The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-04-09
The Cause of Immjdration.

We have received circular from Maj. F.
Melchers, of Charleston, who was appointed
by the recent Taxpayers Convention as State
Commissioner of immigration, in which he
urges the Importance of speedy and concerted
action to promote the object in view, namely,
to people the State with an homes, industrious
and thrifty class of immigrants, who will be-
come identified with the fortunes Of the State,
and assist to build up our waste places and de-
velop the latent resources of this section.
Mai. Melchers announces that he has complete
assurances of bringing ten thousand families
to South Carolina before next winter, it ne can
secure $4,000 in cash subscriptions and a
donation of fifty thousand acres of land Ihe
people in the middle and lower country are
moving to his assistance, and already large
donations of land have been made to secure
the presence of skilled and experienced labor
ers in their midst Others are offering lands
at very low prices, but the movement should
be general and widespread, 80 that the immi'
grant may have choice of locality.
The action of the public meeting at this
place on Monday last was to further the plan
set on foot by the Taxpayers Convention, and
we think the meeting acted judiciously IN
selecting B. F. Crayton, Esq, as the County
Commissioner of immigration, as we feel as
sured that he will devote his acknowledged
energies to perfecting the scheme. The gen
tlemen selected to cooperate with him will
represent every portion of Anderson County,
and there is no reason for disbelieving or doubt
ing the prospect of good results. We believe
that no County in this State possesses greater
advantages or more solid attractions than An
derson County, and hence the necessity tor
organizing in such manner as will truthfully,
fairly and impartially send forth to the world
a lust estimate of our advantages and resources
There is abundant room for double and treble
its present population, and the introduction OF
an industrious and energetic class OF imml-
grants, who are to become permanent citizens
of the soil, will largely tend to improve the
character and stability of those now occupying
the place of laborers. No harm can ensue to
any CLASS Ol OuI ptopio, e1Ho VIZ "o
the stranger from whatever quarter of the globe
as an auxiliary in developing the fertile lands
now lying idle and proftless.
The duties devolving upon the County Com
missioners of immigration are clearly defined
in the annexed resolution, which was adop-
ted by the Taxpayers Convention:
Resolved, That it shall be the duty OF the
County Commissioners of immigration to as IS
certain from the land owners of the County
what lands are to be sold or given away, as the
case may be, and if for sale, on what terms
and to take down and procure for reference an
report the same, from time to time, to the Com
missioner for the State at large, so that when
immigrants arrive in the County they may a. at
once be provided for. 1t shall also be his duty
to collect such contributions in money from
the citizens for the promotion of the cause o.
immigration, as they may be willing eoss to con n
the Commissioner for the State at large, taking
his receipt for the same.