New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-22


Germaric. He visits the country in the inter
ests of the English members of the Board of
Aid to Land Ownership. which owns a large
tract of land in Tennessee. Mr. Hughes Is
chairman of the Board. He is at the Fifth
Avenue Hotel, and expects to remain in New
York until next Wednesday. Accompanying
Mr.. Hughes are several prominent Englishmen
and women, who are also interested in
the colonization scheme. A talk with Mr..
Hughes, in which he tells of his voyage and
explains the chief features of his new pro-
ject, is given herewith.
WHAT MIR. HUGHES HAS TO SAY.
Mr. Hughes and his party met in this city
Yesterday by Franklin W. Smith of Boston, in be-
half of the American members Of the Board. Mr.
Hughes proceeded to the Fifth Avenue Hotel.
where he was found last evening by TRIBUNE
reporter He bad Just finished dinner, and was
walking about the corridors smoking and cOnyers-
ing wth friends. He ls Of fine form, nearly SIX feet
in height aud very erect. His features are regular
AID his face constantly retains pleasant express
sion. He wears side whiskers in the English style,
which are slightly gray. He was dressed last even
ing in light colored trowsers, dark wastcoat and
long light colored coat
We have had most beautiful voyage over"
said Mr.. Hughes. The weather has been fine.
We had great fun on bOard-yOu know JO hn /. Ray
mOnd. the actor was with us He acted for u.s.
mnch to our enjoyment Why, we collected
f65 for the orphans of the Sailors Association OF
Liverpool This, Thought. was doing pretty
well, as it came from Americans who were on their
way home, and as they said, had spent all their
money"
What were Your impressions of New-York on
your arrival p
well, it was about dark and so I could not see
much. But 1t seemed to me that the streets were
not so we'll lighted ls when was here before. My
recollection was that New-York was much brighter
at night than have found 1t this time"
" How long do you expect TO remain IN the city Y
Not but a few days. probably not after next
Wednesday. | may go to Newport, hut our party is
very anxious to 90 straight to TENNESSEE. We shall
not 20 to Boston as at first intended, but shall
20 directly West and South, stopping probably at
Cincinnati on way"
" Have you decided how long you shall remain in
this country y
About two months think. must get back to
England by November On September ii we have
our opening day in Tennessee, aud l must do this
part of my work first. Everything is mapped out.
and our hotel and barracks will be ready by that
time
In Tennessee ~
About 100000 acres. 1t is situated on the
Cumberland plateau, in Morgan, Scott, OvertOn
and Fentress counties of that State. This land
offers greater opportunities for the accomplishment
of the designs of our Board than any other
tract tnat was visited by agents, over a dis
tance of more than 10000 miles Western and
Southern States. OF this area of 100000 acres,
800 600 acres have been bonded. and sufficient
amount besides has been conveyed for colonization.
Hitherto these lands, which are extraordinary in
their resources of soil timber minerals, water sup
ply and natural beauty, have been inaccessible. But
now the Cincinnati Southern Railroad passes
through part of them'
What has been already done on this reserva-
ton -
The English company organized with a cap
ita of f15O 900 sterling. and after the formation of
the En- glish Board the organization transferred
from the United States into English hands.
Since last March hotel has been built
there. a town laid out road seven miles long to
the Cincinnati Southern Read has been put under
construction, and nursery and an experimental
garden have been planted by a forcs er. Besides
this we have erected sawmill and brlckklln.
which are now III operation; roads and ortdie-paths
have been laid for the first time This region is
OF a remarkably picturesque beauty.
." Whar are the special features of your plan Of
colonization ~
"Ourpani slfferent from ordinary andlOperatiOns.
As its title Indicates 1t not ordinary land com
pany with the idea OF simple land speculation. lhe
primary object Of tine Board was nhllanthropc ;.
TO aid the poor and TO transfer the needy and sur
plus population from manufacturing 10 agrl-
cultural pursuits; and its facilities for aid
to a very large class are III nowise dimln-
ished under the auspices of the present English
organization. 1t Will especially meet the wants of
special classes IN the Old World, and IT IS thought
that people OF corresponding tastes with those who
90 there will be attracted from America. and Will
find such society cOngenla"
The special features which relied upon for
the attraction of settlement TO this region are ITS
agricultural and mineral advantages, and the great
benefits of the plateau as sanltaruin Besides tins
will be the creation of a region OF homes which are
especially delightful from their natural surround
ings. and by their central location, facil-
ties for communicating with the great cities
valuable and ready markets for the products
of a mixed agriculture. One feature of great i'm
portance which trust we may ne able 70 secure
and maintain for our new community from the first
is a high Christian character. We nope tDuS
to make it in all respects model
town of the future. There has been a liberal
reserve tor purposes of recreation. We have pro-
vided a cricket ground and English garden Public
parks have been marked out on what are here
named Beacon Hill and Glen Park Ii ismy opinion,
too that We would even better lose number of
settlers the start than How the erection of OBJ
jectionabe houses or buildings Of any kind. lt ~
necessary that we should spare no pains 10
start our town or colony on the right lines. 10
this end hope 20 have an Opening service, when
we will read Except the Lord will for psalm,
and SoiOnOus dedication OF the Temple TOR "A
lrsSpn
- his pace is not intended for those who called
the pOye Isned class, bnt II Is for the ADVANTAGES
of the tenant farmers OF England who suffer under
the present Ot laDd tennre, and for the
of gentry and welI-to-dO tradesmen and manuiac-
tur-rs tor whom the avenues Of employment III
England are practically barred"
Dir. Hughes is accompanied by other persons in
teresied IN the movement among whom are the
Earl of 4 irlie. Lord OgIVIe. Lady Maude Ogily1e,
Walter Nassau sr a Darrlster of London, who is
also a member of tue Board Mrs. aud Miss
Gardner Of Staffordshre, England; A. Maud,
son of Colonel Maud Hugh Hammersley, son of
Mr. Hammrr.ley OF Coke x Hammersey.
army bankers, of London, and I. Heap,
of Manchester England. The opening
ceremonies of the Board Of Aid to Land
Ownership will take place on September ii, at the
settlement probably, aud this occasion Mr..
Hughes will state IN n special form TO be gwen to
tie public the chief features of the scheme.