The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1904-04-13
BACK FROM NEW YORK
Commissioner Watson Well Pleased
With Prospect for immigration.
GREAT INTEREST IN THE EAST.
The South's Opportunities for Set
tiers and Investments Are
Attracting gAttention
in All Classes.

Attracting "A CCent1
in All Classes.
The Columbia State says Col. E.
Watson, commissioner of commerce
and immigration of South Carolina,
returned Wednesday evening after
ten days trip to New York in the
interest Of the new work of which he
has been placed in charge.
The commissioner has the faculty
Of taking up everything he does un-
dertake with enthusiasm, and this in
stance is no exception. He is highly
pleased with the results Of his trip
and seems fully imbued with deter
mination to accomplish something in
the field to which be has been called.
The interview and editorial is re-
produced from the New York Sun
show that Col. Watson Caught on''
in New York, as such paper as The
Sun does not open its columns to a
nobody.
Soon after reaching the city
Wednesday night Col. Watson had a
talk with Gov. Hayward and the
governor was well please with the in
formal report which he made. Wednes-
day the governor received the follow
ing note from Mr.. William Williams
of the New York department. of COM
merce and labor:
Mr.. E. J. Watson, the head Of
your department Of agriculture, COM
merce and immigration called at Ellis
Island today with your letter Of in
PRODUCTION; 1t gave me great pleas
ure to see him and I will assist him
to the extent Of my ability on his
present mission to the east"
When seen Wednesday night Com
missioner Watson talked most inter-
estingly of his trip and the prospects
for his work. While all that he had
learned, considered and undertaken
could not be reviewed in the time
then at his disposal he consented, to
tell of few things that had come un-
der his observation.
Il have been in the eaSt," he said,
''for the last ten days giving the most
earnest attention to the southern i'm
migration problem, and arranging all
the preliminaries for the founding of
the work Of the new State department
upon substantial basis. knew at
the outset that the work was one OF
many ramifcations, and that speedy
action and vigorous measures would
be necessary. Since studying all con-
ditions and the methods employed by
the trunk lines of the west and the
transatlantic steamship companies,
who control the great bulk Of the ever
infowing tide Of foreign population, I
can say 9hat the task ahead Of us Is
no easy one.
II am greatly gratifed at the man
ner in which l was met by the officials
of the government and by those who
really control the tide Of immigra-
tion, and feel that the first fortnight
of the new departments career. has
been well utilized.
What struck me most forcibly in
the east was the widespread interest
in all circles Wall street or
on Ellis Island, or in eastern business
or official circles, or at the national
capitial-in the movement in the
south for immigration and emigra-
tion. The federal government, l
gathered, would be glad to see the
tide turn southwark, thus preventing
the congestion in large centres of
commerce and the consequent miSap-
plication of intelligent farming classes
to trades and callings for which they
are totally unfit, resulting in depor-
taJiOns. Never have the eyes OF the
east been so thoroughly turned to the
middle south not only in population
movements but in investments. The
fasteners realize the value Of our re-
sources better than our own people,
and l have received the heartieSt as
surances of earnest aid and co-opera-
tion on all lines.
In Washington the liveliest inter-
est is manifested on all sides, as has
been manifested by the prompt, favor
able action taken on Senator Sim
mons immigration information meas
ure. am more than ever convinced
of the opportuneness of the move
ment launched in this State, and l
sincerely trust our effort will be
crowned with success. One danger
is in the people expecting too great
, results in a'short time. The work is
necessarily slow, and when 1T is based
upon determination to handle
only such matters as posses the
elements of success, patience is an es-
} sential. However, trust results can
, be shown in certain branches OF the
work at an early date. Another dan
ger is in the possibility of landowners
wishing prices for their lands at flrs6
: that will make their utilization ditfl-
: cult. trust that this danger Will
! not materailze. In a few days a call
: will be issued for information wanted
, Immediately in this office concerning
( available lands, and official blanks
calling for the exact information will
be furnished the land owners. The
II. !