv hospital connected there.
with. A register is reonired TO he ken,
bv said agent of the name apa sex and
nationality RI of all nassenpnrS 50 toYed
with tbe date of their arrival and thr
the name of the mort from which and ot
the vessel by which thew came. =
The agent. under the directions of said
Board. nav also arrange with suitable per.
sons for the accommodations and entertain.
ment of inmiprants and settlers at n,
place of landing until thev arc ready TO pro
ceed to their destination. but at the eynens,
of such immigrants and settlers. every pre-