Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1881-03-26
NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
SATURDAY, MARCH 26. 1881.
How to Secure Immigration for Mich
igan.

igan.
Every indication points to a very
largely increased immigration this year
over any preceding year of late. The
year just passed was almost if not quite
unprecedented in the number of immi-
grants landed. The New York Herald
estimates from carefully gathered statis-
tics that the increase in our national
population from this source during the
current year will not be less than 500,-
600 people. The general element of this
immigration is very large, it being stat
ed that whole villages are migrating
from portions of the German empire.
These have very largely the western
states and territories as their destina-
tiOn.
Is it not time that Michigan with her
25, 100000 acres of unimprOved lands,
equal for general agricultural purposes
to any in other states. should be making
an effort to secure share of this vast
influx of immigrants who are seeking
| Just those advantages which we have to
offer. Under the present laws Michigan
has the right to eXpend small amount
a commission to be appointed by the
Governor. Several years experience un-
der this law convinced the state author
tiles that no adequate returns were be-
| ing received for the amount expended,
therefore the appointments under the
law were suspended, and for several
years our state has made no effort in this
direction at all. But the time has come
i yxybap action cbonId ho foEap A foyy of
our legislators seem to have realized this,
and several bills are pending before the
| legislature, which are intended to secure
Michigan some benefit from this immigra
tiOn. Most of these bills call for a great
er or less number of officials or immi-
grafton agents upon salaries. Now with
several bills, we do not believe that sup
| to secure the most desirable results. We
have tried that plan and it has not prov
en- success.
1t has been suggested that board of i'm
migration commissions, composed OF three
enterprising and successful business
men, should be appointed by the Govern
or, which commission should serve with
out compensation, who should have
charge of the immigration business of
the state. There are men in the state
we have no doubt who would accept such
positions, who possess such influence
and business and executive ability as
would place the advantages of Michigan
before this class of people in light
which would show they are not equalled
by any other state in the Union. This
| should be done by complete and ex-
haustive system of advertising. The
money appropriated by the state should
be thus spent rather than in salaries to
so-called immigration agents. We un-
derstand that Representative Seymour
of this district, has bill covering some
| if not most of these points written out
and will probably press it as an amend
ment to the bills already proposed.
A liberal appropriation should be
made for the use of this board. Money
expended judiciOusly in advertising the
advantages that this state possesses over
other states, and in securing additional
population in the state to improve its
uncultivated lands would rebound to the
benefit of every person in it. 1t would
be money expended which would return
| to it increased an hundred fold.
We hope Mr.. Seymour will push the
proposed bill and secure its adoption. 1t
seems to us the most business like and
practical plan that has yet been proposed
and one which should receive the hearty
support of all having the best interests
of the state at heart.