The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-02-21
SOUTHERN IMMIGRATION.
Charleston's Chnnccs OF being the Great
Entrepot.

Charleston's Chnnces OF being the Great
Entrepot.
COLUMBIA, S. c., February l5.-Iu re-
uponse 10 numerous inquiries, Commits.
sioner Butler has furnished to the press
the following statement Of his plans in
tho matter of immigration:
When he receives information as tO the
power Of the City of Cbarles:on to grant
i charter that will authorize the South
erp Immigration Association to establish
&C., he will endeavor to perfect tho or.
ganization Of the South Carolina branch
Of the Association. II proper authority
can he conferred by the City Of Charles.
ton and some Inducements are offered,
that city will undoubtedly be selected as
the port Of entry, as it is the most desi.
rablc Location on the South Atlantic
coast. Col. Butler has recently discussed
the matter very fully with Gen. J. b.
Erwin, the member Of the executive
committee for this State, and other pro.
gressiyc citizens, and is very mitch elcted
by tie encouragement he has received.
In addition 10 th. he has received letters
from prominent gentlemen in various
parts Of the State that seem to give as.
.urance of the complete success of any
scheme that may be inaugurated
Colonel Butler says that there is 4
very strong desire on the part OF the
people generally to do all they can to
advance the cause Of immigration in
South Carolina, and all that is needed to
make this desire assume practical shape
is The right kind Of appeal to them.
The association must tc able TO show
that its plans are practicable and will be
eiiectual with proper effort, and it can
then rely on the material assistance and
moral support Of every good citizen OF
the State. The commissioner has not
had time nor opportunity to confer with
the members Of the Southern Immigra.
tlon Associations in the other States, so
that he is unable to say just what it has
yet accomplished N the way of organi.
zation; but he is confident that the
South Carolina branch, of which he is
the head, can be soon put on irm
foundation. He believes that if this
State can be the first to move forward
practically in this matter there will be
no trouble in having Charleston selected
as The es.irepot for all tho Southern
States; and if this much cannot be done,
it can at least be made such for all the
Atlantic States. This Of itself would be
of infinite advantage. 1t would not only
add to the Importance Of our metropolis,
but would be Of great service to the
whole people, as it would enable them 10
select the very best class of foreigners for
tenants and latorers, and enable tho
land owners to deal directly with those
who haze money To invest in real estate.
The reports of the Castle Garden au-
thorities show that large number of
the immigrants arriving at New York
remain there and find homes either in
the city or State. OF course we could
not offer inducements TO as many skilled
laborers Us the great metropolis, aud
therefore would not expect rs many of
this Class to come TO Charleston but
South Carolina offers as great induce
ments as any Southern State, and once
the immigrants landed on our soil, we
could retain as large proportion Of the
arrivals as New York now does Of those
at her port, in short, South Carolina
would get the pick" and would, of
course, select the best
Tho establishment Of such a home
would hasten the day of direct trade with
Europe, and would vastly increase the
business of Charleston. There are many
other advantages that would. follow, but
1t IS unnecessary to speak of them, as all
realize the Importance of the matter and
the benefits to fow from it.
The great consideration now is, how to
successfully inaugurate and carry it out.
The first step TO be taken is TO arouse the
people and awaken enthusiasm in the
subject. To do this effectually, Colonel
Butler says that as soon rs the charter is
obtained local executive committees will
be appointed in every county to canvass
for members of the association, first
among those most interested and most to
be benefited. When this has been
thoroughly done, convention will be
called to meet in Columbia or Charles.
ton Tor q full discussion and the perfec-
tion of n complete organization. Every
citizen of the State will be considered a
member and everybody will be invited
to participate.
The New Orleans Exposition is regard.
ed as the great opportunity ofthe year for
inducing capital and immigration, and at
the proposed convention this matter also
will come in for full consideration. The
result of such a convention, if largely
attended by representative men, as it
should be, will be to at once attract. at.
tention to South Carolina from every
quarter, as it will be recognized as pub
lie sentiment in favor of immigration in
advance of any other Southern State.
Salesday in April or May will be nam.
ed for meetings to be held at every coun-
ty seat, and the live, patriotic men of
every county will be asked to attend
these meetings, address the p-ople, urge
upon them the great importance of the
matter and innrsas neon Them the pove.
er of organization, and ask them TO at
tend the State convention. A little of
the right sort of explanation will soon
convince them, and there will be no
further doubt Of the ultimate triumph of
the immigration movement. Correspon.
dence Heus and Courier.
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