Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1895-02-08
Organize in the Counties.

From the Richmond Dispatch, Feb. 81
To the Editor OF the Dispatch:
Will you permit me to use the Dispatch to
call the attention of those who are anxious to
sell their land to the act of the last Legisla-
ture providing for the organization of county
immigration societies? While the bill did
not fill the wants of the State fully, it was
move in the right direction, and approved by
all the immigration conventions held. This
department has seen and known the value of
an intelligent, well-equipped agent visiting
the Northwest. The present time is more
proptious than any period heretofore. Thous-
ands of families are not only determined to
leave the Northwest, but they are leaving,
and in nearly every Southern State they are
exploring and examining locations. and
thousands more are coming and inquiring
The letters this department gets (and there
are many are as drop in the bucket to
those that go everywhere East, South, and
Southwest Many who have accumulated
something are retiring to Europe. Now this
department has neither law nor means to
grapple with this great move. Mr.. Kroner,
president of the State Board of Agriculture
in 1890, called attention to this state of af-
fairs then in his report. The move then was
to induce the people of the Northwestto leave
and to show them the advantage of Virginia
for home. Now the vast multitude of the
disappointed in the Northwest are leaving
and looking for place, and it was believed
that every county with surplus land would
avail itself of the plan of the General Assem-.
| bly,, organize and be ready to receive, con.
duct and sell to these immigrants. So far, on
| ly two counties have organized immigrant
| associations, nor are they prepared, so far as
| lam advised, to go actively to work. 1t is
| simply impossible that this department car
do what ought to be, and can be done. Coun
| ty associations were expected to correspond
with all inquiries make railroad arrange
| ments for immigrants, receive and take
charge of them in these counties, show them
the lands, and secure them homes at fail
prices. This takes men, time, and some
means, and is not the duty of this department
| or its board The considerable work they
have done and are doing is pro bono nublico
quote from a letter of the 25th of Janua
| ~ from gentleman in Aberdeen, South Da
kota. He says: 1--WE have had five crol
| failures, but we have asked no donations
while other States with one or two failures
call for aid-this shows what class we have
got But we want to get where failures are
not the rule" Again "The cost Of getting
to Southwest Virginia is so much more than
it is to either Texas. Alabama, or the other
Southwestern States that they get the most OF
the immigration. while most would prefer
Virginia if it wasn't for the extra expense. -
He then asks if there is no way to make ar
rangements for as cheap fare as to the South
west, as he believes 100 families would be
ready to start next season. have seen papers
from Nebraska with the lowest rates, some
times one cent per mile, advertised for South
western explorers. and men are here from
Nebraska who complained bitterly of the
cost this way. repeating what my correspon-
dent had said.
Now, 1t does ssenl to me, considering the
number of letters have received from SCUM
ties in nearly every section of the State ask
ing for the address of inquiries, and asking
that refer to them in answering letters, and
many other things that in every county there
are many anxious to sell their lands. Now,