The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-31
MEYERS, 9Th & Broad
SOUTHERN IMMIGRATION
OPENING OF THE CON-
GRESS IN AUGUSTA.
Speeches of Welcome by Mayor Alexander,
Hon. j. r. Lamar and Governor
Northen-1he Responses.

AUGUSTA, GA, May 3g.-The southern
Immigration Congress opened suspicious
ly in Augusta to-day. 1t was called 10
order at noon in the Grand Opera-House
by President Bryan, of Nashville, who
introduced Mayor J. II. Alexander, OF
Augusta, who welcomed the Congress on
the part Of the city. Mayor AleXander's
speech was full Of interesting history
about Augusta. 1t is the oldest inland
city in the South Atlantic States, and
was the second established by Ogle-
thorpe. This city, before the day Of rail-
roads being the farthest inland city with
river navigation to the sea south Of
Virginia, was the point of communication
with the outer world Of all .hat territory
embraced in Alabama, East Tennessee.
North Georgia and South Carolina. Here
all this vast section came in wagons
TO trade.
II have been told by old citizens, who
saw with their own eyes" said Mayor
Alexander, that in the fall and winter
It was not uncommon 10 see our capa-
cious broad streets so closely packed
with wagons that one might step from
one to another for a mile or more"
raneous history in l740. five years after
the settlement was planted as already
in state of great prosperity, and con-
Quoting an extensive traffic throughout
the vast and fruitful tributary country.
1t was mere that Eli Whitney conduct
ed his experimental works, and in 1893
developed the cotton gin, one Of the most
famous industrial inventions Of the world.
which Immediately revoiutioniZed the
agricultural industry Of this section from
tobacco and indigo to cotton as its staple
crop. In 1860, seven years after Wnitney's
gin appeared. Georgia alone exported
over 1000 bales.
We have here the oldest public journal
in the South, THE Augusta Chronicle
established in 17S5 and published con-
tinuousy since that date. We have the
Oldest incorporated educational institu-
ton In the South, in the Richmond
Academy. established by act Of Legisla-
ture in 1888; we have the second oldest
completed railroad in the country, the
Charleston to Augusta, and preceded only
by the Camden and Amboy railroad in
New Jersey.
THE AUGUSTA or TO-DAY.
Following Mayor Alexander, Hon. Jos.
r. Lamar. president Of the Young Mems
Business League, Of Augusta, which Sc
cured the Congress for this city, welcom-
ed the convention and followed with
more valuable facts concerning the Au-
Gusta Of to-day. Taking simply the
official census figures for 1890 he show
ed that Augusta had increased in num-
Der Of manufacturing establishments in
the past decade. 6SS per cent: In capital
employed, rs per cent; in labor employ
ed, Z75 per cent; and in wages PAID so
per cent That II had spent more money
for public improvements than any city
in the South, and had the lowest death
rate in the South.
Governor Northen welcomed the Con-
gress on the part Of Georgia, and gave
a glowing picture Of her progress and
thrift He declared the readiness Of
Georgia TO welcome industrious immi-
grants who came 10 cast their lot here
Senator Patrick Walsh welcomed the
congress. and extended them the priyi-
leces of the Commercial Club, of which
ne is president. He said the assembling
Of thirteen Southern States reminded MN
of that first convention OF the thirteen
original States to declare their indepen-
dence. The present movement Is 10 for
muate plans by which this most favored
section could enlarge its citizenship ana
work out it's material independence. lie
thought the occasion most suspicious.
and the outlook bright for the success
of the congress.
Responses to the address OF welcome
were made by Gov. McCorkle. Gov. carr
and Gov. Tillman.
PRESIDENT BRYAN's SPEECH.
AT the conclusion Of the address OF
welcome and the responses, fresldehl
Bryan addressed the convention. lie eA-
Dlained the need for immigration In the
Southern States by contrasting the popu-
lation per square mile or some OF the
States as follows: ,
the most densely populated Of the South
ern States. 40; Rhode Island 26i; Iexas'
S. He showed the material advance
which has taken place In the South, and
called attention TO the fact that educa-
floral advantages were keeping pace, the
increased progress being 100 per cent. In
the past decade in appropriations in
Southern States for this purpose, last year
being over $4,000. OO0 The total value
of school property in the South Is Sio'-
600 600; number of teachers. $4,000; white
pupils, 2.250,OO0; negro pupils. 1,23O,0OO;
pupils in private schools 100000; in paro-
chial schools 10000. He thought the
time was ripe for the immigration move
ment in the South and believed that by
patriotic and united efforts on the part
of intelligent men, composing the Con-
gress, some wise and practical plan would
be adopted.
ORGANIZATION EFFECTED.
Ar the afternoon session permanent or
ranization was effected by the reelection !
Of President NJ. I. Bryan or Iennessc-' |
and Secretary b. F. Elliott, or f1orldi;
If was decided that each State reported
should vote according TO its vote In the |
electoral college, and each Territory nave
one vote. The credentials committee re-
ported represented In the congress the |
following States and Territories: ,,,. !
Of Columbia, Florida. Georgia, kentucky,
Missouri. Mississippi. Norm
Carolina. South Carolina. Tennessee. VII
ginia, West Virginia, and Texas: also
The leading railroad systems or the sou,h.
An details OF organization and the oruer
~ business having been gotten through |
to-day. the congress will begin on It's
work tomorrow.
NO PLAN MAPPED OFT.
Inst what line Of action viii be taken
nobody seems yet TO know. There APP
pears to be no preconceiyed schene s1
,ha noint where he believes the time ~
r line for concerted movement In me
interest OF southern immigration, an nae 70
believe that 1t is a good tninS 10 a or,ae Is
vet 10 be determined by the convention.
covcrnor TiIiman, OF South Carolina,
probably expressed the sentiment OF me
majority Of the delegates "hen ne W.