Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-13
THURSDAY. APRIL IS. 1898
ThC Governors.

The Convention OF Governors Of the
Southern States was organized yes
terday by the election rs president OF
Governor FIsHBACR, Of Arkansas. who
was its originator and chief promoter
This honor is as well deserved rs it is
wisely bestowed. He will WELD the
gavel with parliamentary skill, though
there will be no great need of it to pre-
serve the peace, rs the members are ac-
customed to be in order, and it is part
of their official functions to make others
keep order. 1t is in fact, as in name,
an assemblage OF gentlemen OF the high
est dignity, and in this respect at least,
ranks with the United States Senate.
The business Of the day was confined
to organizing and hearing and answer
inc Governor McKISNEYs speech of
welcome. Upon the adjournment OF the
convention for the day the members
took carriage-driyo through the city
and suburbs. They lunched at the Con-
federate Memorial Bazaar. The wea-
ther was by no means fne-a light rain
was falling some OF the time, to the great
regret of their hosts and to the discom-
fort of the members.
Last night the members were the
guests Of Governor MCkINNEY. To
night they will bc the guests of the West
moreland Club. Meanwhile they will
have made considerable progress with
their work here.
The convention is attracting a great
deal of attention. The newspapers all
have something to say about it Some
OF those at the North are liberal in their
advice and insist that the governors first
duty is to take steps to give better secu
rity to human life in the South.
What they say is important to Us as
showing how grossly we are misunder-
stood and misrepresented away from
home. These publications press upon
lis the necessity for making the truth
known to the world, and they point out
some of the difficulties in our way.
The advice of some of these editors is
given in friendly spirit others talk TO
us as judges condemning culpriis. We
should profit both by the counsel Of our
friends and by the snarling Of our eno-
mics.
The South is not without sins-no
section of this country or Of any other
country is-and these we should seek to
correct as rapidly as possible. But we
should not tamely submit TO the libels
of those who detest our politics or are
jealous of our growing industries.
Careful records Of crime should be kept
in every State, and then, when we put
forth immigration literature, we may
make useful statistical comparisons with
other States.
The foremost duty expected Of this
Convention of Southern Governors is to
point the way to attracting investors and
settlers to the South. Upon certain
lines the southern States may act to-
gether, but the active work mus. be
done by the States separately.
This convention may render conspicu-
ously valuable service by bringing to
light the obstacles in our way, by sug-
costing methods for their removal and |
by calling the worlds attention to the |
fact that the South wants and invites
land-buying immigrants and. men
trained in the industrial arts, and that |
these will find amongst US healthful and |
happy homes, and as great remunera-
ton as is offered by any other section of
the country.
The convention is sure to be produc-
tive of good. Annual sessions would be
desirable feature of the organization,
and thus, in turn, each capital of the
South could be visited.