The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1880-12-14

A%roPtsotfs
tanned carefully prepared editorial urging upon
the press and people of The State TO examine
and consider the needs of the State with refer
ence to immigration, giving the outline of a
plan of operations and inviting suggestions and
criticism.
The Dispatch has done good work. not only
in the cause of immigration, but in an equally
important field OF usefuiness-that of aiding
the immigrant after arrival ia the selection of
the best methods Of making his venture prompt
ly successful, by the constant dissemination
of valuable information concerning the agricul-
tural and other resources and industries of the
State, and the most approved and judicious
means of developing them. The views of the
Dispatch, therefore, upon the best methods of en-
couraging and securing desirable immigration TO
the State should be given due weight in the Con
sideration of this all-important subject
The Dtspatch proposes first, the publication
and distribution OF carefully prepared descrip-
lions Of the climate, Soils and resources of every
portion of the State; second, the establishment
at the State Capitol of collection of specimens
of the vegetable mineral and manufactured
products of the State; third, the filing at every
county seat of copies of pats of all public lands
for entry and sale, 10 be corrected from time to
time as sales or entries are made fourth, the
appointment of an immigration agent for each
county (the county tax assessor suggested) whose
duty it should be to collect information and sta
tistios for the use of the Commissioner, and aid
that officer in the local establishment OF settlers;
fifth, the sending of an agent 10 visit the various
Northern and Western agricultural and indus
trial fairs. with portable exhibit OF specimens
Of soils. products, ETC., and supplied with printed
descriptive matter for distribution, and armed
with authority 10 arrange for the transportation
OF the immigrant at the most favorable rates to
his place Of destination.
No one will find anything to object to in the
first suggestion. Opinions differ as to the kind
and style of pubication-the form in which the
printed matter should be offered and we may
recur to this branch of the matter hereafter; but
all will agree that printed matter and plenty of
it, SO that ii be reliable and correct is indis-
pensable.
The creation of full and complete collection
of samples of all the agricultural mineral and
industrial products of the State at some central
point (the State capital, as suggested by the Dis
patch, seems preferable.) is means of conveying
vital information in the best possible method, by
ocular demonstration, concerning the actual
capacities of the State, which has long been in
favor and use by the most experienced and sue
cessfhl workers in the cause of immigration in
other localities, and the good results achieved by
this means bear no relation whatever 10 the
trihing cost Establishing and maintaining such
permanent exhibit. There Is scarcely pro-
Queer in the State who would not gladly donate
specimens, and it may be safely said, perhaps,
that their transportation to the place of exhibit
would cost little or nothing. The chief difficulty
would exist In the management of the actual
details Of collection, transportation and arrange
ment, which would require the time and labor of
one or more active and competent agents. accord
ing to the time deemed necessary TO be devoted
to the work.
Asto the appointment of county immigration
agents that would be of more doubtful expedi-
ency. II win be very Difficult: to select in each
county just the right sort of person to undertake
the important duty of receiving and locating"
the incoming settlers, BY fixing this duty upon
the County Assessor, or upon any other specified
officer of the county, four preference would be
for the County Judge) the risk would be great
Of anding the incumbent utterly uD6, for sacl,
task, And the inseres,s Of the county would
suffer By the working of an arbitrary rule from
which there would be no relief short of change
in the once II would ssem tbatif county i'm.
migration agents are to be appointed at all, they
should be selected with especial reference to-
their htness for the peculiar duties proposed to
be devolyed upon them, Instead Of county
agents weEwould prefer fewer agents especially
selscted with view 70 heir peculiar fitness, and
ppbjeet ioi the orders of the Commissioners for
ddsy n any direction be might designate. ac-
cording TO the exigenceso the service. Statistics
and local Information could be procured by
making such service one Of the duties Of the
County Aassssqr 81 oihet suitable ollcer and the
County Surveyor of Clerk could Be required to
keep The rscoris ana plats suggested ID the third
branch 81 Ne plan under considerations.
The sending sbsSsd 81 travelling exhibits Of
pfoducls. &c, wopn doubles atssacs pucl, al.
tsntiop. I'D w6ald do rood and convldee many,
but x e. sbQnl4 ID Any way interfere win he
-