Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-04
IMMIGRATION THOUGHTS.
Suggestions by a Wide Awake Citizen
Letter from Peter Staub, ESQ.,, to the
State Commissioners Of
Immigration.

To the Honorable Board OF the Commissioners
of the State of Tennessee:
The excitement naturally produced on
the minds Of every citizen by the late cleo
tions, both national and State, having sub
sided and political issues for the present at
rest, deem it a proper time for our people
TO turn their attention TO their local affairs,
to the advancement OF the prosperity and
material welfare of their State. You will
therefore pardon my liberty Of addressing
few suggestions to your honorable body in
regard 20 the a0sorbiDg topic of Immigrz-
tion.
Il is hardly necessary for me to point out
the advantages arising from the influx of
an industrious population on large scale,
but against the enemies of this measure,
would PROFOUND Just one question: What
would be the result if sil those residing
smOpg us who came from other States or
countries were to leave the Stat? And
again, Ii their number should be doubled?
Much has been done in the way of speak
ing and printing on this subject, but, desir-
able as it is to enlist the inestimable aid of
the public press in its behalf, the thing most
wanted is action, work. I would, therefore,
respectfully propose to your body the fol-
lowing feasible and practical plan, which if
it, either whole or 10 part, meets with your
appreciation, you may propose TO our next
LEGISLATURE 10 be acted upon:
/. Let the State procure one-fouTth or
oae-half million acres of arabic land, to
be set apart for the sole and exclusive pur-
pose of immigration.
2, TIE acquisition of the land could be
easily CD aimed, partly from that owned by
the State, partly by donations from friends
Of the cause, and by purchase on long
credit.
3. The land should be in tracts of 2 TO
5000 acres, subdivided in sections of 60
acres, OF which every alternate section be
donsted TO bona f3e settler, under such
conditions as the State may prescribe, the
other section to be retained by the State.
4 Every male immigrant of the age of
81, and everg widow with one or more
boys, should be entitled to one section of
60 acres.
8. The State is to warrant the title to
the settler, but the latter to pay all costs
of surveying, etc, as designated by the
State.
6. All products of manufacture to be
exempt from tax 3tion for the term of ten
years, as far as the authority Of the State
reaches.
Z. The object of large tracts is to facili-
tate cooperation and mutual assistance on
The part Of the settlers.
8. The State may enter into negotiations
with bodies desiring to establish comment
ties or settlements in a body.
9. The sections reserved by the State
viii in time more than compensate for all
oulays and disbursements by the State.
In order to carry out this plan an sppro-
priaii0n by the Legislature is requisite for
Ehe purchase of land, compensation of COM
missioners, separate agent, etc, but which
viii tend TO the advancement and prosperi-
ty of our beloved State, and prove great
souTce Of revenue in the not distant future,
Respectfully submitted by, yours truly,
PETER STAUB.
KNOXVILLE. NcY. 30. 1872.