The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-01-06
SOMETHING WORTH CONSIDERING.

bUmbldlhd WUhlu OUNp1DbhlnN'
The New York Herald in its issue Of the
LIST instant, says: "The number of immi-
grants arriving at this port daring the year
falls but little short of third Of a million.
) Any other new country would go wild with
delight ever such an addition TO its working
force, but Americans do not always know
when they are in luck" New York is the
principal port in this country at which for
eign immigrants arrive, but il is safe TO as.
sumo that tho arrivals at other ports during
the year Just past were sufficient with those
OF New York, TO make the whole number In
the neghborhood of 100000 men, women
and children. Now, of this number, how
many has Texas secured for her busy fields
and her vacant lands? Some have come to
our state We know, principally Germans and
Bohemians, with few Englsh, but the
number was comparatively small considered
with the aggregate who found homes in the
United States, yet theve is no state in the
union more in need of immigrants or that
offers better advantages to them. Why do
we not get a fair proportion Of those
coming then? We know that during the
past year private enterprise, inaugursted
by different railroad companies in the state,
has set on foot scheme to secure immi-
grants for the state, Hon. w. w. Lang being
at the head Of the undertaking, and from the
little that has been made known of the efforts
Of Mr.. Lang's bureau, we are led 10 infer
that it 10 doing systematic End judicious work,
ultimately, and apparently speedily, to result
in great benefit. But why should the state
as a commonwealth Je supins in this NEST
important matter II is true that there is q
constitutional inhibition against the state
taking any very active or expensive steps to
secure immigration but we are Of the opin-
ion-and 80 it seems was the Hon. George
Mccormick, late attorney gsneral-thAt
fair and reasonable construction Of this con-
stitutOnal clause in question would net
stop the state entirely. 1t is prohibitory
only to certain extent, in specified direc-
ton, and we hazard the suggestion that the
stac chD, if ii will, go 50 far as to publish for
distribution the advantages offered here to
the immigrant seeking new home.
A publication Of our homestead ex-U
1mptons, Of our prS-emption laws, with
statistics of products, classidcatons of soil,
timber, minerals, Jour climatology, health,
statistics, values Of lands public and private,
railroad facilities commercial importance,
pastoral and crop resources, and such data
generally, as this, to be circulated, not only in
EuropeaR countries, and to beput in the hands
of immigrants on arriving in this country
but TO DO distributed broadcast throughout
the eastern and western states, would GER
tsinly turn a strong tide Of immigration to
Texas, and secure for us a few years, say by
the time tho next census is taken, certainly
double the population we now have. Mr.
Lang's immigration bureau, working under
tho auspices of the railroad companies of the
state, would DO good medium through
which TO disseminate this valuable informa-
ton, and it could thus be done without cos!
"a the state. II would not be amss either, it
occurs to us, to tho color OF official authority
from the state, the state slipulating that this
action on its part was in no wise to render it
in any way pecuniariiy liable. The publica-
ton Of such documents as We have suggested
ought to cost but little, and without presum-
ing to name any figures, We think $4,000
would be sufficient. Could the state expend
$4,000 in any way that would result more
benoaciallyf The state does not want that
class of immigration whose transportation
must DO furnished, but immigrants who can
pay their own way to the state are wanted,
and the means we su gest would secure that
kind. Would it not be wise, too, to at least
modify, if not abrogate, this constitutional
inhibtion2 II majority of the people OF
tho state desire portion of tho public
money expended to secure population for our
unsettled districts, why should there be
constitutional provision to prevent them
from doing it' Legislators generally know
what their constituents want in a matter OK
that kind, and there would be little danger of
their miaappropriatiug any of the public
funds OF running counter to tho wishes Of
the people We see that every state that is
making the effort in its official or corporate
capacity TO secure immigration is doing So
and We know, too, that when Tex as Eve or
six years ago stroyo for population that
people focked across her borders by multi
piled thousands. Why then, should Texas
stand with folded hands and make no at
attempt to help herself ard develop that
great strength latent within her Have we
not made suggestions worthy of conldera.
tionS And will not our legislature, to meet
next Tuesday, in its wisdom and its interest
in the welfare the state take this matter of
immigration under advisement and do some.
thing in the premsesG
srr-s--.E----------
ABOUT EARTHQUAKES,
In eur local columns this morning will be
| fonnd an ancNnnt of A ,nn,,1;a. .a... IL