New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-03-02
TaE ImmIGRArION CONVENTION.


Western and Mie0l6olppl Valloy OtS'es' n1o0
Yesterday at the hall of the Chamber OF
Commerce. It was called to order ct noon
BY Judge J. II. Kennard, of Louisiana
Judge Kennard briefly explained the OBJ
iect Of the convention, as follows:
Gent,emen-The executive committee,
charged by our Chamber of Commerce with
making the necessary arrangements for this
convention, have assigned me the duty OF
calling the convention to order, and making |
q brief explanation of it's objects.
The urgent necessity 1o- more vigorous |
cooperation between tho Southern and |
Western States, in enc Duraging fore ign I'M
migration via New Orleans, has long been
State. They have been convinced by !
actual experience on email scale
that this route is equally healthy, more
economical and much more comfOrta-
BILE to the immigrant than any of the trav-
eled routes from EulOpe.
They were melted to this particular move
ment at this time and place by a suggestion
from Governor Garland. of Arkansas, which
met a cordial response from our owp pc opie,
and, as appears By the number and character
Of this asse M bl age, one equally cordial from
the other fftet States invited to cooper
ate.
The people of this city and State bid you
a most cord, a, welcome. They believe sim
cerely that the proper execution of plans
which ehall be adopted by this convention
to carry forward Southern and Western
immigration will speedily place New Or,
leans and all the cities and States on and
near the Mississippi and other great con-
Meeting rivers, where they rightly belong.
side BY side in the rece OF material progress
with the other great cities and States OF the
country. What is the main impeachment to
io1 Il mt
In soil and climate we are favored above
any people on earth In n ttural advan-
tages OF communication with the outside
world, second to none OF our sister States
What, then, is our present pressing neeC!
More and better skilled labor. Thousands
and tens OF thousands Of acres OF our most
fertile cleared lands are to-day unoccupled
and untitled. The growth OF cotton on
lands ROW open, with proper cultivation
aud fertilizirg, can be doubled in ten years
Sugar is in its infancy. The increase in
these great staples increases our buying
capacities and demands Increased produc-
ton from the Western States, which VIII
come freely with more immigrants.
We believe the immediate future is big
with events connected with the material de-
veIopment of the West and South which
have had no parallel in any era OF the ma
ton q existence. We count it a certainty
that within twelvemonth from this date
the giants of the sea will go hence I'M
fretted BY the shoals and bars that haze SO
long yexed Us; that the Great Easterns of
the world will enter the mouth of this
mighty river without scratch and anchor
at our wharf in d larbor second 20 none in
the world.
We have equal faith, despite the pruden-
tial, economical fits of the government.
that the sound business sense OF the nation
Will enable Us within tive Years TO shake
hands with our friends in San Diego on
the Pacific coast.
In view Of these and other most encourag-
ing features Of the present situation. We re-
gard the time and place OF this meeting as
most auspicIous.
A calm discussion of the advantages of
fered by the Mississippi route will, beyond
doubt, inura to our benefi- aud TO the
millions vet to seek refuge from tyranny
and want in the Ola World, on this CONT
nent.
TIE special subjects which will engage
your attention during these sitings are
blith enumerated in the published call.
To these will lie added such others as in
your wisdom are deemed important and ex
pedient.
Judge Kenn ard then announced as tenn
porary chairman of the convention, John
q. LATTE, Esq. Of New Orleans, ard Julian
Van Voorhies, Of Cincinnati, as secretary.
Mr.. LATTE, on taking the chair, said:
GentIemen-I return you my sincere
thaIks for the honor you have conferred
upon me by calling me to the chair.
NV mex perienCe in such matters would
prompt me to decline the responsibility OF
the position, did not feel sure that I could
rely alike upon your kind Indulgence and
upon the prevalence Of spirit OF harmony,
| which will render my duties easy OF per-
| fOrmaucs.
After listening to the eloquent remarks
| Of Judge Kennard. deem 1t unnecessary
! to cetain YOU with any comments OF my
own, except to emphasize HE suggestion
| that special attention should DO given to
| tie Importance Of attracting to cur midst
| skilled labor.
| The mineral resources OF many OF the
| States represented in this convention are
| scarcely inferior to their agricultural al
| vantages, and yet. while we SUPPLY 80 large
| proportion of the leading articles OF con-
| merce that the entire failure Of our crop for
| single season would be productive of dis
| astrous results in almost every civilized
country, and reduce hundreds of thousands
| to the verge OF starvation, our mineral re-
sources, owing mainly to the lack of skilled
| labor, remain almost entirely undevelOped
| Gentlemen, now call tie convention to
| order, anu announce that this body Being
ready to perfect its organization, the first
| measure necessary to be adopted is The ap-
pointuent of q committee on credentials.
On notion of Ex-Governor Charles An
dersol. of Kentucky. it was voted that a
committee of one from each State be ap-
pointed to devise, methodize and report to
the convention its proper business and pro-
cedure.
The Rev. A. K. Winfield, Of Arkansas,
| offered resolution that committee on
credentials Of one from each delegation be
appointed, said committee to be appointed
by each delegation. which was adopted
The following named gentlemen were
| then appointed a committee On credentials.
t. H. Ryland, of Louisiana; E. NJ. Ruck-
| er, of Georgia; II. Musgrove, Of MISSISSIPPI
pi; z. West, of Arkansas Isaac LyttOn, of
Tennessee; w. w. Baldwin, Of Kentucky;
Andrew Mcdowell, Of Missouri; Enos Tur-
| ner, Of Illinois; L. Levi, of Ohio; S. S. Har-
vey, Of Florida: A. A. Avery, of Wiscon-
sin; S. j. Harrington, of Alabama; A. Il.
Smedley, of Iowa.
On motion of Mr.. W. II. H. Russell, of
Missouri, recess to give time to the CON-
mittee on credentials to make it's report,
was ordered.
On reassembling the committee on Gre.
dentials reported the following named gen
tlemen as being duly accredited delegates:
Arkansae-A. r. Winfield, Jordan f.
Cravens, F. Downs, E. West, f. B. Mills,
James NJ. Pomeroy, b. S. johnson, w. A.
Aber, j. T. Brown, Jr., G. A. Karweise, j.
M. Hanks, G. w. Blackwell. A. M. Crow,
| G. M. Hervey, J. M. Pace, William Whit
| field, Charles Carlyle. John +. Jones.
| Alabama-John G. Reid, DR.. H. Bethea,
| Captain Joseph Selden, S. j. Harrington,
/ w 1T Walthall .Insenh GnAHler Cantain