Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-02-28
RESULT OF INACTIVITY.
Oop alctiDE Immigration Policles-wl

Cor fiIctiDE Immigration Policies what
Experience Teaches.
FORT WORTH, TEX, Feb. 81, 1855.
To the Editor of the Gazette.
This mornings Dallas News contains O
communication from Mr.. B. T. Barry of
Corsicans, explanatory Of certain actions
of the immigration executive committee,
Of which he is member, and Vindicatory
of Criticisms which the press and people
have visited upon them for their alleged
inactivity in pushing the movement. He
is explicit In his avowal of attachment to
Whist is known as the purely local organ
ization plan, by which the whole business
of inducing immigration to Texas is rele-
gated to the counties that are cleft to col
lect and expend their own money, using the
state organization to bring their united
influence to bear upon the railways
in such proper ways as may from
time to time be needed" This view he
| iustities by the belief that "the people Of
the state could not be depended upon to
pay into a state treasury any large sum of
money to be expended by state COM
mittee." To illustrate the value Of this
view he recites that "only $500 of the
$500 called by the state convention has
been paid" Stripped of extraneous
ve1bisge this is the argument made in
justification Of the course pursued by the
executive committee.
Now the question ct once obtrudes
itself upon the practical mind, il substan-
tally the entire business Of the executive
committee was to act as "go-betWeenn
between the railway companies and the
counties direct, then where existed the
occasion for making provision for a call
for SIS, 800 additional to the $500 to be
paid in by the counties? The Office rent,
furniture, fixtures, ETC., were all pre-,
Sented to the committee without cost,
Snd the only other expense, the Secre-
tary's salary of $4,000 yesr, was sFsmall
affair.
And is thst view correct which charges
that "the people of the state will not
psyP" Was not the 500 for each sena-
tOrisl district paid in during the first
month to the extent of 1880, when 1t
was believed by the people that the e1-
eCutive committee proposed to utilize the
T money either By scattering or placing
to best advantage all such liter
ature as the counties might send
] to headquarters, or to devise other
lmo1es Etor producing Edesired re-
: Esllts? ~ From the dSy that
the committee proclaimed that
; they would not yet levy an additional as
sessment to push the peoples business in
general way themselves, not dollar
mas been covered into the treasury, and
apathy wSs succeeded by encouragement.
: Granted that 'no debts should be in
Cured until the money was in the treas
ury to pay for the same" is 1t logical to
say therefore We must not call in eny
money that we may incur proper expend-
ituresw No, the plan of inaction about
such call was wholly consistent with the
plan Of inaction for the ex cutiye COM
mittee By the proposition to virtually
leave everything to the counties.
The real status of the case is this, there
are two policies that have been pressed,
On looking to vigorous work by the Gen.
trail bureau, the other to relegation Of
nearly all work to the counties, or local
organizations. Now what has experience
disclosed on,general principles, and what
mas the particular experience in this case
under review Afforded. The truth re-
mains that there must be some guiding,
governing head to every business, private
or public. Especially is this true where
the nature Of the business, the methods,
details, ETC., are so new to so many.
A county organizes an association,
raises It's money, prints its matter
as pest it can, and 10 and
behold. the people find there
hiss been no provision made for system
atic, expedient mesns Of distribution.
They appeal to headquarters for instruc-
tions and the stone of cold comfort is
given Them instead Of the bread OF valua-
bic advice. Thus the literature lies at
home scattered about, distressing sight
OF useless expenditure, and indifference
and despair follow earnest enthusiasm
and patriotic effort.
To remedy this let US suppose that the
executive committee or the duly author.
lied secretary could ssy to these people
ave have arranged all this for you
Set d your write-ups, e C, to our agent,
A, st 81. Louis, who will distribute them
free for you thr ugh that western Sec
ton. Send also TO our agent, B,
at New York, who will distribute
them for you through that east
ern section. Send also to our agent
G, at Atlanta who will distribute 1t for
you through that southern section. These
three men will also have it impartislly
scattered through sll excursion trains
that come twice month from or through
those points. These same agents will
{ keep Us advised from time to time about
Ewhat Is most needed for our success and
u we will inform you Of what pertains to
your an the states best interest" These
are the practical business modes. Here
is method, action, with the small cost OF
r not over $4,000 until next fall. Similar
arrangements might be made with the
railroad passenger agents for like work,
or for The state at large. OF course this
requi'es some cash, but that would have
been forthcoming II the localities could
have perceived returns assured, or res
sUnsoly in the perspective. But the
amount IS paltry for the crest state of
Texas. and the people 80 regard it. Is 1t
not unjust to them to say they would not
have paid it If called fori Because sll
the dristricts have not paid is NO con-
elusive evidence that they were not wait
lug for call, as the Law does absolutely
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