Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-05-17
IMMIGRATION AGENCIES IN
WEST VIRGINIA.

The Jackson Herald has some very
sensible and timely comments upon the
subject of immigration agencies in West
Virginia. Referring to the "magnifi-
cent sum of $500" appropriated by the
last Legislature in this behalf it says:
But if the one-horse local policy is to
be tolerated, it will grow, and finally
become a most oppressive burden, with
no corresponding benefits TO the State.
A local agency, with but few hundred
dollars at its command, Mil be able to
attract no general attention, and in q
few years we shall have score or two
of these institutions, whose expense in
the aggreg gate will be enormous and
half the amount expended i'll concen-
trated way would be productive of more
good. Ten-cent efforts in this direction
will not amount TO anything. People
outside, instead of being impressed by
them will only laugh at them, and hur-
ny on by West Virginia TO the West
to Minnesota, may be, where they are
attracted by the glowing accounts from
the State Commissioner of lmmigra-
ton, who has 100000 Il year to spend
in advertising the State.
The character of the efforts-if efforts
they may be called-made 10 attract
population to West Virginia arc e>i,
IDENTITY not attracting much attention or
accomplishing their purpose TO any ap-
probable extent. We never will have
more people until we have more public
spirit-until we individually and collec-
lively get rid Of the idea that nothing is
to our advantage that does not play di-
rectly into our individual purse. Men
are attracted by this thing We call pub
lie spirit when there may be no subStaE
tial assurances back of it. 1t carries
them off they feet as q whlrlwind, and
they enjoy the sensation Of being tossed
about, and don't care TO get out Of its
influence. They will stop and stay
wherever the magnetic power is felt.
Stagnation is death. II is human ma
ture to flee from 1t.
The magnanimous appropriation OF
$500 made by the last West Virginia
Legislature, says the Wheeling Regis
ter, 10 further immigration to the State
seems to have been put "where il would
do the most good 10y en;rUSting its
disbursement TO Commissioner Lutz.
lie has already gathered in quite col
ony of Swiss in lsandol phi county, and
is just now settling another importation
along the mountains of Cheat River. If
these sturdy Swiss cannot make our
mountains blossom it is hardly worth
the while TO look further The success
of Mr.. Lutz in this direction should en-
courage our Legislature to 10 some
thing liberal towards populating our
State. The Grafton Eagle gives the
following particulars Of the late arrival
spoken of above:
Under the efficient management OF
Mr.. &. L. Lutz, the venerable gentle
man who has charge Of the immigration
movement 10 this State, the Cheat river
country promises 10 be soon settled by
sturdy, reliable, hard working people.
Already there are several colonies of
Swiss in Randolph county, and this
week another colony arrived, reaching
Grattcn on Thursday morning. The
leader is Dir. Strahscn, and they were
met at Baltimore by Mr.. Lutz and safe
Jy piloled TO their destination. We
looked in upon them while at breakfast
at the IIechmer House, and counted
thirty-eight men, women and children,
the majority being fine looking young
men. In o talk with Mr.. Lutz We
learned that they had left Switzerland
on April 10Th, and they were all natives
OF that country except two, who were
Italians. Mr. Lutz said that they would
settle IN the Cheat country, IS miles
from Beverly, and that he had made all
preparations for them to buy land at
about $500 an acre lie further said
That at least two hundred Swiss are now
ready to come and that they will arrive
between Row and fall The meu of the
larty started across the country on foot,
while Mr. Lutz procured vehicles for
the women and children.