The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-02-04
STATE IMnIeRAEIOA.
The Work OF the senate Committee
Yar-InteFVieW with Chairman smith

The Work OF the Senate Committee 60
Har-IntsFVieW Win Chairman smith,
A reporter Of the IsTELIIaEScRR met
Senator Fontaine Smith, Chairman OF the
Senate Special Committee on immigration,
in the Mcclure House lobby last night,
and in the course OF q desultory converse.
ton with him on heprogress his commit
tee was making extracted much interest,"
ing matter from him. Mr.. Smith is deeply
in earnest in this matter and desires to see
some sort OF system adopted in regard to
immigration into this State. Mr.. Smith
and his committee have been working
faithfully all week taking testimony for
the purpose OF asCertainips the condition
OF the Immigrants in this State, and for
the purpose Of devisiug system OF immi-
grRtien.
"What agencies have you discovered to
be working against immigration, Mr..
Smith," asked the reporter Us he seated
himself in q comfortable chair in Mr..
Smiths room.
SWELL" said our aRabls respondent,
'you know the prime cause operating
against the State Is the defective land
titles. Railroad companies are the greatest
enemies to immigration within this State,
The agents OF Western roads meet the i'm
migrants when they come over and divert
them to lands in the west by warning
them not to settle in West Virginia, telling
them none can get clear title to land"
"What Of the previous efforts made by
the State to induce immigrants to settle
with us2"
"Our committee, !" said Mr.. Smith, "has
ascertained that the State has expended
about 5000, but we fail to find the re.
ports OF any Of the agents that were ap'
pointed accounting for the manner In
which this sum was expended. MIR. Lutz,
the present agent, Ia preparing his report
and will submit 1t soon, He will be the
only exception. What his report will be !
do not think 1t courteous 10 him TO antiCi'
pate, The ilI.suCCess OF the former efforts
Of the State in the direction OF lmmigra-
ton has been owing to lack oil system.
That we propose to remedy"
"Now for the remedy, Mr.. Smith%
"Yes str, will give you rough outline
OF the plan the committee will propose
1t Ia the intention 10 establish Bureau
Of Immigration and Agriculture, make 1t
State Department. For this office we
want West Virginian-to be appointed
by the Governor with the consent OF the
Board OF Public Works, AT the next gen.
erRl election, however, he is 10 be elected
by the people, Our plan then Contem.
plates the appointment OF an agent Of i'm.
migration, who ia Conyersant with the
European languages-one who can ex-
plain the general features OF the State, It's
climate, &C., to the immigrants, and act as
Interpreter. We will also pro.
vide for thorough organization
in each county 80 as to obtain information
OF the amount OF land for sale, Its char
aoter and general description Of 1t,
These facts will be recorded in the Office
Of the Bureau OF Immigration, and when
sold the State will be entitled TO a small
percentage. The plan further provides
to make the Attorney General the Judge
and Certlfer Of land titles. When land
owner wants to sell his land he must have
It surveyed and described. Hethen must
submit his titles to the Attorney General,
who will examine them, and II found per.
feet a record OF the same will be made,
The immigrant who desires TO purchase
can then examine the records and can tell
lust what he Is buying.
OF course this Is but q rough sketch OF
the plan, but you can yet q pretty good
idea oil what we contemplate offering
for the consideration Of the Legislature"
"You have examined the systems adopt
ed by ether States, have you not, Mr..
SMITH"
."Yes. ] have carefully studied the sys.
TENS now In vogue In four or FIVE States,
and have taken the best provisions In
each and those that seem best adapted TO
the wants oil our State. l think we will
be able 10 report system IS near perfect
as can be expected. 0fCourse we can not
expect to arrive at perfection at the start,
Experience, Of course, will suggest changes
and these can be easily made, The main
object is to get q start"
"When will your committee report"
~ think, cir, we shall be able to lay our
report before the Senate the frat OF next
week. We have taken great pains to give
the matter q thorough investigation, and
l am Of the opinion that the State had bet.
ter adopt some system In the matter OF
immigration or give itup altogether. The
present method does the State more harm
than good. Why, 1t Is not necessary 10
dilate UPON"
After thanking Mr.. Smith for his kind.
ness In impartlng the above information
the reporter babe him cordial goodnight.