The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-05-10
The Living Question of Immigration.

To the Editor of the GreenviUe Ne,ps ::
The Hon. II. B. Buist, the president of
the State Horticultural Society and leg
islator from Greenville county, in your
issue of the 29th ult., portrayed in glori-
Gus colors the advantages and fiattering
inducem ents the Palmetto State offers to
the sturdy immigrant who is seeking a
home in the land of liberty and plenty,
and judging from the great number who
turned their backs upon South Carolina
it would be very fair to presume
that they have undoubtedly heard
something detrimental and disadvanta-
ge0us.
While nature has bestowed this State go
bountifully with natural advantages and
resources, the disadvantages ofour fanat-
ical and hypocritical laws, together with
the prohibition craze, have built Chi
nose wall around our borders and
thereby have kept intelligent and
thrifty immigration from being second
time BAN boozled, and it reminds me
(as an immigrant) most forcibly Of the
song:
"Won't you step into my parlor says
the spider to the fly" which. I am griev-
ed to say has happened to us immigrants
who came into the State in former years
held out to us, and foollshly invested
their all in grape growing and other hor.
ticultural pursuits, but who, in conse-
quence of the passage of laws by the last
and former legislatures, are virtually
almost ruined and would fain join the
tide of immigration westwards (that
you are trying so hard to induce to set.
tie among us) provided we could dis
pose of our property at one-halfits cost to
us.
Mr.. Buist is reported to have said on
the floor of the legislative hall in 1891 that
he considers the making of wine sin, but
consider it q sin ofgreater magnitude to
ensnare our fellow-man as has been done
before.
The grape and other fruit growing in
dustries cannot profitably be carried on
when hampered by such despotic laws,
as the making of pure wine and cider
goes hand in hand with the marketing,
canning and preserving effruits, and ac-
cording to the dispensary law going into
effect on July 1st the making of wine and
cider is a monopoly by the State and only
favored few will be benefited by this
act.
The New York Satn warns our people
that it is time to, bostir ourselves if we
want to take the front rank in agricultu-
raj progress and asks the question "why
are so many going West and 80 few to the
South ?" and being of foreign birth an
swer, the intelligent immigrant expects
to seek q home not only for himself but
for future generations where he can en-
Joy at least the same liberty in thought
and action as in his native home.
Not only are such liberties held out te
them by the progressive Western States
still greater inducements are offered them
by tbs exemption of taxation on lands
set out in vineyards are orchards.
How did the South Carolina Legisla-
ture of 1892 treat the petition of the grape
growers of the State when they humbly
asked protection for privileges assured
them? answer, with silent contempt
and the dispensary law.
The intelligent immigrants have en-
,joyed for their children at home school
facilities for twelve months in the year
What does the rural district of South
Carolina offer them? Three months in
the year in windowless cabins, slat
benches and hickory switch.
No, no, gentlemen, the intelligent i'm
migrant can and will 60 further and fare
better. Respectfully,
G.. WANNER,
Proprietor of the Vine Hill Vineyards
and Secretary of the State Horticulture,
Society.