The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-02-23
IN ENGLISHMAN on IMMIGRATION

~
His Views on rhe Methods That Must
Be Employed to Brin.. Immi-
grants to South Carolina.
TO the Editor of The State:
/ have been much interested in read
ing reports in the newspapers express
Ing public opinion on the question OF
introducing into the State of South
Carolina 4 class of European immi-
srants-farmers, who in some respects
are less ambitious than American
farmers-a class Of people who Will be
content with small farms, say 70, ~
or 80 acres Of ground. I am told that
the south has enough even now OF
common laborerS. and that the nced
is simply those who will enter the
State and buy up the large tracts Of
lands and convert them into small
farms. -,
The peasantry Of France have small
farms which they till with artistic
skill and reap excellent aarVests 1or
their industry. They are a thrifty
people, save their money and at times
Of great financial depression have saw
bankruptcy. These French peasants
live in rural villages and go daily to
their little farms, which may be dis
tant from one to three miles from the
domestic roof. Under prevailing cir
cunstances- it would hardly be prac-
ticable to introduce such a system In
this country. It would be better to
follow out the American method.
farm for each farmer OF say so to loV
acres with the dwelling in which the
family It to abide on the farm.
But how will the better class OF
European immigrants be attracted to
the south? It must not be forgotten
that the farmers and immigrants from
Europe have been attracted in vast
numbers to the great northwest. where
millions Of acres are yet nnoccopieo;
that western Canada is, attracting set
tiers by. furnishing free farms and
homes for all who will. come. By rail-
road companies and local communities
thousands Of dollars are being ex-
pended to get these settlers on those
lands. Now, the south has no free
homesteads. but every one who enters
the Stateiand secures d farm must pay
Tor It. The. western people reckon
every healthy. ,laborinS man who
makes a pern"nent home in a COM
nunity to be worth;to the place
sum not less than $1,000. That is, If
100 able-bodied, industrious and enter
prising men should settle in farming
community. they add to the perman-
ent wealth Of the locality 100000.
should say such an estimate is very
conservative for there may be among
the 100 half "a dozen men who alone
would add more than twice that sum
to- the taxa ~le%rweaRhNo Nof that COM
,rG,InitS. s;S::'2s z.
: Bit siSoE shall the. immigrants be
ohtainedN One man haying a thousand
3or more acreS for. sale cannot afford to
equip and ma intain &C an Immigration
5reafs sestate Office for the purpose Of
finding purchasers, for his lands. A
town, SeoHpty. Immigration association
and the 4Saate. acting in conjunction
with railroad, companies. may adver-
stise the Agricultural. Commercial and
manufacturing Advantages through
newspapers, circulars, folders. etc. and
distribute them through, the mails all
over the land. They will do some good
and IN time viii bring some people.
But that Is not an which is needed.
Itremember once spending aEweek on a
cotton: plantation a short distance out
from --Yazoo city, Miss. The planter
was. r native tAlabaraiar1. He: had: p
beaHtifgl place Of many thousands Of
acres.and one of: the finest in the State.
One morning. his good lady said they
must send TO distant orchard for
fruit and to q garden for vegetables
for; the, table. T said to my friend. !.
why. Is this? Why do you not on
yonder rising ground plant your orch
ard and cultivate your garden rege-
tables, have your meadows for hay
nv -f<srYs
ducing these necessary supplies at
home's,you will save money" He re-
Piled. Il ( only. make cotton. If you
want to kindle fire with the suns
rays. use the sEn-glass to concentrate
all the rays OF the sun at one spot and
ii; will scorch it,
- would. apply this process Of ana
logical reasoning TO secure people to
become permanent residents Of the
State OF South Carolina. I think it
would be unwise to waste. money in
initiating plan Of work and then
suffer it to lanSuish for want Of sup
port An agricultural commissioner
with secretary to begin the business
is only first step. The department
must be amply supported. This work
they must get them. They must go
where these people are to be found
and must select just such families as
Will be most suitable. You don't want
all that come out Of a ship. You want
them selected. Of course YOUR COM
missioner will have his principal Office
in the capitalsof the State. but he
must have an office in the city of
New York. No. matter what the cost
may be, even 100000 in this work Will
be profitable investment. When you
get 5000 or 10000 of these people into
your State and they are content, they
Will advertise the advantages Of the |
State all over Europe without cost. |
But the expense at the start must be
borne by the State. The newspapers |
of the State. publishing gratuitously |!
communications like this and others |
descriptive Of the country, are doing |
their part most literally. Every To- !
cality and every individual should do !
a part.
AS the Albanian said. focus the |
suns rays" Owners Of large tracts !
of land. some Improved and some not
want to sell so as TO be
getting an income. They are getting
nothing now. They. better sell these
lands to the immigrants, if they be of
the right kind. even with a very small |
payment down and in small yearly
payments and at q low rate of interest.
1t will take pretty much all the ready
the immigrant has to get 4
start with implements and stock for
50, $~ 6SySr f1,l