Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-02-10
Meeting Of Governors Here.

IL would be altogether agreeable to the
people Of Richmond and Virginia TO have
the Governors OF the southern States meet
IN convention here during the month OF
April. ne proposed by Governor FIsHnAcK,
of Arkansas, TO discuss the ways and
means Of inducing desirable immigrants
aud other settlers 10 make their homes IN
this section of the Union. The Governors
would find the Confederate bazaar IN full
operation IN the Armory at that time. and
would be sure to meet here many men
well.known throughout the land VINO.
With our own citizens, would give them
welcome and assist them "a far as possible
in the accomplishment of the object IL
view.
II has been suggested that at this mo-
ment, when the United States Government
is about 20 put in force very stringent
regulations against immigration, 1T Is not a
very good time to discuss this question.
OF course we cannot expect TO do much
this year, but Governor FIsHBAcK no
doubt aims TO formulate scheme for the
future. and We doubt not that his idea IL
that with well-considered plan we OF the
South may use the Chicago fair as great
opportunIty % interest visiting foreigners
in our section. II we are to make the most
of the fair -ye must 60 there with fully
matured plan OF operations. 1t 1t can be
formed so a. 10 embrace the whole South
so much the better if this be not prsctl-
cable perhaps we may divide the South
into groups Of States and IN that manner
cooperate III our work,
OF that class of immigrants which would
be most severely excluded by the terms OF
the national quarantine regulations very
few would under any circumstances come
South. Those who have TO rely upon the
labor of their own hands and upon employ
ment TO be given them by others would
not az "A general thing be able to compete
with the cheap labor" that we already
have in the South. The better class of
foreigners the small farmers and trained
mechanics will not, however. be so much
the objects OF exclusion, and these are the
people whom we of the South most neod.
At any rate. if we can not hopeto start the
tide Of immigration our way this year by
concerted action we may hope to put on
foot a movement which will find full
realization in the near future. The mere
fact that convention of southern Gov
eruors had been held at Richmond TO dis
cuss the 81 bject would Of itself be a good
advertisement for our section at home and
abroad.
But we take 1t that Governor FIsHBACK
not only wishes to induce immigration.
but desires also TO bring to the attention
of the people of the North and Yves: the
attractions that the South can offer TO
those who are seeking new homes in
country where lands are cheap and where
the climate is mild. In any effort which
II might be decided should be made in this
direction the quarantine question would,
of course, have no effect at all.
Upon the whole we doubt not that Gov
ernor Mckinney. when he replies 10 Gov
ernor FIsHBAcK. will be able to show him
that, while IN some respects the present
moment is some what lnopportune for such
a convention as is contemplated, the ad-
vantages presented by the Worlds Fair
must be seized now or not at all. And it
goes without saying that he will assure
Governor FisHBACG that our southern
friends will be most heartily welcome to
the capital OF the Old Dominion.