The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-02-11
PETERsBURG LETTER.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thereon.
PETERSBURG, February 10.

PETERSBURG, February 10.
To the Editor Of The State Journal:
You are enthusiastic over the subject O
immigration. You and | see no hope fol
the state excepting through the introduc
ton of capital and people from abroad
10 build up our waste places, infuse new
lie and prosperity into our languishing
cities, increase our manufactures, enlarge
our commerce, immigration is the first great
requisite. Having the natural advantages,
oil that is necessary to secure this desira-
bic end is the manifestation of liberal
spirit on the part of our people. These
reflections are caused by perusing section
OF the proposed new charter for our city.
Powers are given to the city council
thusly: I,aI ~ flgj
"XXVI. To prevent the coming into the
city, from beyond the limits of the state, of
persons having no ostensible means Of sup.
port, or of persons who may be dangerous
to the peace and safety of the city and for
this purpose may require any railroad COM
pany, or the captain or master of any vessel
bringing such passengers to Petersburg, to
enter into bonds with satisfactory security,
that such persons shall not become chargea-
BILE to the city for one year, or may COM
pei such company, captain or master to
take them back from whence they came,
and compel the persons to leave the city if
they have not been in the city, more than
thirty days before the order is given.n
How encouraging such an enactment
would be to Colonel William Lamb, the
agent of the Allan line of steamers, who is
much interested in bringing foreign emf
grants to Eastern Virginia. Should any
one from q sister state desire to enter
Petersburg, he would first have to deliver
up his goods and chattels' to the authori-
ties who, after making political inventory
thereof, would decide whether he had any
"ostensible means Of support"
Such o wholesome enactment would
have kept Gray out of Boston, Girard out
Philadelphia, Astor out of New York, Pea
body out Of Baltimore, Franklin Stearns
out of Richmond, and Wygan and Ragland
out of Petersburg. ai
Take to-day the great majority Of our
wealthy merchants in our great cities and
inquire into their early history when they
first entered into active life and it will be
found that they had no ostensible means Of
They throug our streets to-day
and are the reliable financiers of whom we
are proud.
Look at some of our great journalists
Greeley entered New York with days
rations and clothes tied in handk erchief
mot very ostensible support for a wear
Bennett and Raymond, and nearly every
other master spirit of the age commenced
life with no '.ostensible" means of support,
but strong muscles and active brains are
the greatest and safest reliance.
Our Saviour took neither purse nor
scrip for his journey. He had no ostensibls
means of support. l mention it reverently;
but he would not be tolerated under Com
rule in Petersburg over night.
Our Conservative politicians would have
called out to the railroad companies,
"a,oay aoah him !" s
But this is specimen of proposed
charter which is to relieve Petersburg
from the rule of a majority of the citizens.
Majorities are dangerous to the personal
ends and aims of selfshness. Now we
would advise our friends to go step fur
Their and remove from the city all who
have not ostensible means of support"
We opine that Petersburg will then get rid
Of the author of the charter and one-half
of those who are especially blatant in its
support. CocKADE.