The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-01-02
The Race Problem.

The suggestion which the MORNING NEWS
threw out a week or so ago, that the solu-
ton Of the race problem in the south is to
be found in education and immigration, has
attracted wide attention and excited great
deal of discussion. AS a rule, both in the
north and the south, the suggestion meets
with approval A few of the southern
journals do not take so kindly to the educa-
tional branch of it as TO that relating to
immigration, for the reason, per haps, that
they have not given it, as a whole, as care
full consideration as they doubtless win as
the discussion of the race problem proceeds.
What is wanted in the south is of course,
immigration, but how is it to be securedi
The most desirable immigrants are those
from the eastern and western states. They
are thrifty and progressive, and into the
communities in which they locate they in
fuse new life. If they engage in farming,
they quickly make their farms attractive.
They believe in improvements of all kinds.
| They increase the productiveness Of their
lands by intelligent methods, build good
houses and barns and raise the
grades Of their live stock. They take an
interest in everything that concerns their
neighborhood. They insist upon good
fences and good roads. and in other ways
manifest their energy and intelligence If
they engage in business, they display those
qualities which are necessary TO success.
| Their constant effort is to improve their
material condition and their surroundings,
and their influence is felt and shown in new
enterprises
But immigrants Of this kind will not go
where there are not good educational fsciI-
ties. They cannot be induced TO seek homes
in localities where there is a lack of interest
in religion and education. The happiness
and welfare OF their children are their first
consideration. The first things they inquire
about when thinking Of changing their
| abodes are the church house and school
house. A good many of tbs western people
who have located on farms in this state are
considering the adyisability Of moving to
the towns where their children can have
better educational advantages.
There are two southern states which have
been specially favored by the best class of
immigrants since the war. They are
Florida and Texas. Both states have ad-
vertised their resources and natural advan-
tages extensively, but the best advertise
ment they have had, and now have, are
their public schools. Florida maintains a
high standard of schools, and Texas does
the same thing. Neither state regards it as
economy to cut down to the lowest possible
point the appropriations for their public
school systems. From them the other south
ern states can learn a profitable lesson.
A good public school system must precede
immigration. When Georgia, for instance
makes her public school system what it
ought to be, she will not have to advertise
her advantages TO attract immigrants.
They will come without being asked, and
in such numbers that the increase in her
taxable wealth will give her first class
schools without increasing her tax burden.
Good schools will bring immigration of
the best kind, and immigration will solve
the race problem, because it will keep the
white race in control of the states, counties
and cities, until the black race, by reason
of its ignorance ceases TO be a menace to
everything that is essential to the prosperity
and happiness of people.