The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-10-24
LABOR FOR THE FARMS AND I'M.
MIGRATION.

tions of North Carolina. and it was fit
ting that it should be discussed by the
State Agricultural Society in Raleigh this
week. The discussion was opened by Mr.
James A. Bryan, of New Bern. who is
thus reported in yesterdays News and
Observer:
Mr.. Bryan said he considered that this
Society could look into the question OF
labor. In his section of the State, IN
Craven and neighboring counties, it was
practically impossible to secure labor
That seemed to him the primal matter of
Importance to the farmers of the State,
at least in his part of the State. In his
country they could not get man to pillow
OH account of the high prices paid for
labor by the lumber mill men. And they
were even putting up their prices on the
timber people. These timber men were
literally skinning the country. The peo-
pie who had sold their timber in that
country were actually poorer today than
they were before they sold it. These tim
Der men would estimate a piece of timber
land at four million feet and get eight,
and in some cases eleven millions. That
timber wealth was literally going out of
the country, and most of it was going
North. That the eastern part of the State
was actually retrograting
HE spoke of splendid, rich plantations
abandoned, and the country going back
just because labor could not be secured
He thought this was the most appropriate
body to take some action to stimulate the
work of the State in getting immigration
90 -
not be many years before we will nead
more white men in the State to take con-
troll of affairs. If this matter could not
be taken UP by the State officials, then
the matter should be brought to the at
tention of the next Legislature.
After general interchange of views, it
was resolved to appoint committee tc
consider this question which concerns The
whole State vitality. being of peculiar III
terest to the farmers. The Society does
well to consider plans of cooperation
with the State. the railroads and the
State could at once and without injury
but with benefit to every citizen Of
North Carolina, support population
twice as large as now resides within the
borders of the State. and efforts ought 20
be made to secure desirable immigrants.
Senator Simmons. in conjunction with
the owners of large bodies of land IL
Eastern North Carolina, has been giving
some attention to securing a colony OF
Italians from Southern Italy. They are
said to be Industrious and thrifty and it is
believed they would suit the agricultural
needs of Eastern North Carolina.
With reference to the important ques-
ton of securing more immigrants for
North Carolina, the following extract
from letter received from Mr.. j. W.
White, General Industrial Agent of the
Seaboard Air Line, is directly in line;
1--WE are receiving thousands of in
quiries, each month, from parties nov
located in the North and Northwest,
seeking information regarding o,:- Terri
tory. They have read how the South
since 1880 has increased its population
about so per cent, and the value OF lUe
manufactured and mineral products have
81 $50, 600, coo or a gain of 25S per cent.
"These inquiries. as whole. are from
a good, substantial class of people, with
from $1,000 to 100000 individually, and
from $50 900 to $4,000 in colonies, to in
vest in lands suitable for general farm
ing, stock-raising dairying, fruit and
truck growing. They have been told of
the marvellous profits realized from ag
rioultural pursuits in the South; of land:
producing two, three even four crops
per annum; they know our farmers car
ry on out of door work twelve months
in the year; that they own over one
half the money deposited in our banks;
that few of. them are mortgaged, except
for investment purposes, and none of
them are debt ridden; our schools and
churches compare favorably with their
own; that our transportation facilities
are unexcelled; that our tax rates are
low and our climate conducive to health.
These conditions appeal to and attract
the home-seeker, many thousands, con-
sidering a move South, have written Tor
rates and lists of property available tor
purchase. These people state they are
heart-sick and weary of constant toll
battling against an .unfavorable, cruel
climate, with devastating droughts, or
else SHOWS, sleets rains, freezes and biz
yards. They want to dwell among US
The eye of the manufacturer is also on
the South, and we are daily receiving
communications regarding eligible loca-
TONS
Since the above was in type. the New
Bern Journal of yesterday has come to
hand and has story showing that Por-
tuguese labor is being introduced into
Craven county. The story in the Journal
is as follows:
"A. b. Dawson who went to New Bed
ford, Mass, last week to secure Portu-
guese laborers for persons here returned
with them yesterday on the steamer
Ocracoke. There were LOG in the number,
II ors15 of them being women
1T will be remembered that these Portu-
guese are the same who were brought
here last spring from the wreck of the
barkentine Vera Cruz VII, near Ocracoke,
and later taken to New Bedford, for
L L a., Il.