The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-08

There IS a very decided movement on
behalf Of Canada to stimulate immigration
after a long period OF inactivity. Twenty
five years ago. there was great composition
between the United States. Canada and
Australia for newcomers. Inducements.
which still live In the homestead law.
were held out In every direction and some
OF the best types Of American citizenship
are the product Of those times. In every
conspicuous place In every part OF Europe
were the invitations posted. and one OF
the most suggestive and most popular.
more strictly limited to the united King
dom, was a double picture called The
Irish Emigrant-" one represented broth
OF a boy. but with bare feet. his breeches
ragged in spite of patches. his dudheen
stuck In his dilapldated hat, and in his
hand a red cotton handkerchief contain
Ing all his worldly belongings. He was
about to take his departure Ito the West.
10 the land OF the free" The other panel
pictured him as standing on the dock at
New York preparing TO pay visit 10
the old country. There was prosperity
in every line OF his features. and in every
curve OF his garments. He was the ideal
Westerner with his stout. comfortable
shoes. corduroy pants, velveteen vest. big
watch chain. luxurious cigar. silk neck
tie and well-flled vallse. That picture
tempted many a son OF Erin and Of other
lands to cast his lot with those beyond the
sea II was treasured as a beacon by
many poor fellow who had not the
means TO take advantage OF even the low
terms offered BY emigrant ships. and Of
fertile prairie land. of plentiful timber.
and OF free institutions offered by the
United States.
Canada and Australia were no less act
ive and for years the British isles gave
up their tens of thousands annually. until
the great domain OF land became surfeited
and the reaction set In. The productions
OF these settlers and their sons have
grown so enormously that they have dis
turbed the economic conditions OF the
world. But Il meant food. employment.
comfort. even fortune, 10 many who. ex-
cept for these new avenues. would have
died out in despairing submission to pri-
world
There seemed no possibility. the sug-
gestion was never heard. that there would
be too much crowdlng on the American
continent. There has not been too much
erowding but 1t has been done too rapidly
and IL has not been evenly distributed.
IL was not fortunes that were sought:
II was the opportunity to get enough TO
eat and decent place OF shelter. The
immigrants worked hard and slept sound
~: they had few comforts. but they had
no creditors. no rent-rackers. no fear of
dispossession in old age. And this Is not
only sim 10 be had BY those who follow
their plans. but Il Is 10 be had by many
millions more.
Canada has assimilated the last impor-
tation. and now seeks new hands 70
clear n the vacant lands and settle them
up. The plan is to encourage those who
have $50 or saoo 20 make up colony OF
thirty or forty each. and TO such as these
British Columbia offers liberal induce
men,s. The government requires each
grantee 10 possess $40 over all debts; II
makes n conditional agreement TO trans
fer tract OF land without any payment
whatever at the end Of Ave years provided
that the grantee shall have made i'm
proyements 20 the value OF $ per acre.
and with his family shall have lived upon
Il. It Is required that there shah be
thirty members OF the colony. and when
each has constructed = dwelling house the
government viii construct wagon road
through the colony.
These are liberal terms. and the North.
ern Pacific railroad could do much 20
build up this state and It's own business
Il 81 sold SIS lands on terms which. while
scarcely 50 generous would be tempting
enough % induce inmig-a ton.