The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-05-17
Msmtisslio Constitution. Hay 1al
The B1foan 81 immigration and
Desperation of CitlEoms.

Msmtiselio Constitution. Hay 1Al So
The B4foan 81 immigration and
Desperation Of Citizens.
We have letter from the Commissioner o.
the Bureau Of Immigration Of Ficrida, with
headquarters aA Tallahassee, 10 which the BELIEF
ID expressed that the Bureau can be Of great adj
vantage to the State If the earnest CO operation
Of prominent cetizens in the several counties can
be secured. The Commissioner says he IL In
daily receipt Of inquiries from all parta OF ths
country and Europe, ~ TO the character Of the
various sections Of Florida. the.. respective In
ducemenls !" co.: ,ers &c but that Il ia impossi-
BILE, with the very limited appropriation availa-
bic for the purpose, to obtain such familiarity
with the advantages of the several counties, a. 10
enable him to answer such inquiries intelligibly.
and therefore the necessity for reliable cores
pondents 10 each county TO whom applicants can
be referred
Under these circumstances 1t IL suggested that
the counties organize immigration Societies with
Secretary selected for his peculiar fitness, who
shall compile all data and furnish, upon applica-
ton TO the Commissioner, detailed information
of his county, and answer such correspondence
as may be directed to him by the State officer.
Presuming the Commissioner of the Bureau of
immigration Is an efficient oficer-tha, he fully
understands the duties and requirements Of his
important position. and that he desires to render
just faithful services for the salary he receives,
the suggestion that the counties cooperate with
him is reasonable, and should be respected and
we know of no better plan for effective work than
the organization of Immigration Societies, as
suggested In fact, societies of said character
can accomplish great good even though they
have no manner of connection with the State
Bureau-an official institution that is looked
upon by many as a snecure somewhat similar
10 several OF the Cabinet Offices.
But some steps should be taken Immediately
for the benefit and improvement of this section
Of the country. AS we stated last week, we
are retrograding, whilst other sections are
alive with enterprise, progress and prosper
ity. The monetary value Of our broad domain
is deprcciatiDg, because we have no immigration.
Land is precisely like all commercial commod-
ties regulated in price by the supply and de-
mand. Here the supply is abundant, it is enor-
nous, and there is no demand; and this, too, in
the finest country in Amerca-noied fer its sa-
lubrious climate good health, pure, sparkling
water, health-restoIing springs rich and produc-
tive soil, with its forests filled with magnificent
timber, its hundreds Of beautiful lakes alive with
delicate fish, its bills and valleys teeminR with
agricultural wealth, and within easy reach of the
great marts of commerce. Nature has done won.
ders for this country-man but little. 1t is ma
lures paradise, and all that is necessary for its
development is the muscle and energy of an en-
terprising, practical population If the 81 dy
valleys of the East can be made valuable, and
command fabulous prices, by the introduction of
desirable class of immigrants, surely similar
results would follow If we could secure few
thousand immigrants for Middle Florida
Perhaps the organization of live, energetic I'm
migration Societies in the various counties of the
black belt" may accomplish good and with
said object in view we urge that one be organized
Immediately in Jefferson county. The expenses
attending an effort OF this character will be NOM
inal 1t each land owner in the county who will
be benefited by large immigration, will con-
tribute five or ten cents per acre Of his landed
possessions, we can raise fund sufficient 10 meet
expenses and pay the secretary reasonable sal
airy for his services. Let Us try il. II no good
is accomplished, certainly ne harm can accrue
and the expense will never be felt II may be
the means by which this favored country will be
peopled by an industrious and enterprising pop
ulatOn, and the thousands of unproductive acres
be made 10 contribute to the happiness and
wealth of the citizens and State