Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-02-27
TIE LMMIGRATIoN RoARD.

That the extraordinary development of
Minnesota during the past few years is
largely due to the labors of the state
board of immigration will not, we think,
be denied by any one at all acquainted
with the business transacted at the
Office of the board, and it is
matter of surprise that any mem
Der Of the legislature should be
found opposing the small appropriation
which the board asks for, in order to en-
able it to continue its labors. No doubt
such opposition grows wholly out of a lack
of knowledge as to what this board has
done and is doing, for it can not arise
from any correct motive of economy, or
enlightened desire for the welfare
of the state. And if those members who
oppose it had taken pains to inquire into
the subject we are very sure that they
would be found on the opposite side from
that they now occupy.
The first and principal duty of the board
has been to advertise the resources and ca
pabiIities of the state, which it has done
SO effectively that Minnesota ia now recog-
nized on both sides of
the Atlantic as being one
of the most widely advertised states in
the Union. Another duty has been to call
public attention to the extraordinary and
abundant manufacturing facilities of Min
nesota, and induce capital to seek invest
ment here in manufacturing enterprises.
That the board has already accomplished
a great deal in this direction must be ad-
mitted, as the evidences thereof are to
be found in many parts of the
state and several parties, now correspond
ing with the secretary, contemplate the
erection of additional factories this sum-
mer. 1t must be remembered, however,
shat considerable more time and effort is
required to bring about such investments
than merely to induce agricultural settlers
to come hither, and the effects of the
labors of the board in this
direction will manifest themselves
far more noticsably in the future.
The miAing interests of the state have
also received such attention from the board
as their importance demands, and the
showing up of our peculiarly attractive
commercial facilities has certainly been
effective in calling thither very many of
those who are now engaged in trade in the
numerous cities of the state.
The secretary of the board is
constantly in receipt of letters touching
every industrial topic, and has expended
g loL>
information in order to be able to an
swer correctly the questions put to him by
correspondents.
It Il true that the state is indebted to
the railway companies for many of its
immigrants, but the ability of these COM
panies to accomplish what they have
in this particular is largely due to tho in
fuence of the board. The companies are
known to be particularly interested in the
sale of their lands and the creation of bus
mess for their roads, and their statements
are therefore received with allowance;
while those of the board, in the absence of
all such motives to prompt
exaggeration and being besides
the utterances of the highest officers of the
state, carry far greater weight. The rail
road companies perceive this and not on
ly have they drawn largely upon the state
pamphlets for their own publications, but
frequently send these pamphlets to CORE
spondents as confirmation of thsir own as
sertions.
This board has no doubt been the means
of accomplishing great deal towards the
development of the state, and the small
amount of money expended in sustaining
it has been amply repaid. To close up its
labors now will, we think, be unwise and
injurious. and we hope that the opponents
of the appropriation in the legislature will
not only permit the bill to pass, but give
it their own support.
Returned to Work.
WILMINGTON, Del, Feb. 26.-Most of the
striking weayers at Arlington cotton mills
L. H.