The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-02-16
Immigration.


10 the Editors of the Dispatch:
Sirs,-Your Washington correspondent
recently referred to letter which United
States-Senator Johnston has addressed to
me. Recognizing your long-tried sympathy
with the cause Of immigration, shall be
clad il YOU will kindly give publicity to
Senator Johnston's views. The following
is copy of the letter:
..USITED STATES SENATE CHAMBER,
February 2, 1878.
"-Mr. 81. Andreu:
"knowing that you have studied the
subject of immigration, and take great in
terest in it, venture to call your attention,
and through your paper that Of the railroad
officials, the press, and the people Of the
State to an important matter.
"You have no doubt been informed that
took tour to Pennsylvania, in October
last, to deliver public addresses, in order to
bring my State-as to which I knew much
ignorance overwhelmingly to the knowl-
edge OF people who desired to change their
residences aud were looking out for new
homes. am both surprised and pleased at
the result OF the expedition. Large and in
terested crowds came to hear me, and in the
main the comments Of the press were favor
able. believe in this way much good can
be accomplished, and whenever, without
neglecting my public duties, can do so,
intend to undertake another expedition and
to 60 to both Pennsylvania and New York. /
have received many letters OF inquiry from
the North and from England, but the great
trouble with us is lack Of organization. I
was constantly asked about the fare
on the railroads, the facilities OF
travel, dc. To these inquiries | could give
no very satisfactory answers, but they in
duced me to open communications on the
subject with the railroads leading north
from Virginia for the purpose OF ascertain
ing whether they would cooperate with the
Virginia railroads in some arrangement to
facilitate and cheaper travel to persons eX-
ploring the State with a view to settlement
and to actual Immigrants. / received q
favorable answer from Colonel Thomas A.
Scott, and was called upon in person by
officials of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
and the Northern Central railroad, both Of
whom assured me OF the readiness OF their
companies to cooperate; but they thought
that the first action should be taken by the
Virginia railroads and some plan proposed
by them. This / think only reasonable.
GAS an evidence of the feeling OF strong
interest in the North in favor OF immigra-
ton to Virginia, will here mention that
thu, Cunard line OF steamers has conveyed
an invitation to me to transport me free OF
charge across the ocean and back If should
desire TO visit England to endeavor to pro-
NV State which you have done SO much to
deVelope. 49,
"sThere is, however, one thing I was both
surprised and sorry to hear. If people
want to leave Virginia they can get railroad
tickets at reduced rates, but il they want to
come to Virginia they must pay full rates.
That this is so (if it is so) is doubtless owing
to the fact that the managers OF the rail-
roads in Virginia have not had their atten-
ton very specially called to the subject.
What is needed is a ticket at reduced rates,
good ON all the railroads IN Virginia for a
specified time-long enough to give an in
tending purchaser OF land time to look
fairly around. Similar privileges should
also be extended actual settlers, their fami-
lies aud goods.
81 think that the railroads have men,
toned would join in such a ticket and
make it good in connection with Virginia
lines from important points in the North.
am quite satisfied that IL this were done
many people would be brought to our State
who would otherwise never see her bor-
ders.
"A part Of the plan ought to be the estab-
lishment in Washington Of a general agency
where people could apply for and get in
formation as to- the State generally.
Yours, very truly,
.sJoHN w. JOHNSTON"
the Dispatch that its valuable suggestions
may reach wider circle of readers than
could hope to give them through my own pa
per. At the same time, wish to express my
opinion, based on extensive practical expe-
rience in connection with immigration, that
Senator Johnston is exactly right as to the
necessity for cheaper railroad fares to Vir-
ginia. 1t is fortunate for the State that we
have i'm Colonel Carter an admirable Rail-
road Commissioned, whose influence may
secure remedies for the evils complained OF.
have had some conversation with Colonel
Carter res peeting these matters, and he has
kindly consented to correspond with the
various railroad companies. AS far as the
Virginia railroads are concerned, desire to
say that for years past have always found
the presid ants thereof willing to entertain
any Well-eopsidered proposal. The idea OF
general railroad ticket available over all
our railroads for q specified time is an ad.
mirabie one, For instance, III tickets could
be issued at a moderate cost in New York,
Buffalo. Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, etc.,
available for the round trip TO Virginia and
within Virginia everywhere, for say two
months, i believe thousands would he Mt
tracted to this State. There is Just this dit.
fculty Eiz.,s that while railroad companies
are ,gerv willing to grant special facilities
TO intending settlers, theY n aturalIy object
TO having these facil tiles abused by com.
mercial mon visiting the South ON rdinary
business matters. This, think, could sbe
prevented by restricting the issue Of the
special tickets solely to persons holding
certificates from Colonel Carter as 70 their