The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-02-22
EMIGRATION AND COLONI-
ZATHON.
Letter from u. =. Senator
Plumb, of Kansas.
Springfield, Ohio, Republi

~ AAS-Ns
Letter from u. =. Senator
Plumb, of Kansas.
Springfield, Ohio. Republic.
We take the liberty OF printing a
letter written TO the editor of this
paper by the Hon. p. B. Plumb, q.
5. Senator from Kansas, especially
as IL contains matter of q very prac-
teal nature, which ought to be plac-
cd before the public. 1t will be seen
that the Sanator differs from the
views editorially expressed in the
Republic concerning colonial en-
igration, and from his standpoint
we cheerfully cOncede that he is jus
titled In so doing. When men have
the means to buy lands in the neigh
borhoods, in Kansas, Nebraska, and
elsewhere, already supplied with
the appliances of civilization, they
will not need to go into colonies,
bat Ia the case of large numbers of
unemployed men who have no mon
eY, we think IL will be necessary that
they should take unoccupied gov
eminent lands beyond the present
bounds of civilization, and take their
minister, school teacher, editor,
carpenter, blacksmith, and store
keeper with them. This could be
done by men almost If not quite
destitute OF means. if an organized
and general system could be estab-
Ished aud sustained by our PROM
inent men of wealth throughout the
country, but tie benefits of the sys-
tenn could, of course, only be enjoy
ed by men of established character
for honesty and industry.
We print the letter in full below
Mr.. G n. NICHOLS: Ny Dear
Sir IL have read with great inter-
est your recent article entitled, ga
Pressing Public Need" You do
not state the case too strongly, nor
set forth the urgency of the situa-
ton in too vivid light. The prob
lem of the hour is: What shall be
done to furnish employment to the
unemployed poor? How ahall the
. large and rapidly growing class who
are actually deprived of the neces-
saries of life, and the still larger
claes who are in danger of becoming
so, obtain remuneratlve and perma-
nent employment AS you say, the
tendency which has been manifest
ed in the past to flock to the great
cities and large towns, stimulated.
by the vast expansion of mannfac-
turing and commercial industries,
has, since the crash came and these
branches OF enterprise have been 60
seriously crippled, contributed won
derfnlly to aggravate the unhappy
condition of the laboring classes.
The proper remedy 10 be applied
is q consideration of sufficient mag
nitude to tax all the resources of
craftsmanship. have a strong
hope that the return to q wiser sys-
tenn of national finance, now appa-
rently at hand, will afford some nit
igation, If not permanent relief, of
the public burdens in this regard.
i believe with you, however, that in
the development of the agricultural
interests of the country rests our
surest hope. Within the last few
years the States of the far West
have been receiving, and they are
now receiving large influx of i'm
migration from the centers of pop
ulation in the East, to say nothing
of the thousands who annually come
to us from the States of Northern
Europe. l am sure that, If you could
travel through many of the more
recently settled portions of Kansas,
and note the measure of compare
tive comfort and Independence to
which these people have in short
time attained, you would feel your
zeal renewed, and your determine
ton to do what you can to promote
the moro rapid settlement of the
West, strengthened. The pressure
of "hard times" is, indeed, felt there
as with you, and here aud elsewhere
In the East, but it rarely extends to
real or threatened deprivation of
the necessaries of life. With the
great advantages of production Rf-
forded, and with ordinary thrift and
foresight, these can rarely be want
ing.
1 have not yet been able to give
the subject sufficient reflection to
determine in my own mind whether
any system of legislation can or
ought to be devised, in addition to
our beneflcient land laws, to pro-
mote western emigration and the
consequent relief of the oyer popu-
lated portions of the East. The sub
ject is, as 1 have said, one which
merits the attention of the wisest
men. You will find me ready and
anxious TO cooperate in any practi-
cable plan consistent with the prop
err relation OF the general govern.
ment to the States and the people.
have my doubts whether you dc
not lay too much stress upon the
advantages to be derived from set
Element in colonies. Many, if mol
aD2ASaI Sn1nnnUnonfa uhfnh un
mention, are offered quite as freely
grant. 1t would be difficult to find
any part of Kansas to which settle
ment has extended where the edu
cAtional, religious and social advan
tages offered are not equal at leas
to those which characterize the ag
ricultural communities of NOR
Eastern States. What lie true o
Kansas in this regard Is doubles
equally true of other portions o
the West, to which public attention
is now being turned. Individna
settlement must encourage self-reli
ance and prudent calculation, with
out which success lie doubtful, If no
impossible, in any field. Ii is pos
sible that the association of person
tOSetner IN Colonies mlBnI touu y
relax this principle, as we'll as pos
sibly to encourage Injurious disseH
sioDs. ! do not speak with conf
dence on this point, however, as
know of many colonies which hav
achieved q marked success.
Your article shows an intelligeu
appreciation of one of the mos
pressing and vital economical que;
lions of the time, and hope tn
press and public men of the countr
will strive together to give IL
practical aud beneficient solution.
Truly your friend, p. B. PLUn
We are obliged to our old frien'
the Senator, for both his commend
ations and his criticisms, aud al
glad to lay before our readers th
suggestions of one who has so niue
practical knowledge OF the actui
fruit of emigration in the west.
1t seems to us that Congress migf
open the way for the organizatio
of chartered National Coloniz'
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