The daily state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 188?-1891, 1890-08-05
THE OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER
OF IMMIGRATION.

OF IMMIGRATION.
Its ImpOrtance---The Vacancy Should
Be Filled at Once.
(Cor. STATE CHRoN1cLE.)
From the large number of applications
that have been received for the office of
Commissioner of immigration, made va
| cant by the resignation of Mr.. P. NJ.
Wilson, it would seem that almost any
person could fill it. This a great mis-
take, as the Office, properly conducted,
is one of the most important and hard
est to fill of all the several functions of
our State government.
The Importance of this Office has always
been underestimated, and with all due
| respect to former commissioners-w
discharged their duties satisfactorily
to the board, it has never been free from
| large amount of prejudice in the mind
Of the public. This prejudice is due to
| want of information as we'll as the in
jury wrought by foreign immigration
| in our moral, social and political con-
| ditions. These and other causes, which
| we will not mention here, are some of the
| obstacles which the Office has had to
contend with.
One of the great economic questions
| of to-day is that of labor. This is no
| theory, but an absolute condition, that
confronts US. To the observing, the facts
| present themselves in stern reality. The
| old system Of labor is passing away, and
under the new dispensation, which is
termed an improved intelligent indus
trial era,' radical change is taking
place. Already the signs of this change
are apparent, for within the last year or
so 10000 negroes have gone from this
State, to seek homes farther south where
climate and other conditions are more
favorable to them. Not only this, but
"a new population is headed south
ward to take their places. The atter-
ton that is being drawn to the South in
a thousand ways, and especially to North
Carolina, from her geographical location,
climatic advantages, wealth of soil, tim
Der and minerals, go to show that this is
the most inviting field in the United
States or the world to-day.
This new population, is not the pau
per classes Of Europe, who flock to this
country like the pests of Egypt, these
it should be the duty of our commission
er of immigration to drive back as they
would pestilence.) but they arc Amer
lean citizens, whose interests are identi-
fed with this country, who have capaci-
ty and means and who have been suc-
cessfully engaged in farming and manu-
featuring for many years, but owing to
changed conditions, that made their Sec
tions less favorable, are forced to emil
CRATE. This class already skilled in ag-
ricultural and mechanical callings, nat
urally are looking southwark, There is
no other section of these United States
that can invite them. The barrenness
and lateness of seasons in the New Eng
land and Eastern States, together with
the wonderful developements of the
trucking and railroad interest of the
South, have closed the market doors
against them. The cyclones, blizzards
+ droughts and insects of the great Wes
(0 have caused them to become disap
I pointed and the government too no long
or gives free land as an inducement t.
go West.
II We believe the dissatisfied laborers o
q New England and the disappointed farm
. ers of the West, could do no better, o.
I earth, than to cast their lot in the South
: immigration is the watchword of pro
gress of modern times. A large part o
= our material development is due directl,
a to immigration. Civilization woult
q never have advanced had it not been TO
immigration. Now, when we conside
properly the benefits of immigration
!, and how it has blessed our National an,
4 State conditions, we can realize in
measure its great Importance.
We cannot, we dare not, let the pres
ent opportunity go by without prope
consideration of the complex question
of immigration. It would be no les
than folly for the board of agricultur
TO close its eyes to the great change
l. now going on in this country, in it's poi
y ulation, who are seeking more proftabl
:. fields and new channels for the exercjs
81 of their skill and means.
In conclusion we say the Office (
N Commissioner of immigration is not
e. creature of the Board of Agriculture, ,
to a creation by legislative enactment, BI
,h A CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT, Il
D. board having the power only to fill v
cancies and to see that the duties of tt
VI OA4OO OAO PAOPOAAy OAONNUOAs Ia wow
n these facts we cannot see how the Off
can remain without commissioner. II
at regular meeting of the board does n
MS take place until December next, and ,
es see no reason why the board should n
We call a meeting and make an appointme
d. at once; and right here we would ma
suggestion. Let the Office seek t.
nd proper man and not the improper M
ir- seek the Office. We have all confden
lct in the gentlemen composing the Boa
of Agriculture, and we rest assured th
the matter will be given due consider
ton and the appointment will be ma
of man in every way fully qualified
fill this important Office.
on P. G. E.
RAILROAD FATALITIES.
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