The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-09
TO INVITE SETTLERS.
First Move to Form a State
Immigration Society.
A REPORT OF ST. PAUL MEETING.
Gov. McGraw Requested to Call a Con-
vention Local Organization
Necessary.

4 state immigration convention VIII
probably soon be called by Gov. j. II. Nc
Graw TO further the work begun by the
Northwestern immigration convention at
ST. Paul November - TO u. In compliance
with the request of the Washington dele
gates, |. A. Nadeau. of this city. has
written a report TO the governor. making
a recommendation for a state convention.
and advising him that at the St. Paul meet
ing there We're present about 400 delegates
representing Washington, oregon. Idaho.
Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota.
Minnesota, Wisconsin and the province of
Manitoba. Addresses were made and papers
read on the subjects of immigration and
the resources and advantages of the va
rious states represented. Several papers de-
voted TO this state were read by members
of the Washington delegation.
Interstate Association Formed.
"Out OF this general convention says
Mr.. Nadeau's report, there was organ
lied the Northwestern immigration
Association. composed of representa-
tves from the states of Minnesota. North
Dakota, South Dakota. Montana, Idaho,
Washington and oregon. The officers
elected for the first year were as follows:
President. T.. l.. Schurmeier, St. Paul;
vice president. Ellis Hughes. Portland; sec
rotary. ID. McGinnis. 81. Paul: treasurer,
L. McNa!r, ST. Pau An executive COM
mittee of three from each of the states
mentioned was also elected. The members
of the executive mmi from Wash
ingten are: 5. L. Crawford. Seattle; DR..
James Van Marter. Tacoma; II. Bolster.
Spokane.
Its Work Defined.
That association will distribute litera-
ture and direct its efforts TO encouraging
immigration TO the Northwest without
reference TO particular locality. as we'll
aS assssr the STATE. prp4 nfZafrDHS which II
is hoped, will be formed in each of the
states represented.
The work OF the Northwestern lmmi-
grafton Association, embracing a territory
extending along the same parallels for a
distance of nearly 1000 miles, must neces-
sarily be so general in its character that
it VIII not secure to our state the results
we hope for, but its benefits as an auxiliary
TO a state organization Will nevertheless
be considerable. In the judgment OF the
undersigned the attracting 10 Washington
of a desirable class of immigrants must
and wi. come from the work OF state ana
county board or organizations, which are
absolutely essential to obtain the best re-
suits in that direction.
state Organization Essential.
The question Of forming a state organi-
cation was carefully considered by the
delegates from Washington. and it was
unanimously decided 10 respectfully re-
quest you 10 issue a call at an early date
TO the cities, villages and counties of this
state, and the commercial bodies therein,
to send delegates. IN such numbers as you
may decide, TO a state immigration con-
vention TO be held at such time and place
as in your judgment would best suit the
purpose. to form q state board or asso-
citation, so that an energetic, intelligent
and organized effort may be made TO n
duce immigration TO Washington, as il is
confidently expected that there Will be n
great number Of immigrants move from
the Eastern. Middle and Central states in
the spring and early summer of 1895, and
this state should not bo behind its neigh
bors in putting forth its best efforts to Sc
cure its full share. II was announced n
the St. Paul convention that many of the
states had already taken steps in the for
nation OF state associations, and those
who had not already done so announced
that they would upon their return TO the
various states.
1T was generally agreed by all parties
that the clasa OF immigrants to be sought
is such as VIII till the soil or develop our
latent resources rather than to live in our
cities: that the work should be directed
towards securing people TO settle the un-
occupied lands Of this state. In other
words. we want more rural. not urban,
population"
Mr.. Nadeau signs the report for the re-
naming delegates at the st. Paul con
vention as follows: ELS Morrison. W. j.
Morphy, Seattle; \. @. Foster, Albert
Whyte. E. L. Shafner, DR.. James Van
Marter. II. @. Foster, Tacoma; +. F. Ben
son. O.. a. Fechter. North Yakima; j. S.
ColIican, John Cain. Port Angeles; r. @.
Camwell. Fa.rhaven; II. Bolster, Spokane,
2. S. Combs. Cheney.