The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-01-27
THE IMMIGRATION CONVENTION.
The Legislature viii be Asked to
Establish a State Bureau.


The State immigration society met
last evening in the senate chamber
and decided upon a definite course Of
action. 1t was finally agreed, after
interminable discussion and delay. to
appoint committee to draft suitable
resolutions to send to the general as
sembly. This subcommittee, however,
will meet with the executive commit
tee at IL o'clock this morning and will
submit the resolutions for ratification
before they are handed to the legisla-
ture.
The meeting was opened with Mr..
4. j. Matheson in the chair. 1t was
easily seen that The new movement
will soon gain ground, for it is hear
tily commended. and is in the hands
OF earnest, intelligent and patriotic
men.
At the beginning Of the meeting re-
ports were made by the representa-
tipes of the various counties. In
Edgefiela othing has been done, ow-
ing to the absence from tbe county OF
hir.. Rainsferd, the committeeman.
Richland, too, has been little tested.
Mr. Scott, Of Newberry. was deeply
interested in the subject of immigra-
ton. He had recently visited New
York and had seen many immigrants
who were anxious to come south, but
who were penniless. He had inter
ested an Ohioan with a fortune OF two
and half millions SO much that he
had purchased land near Newberry.
UnfortnnatelY, said Mr.. Scott, this
gentleman had been advised to settle
in Mississippi rather than South Car
olina, the advice being given by a
paid oficiel Of South Carolina. Mr.
Scott did not disclose the name,
though he is in possession Of it.
Dr. J. FL. David, Of Marion. was
encouraged by the outlook in his
county. He urged the appoint ntment of
an additional worker In his county.
Mr.. Knox Livingstone, speaking for
Marlboro, said that as the movement
had been born there he was sure that
the necessary money would be quickly
supplied. In Marion there are now
l25 farms uncultivated. Mr. Mathe-
son, supplementing Mr.. Livingstone's
remarks, announced that Marlboro
had 81, 500 subscribed.
Capt. W. D. Moore, Of York. an
nounced that though little had been
done in the way of subscri ptions yet.
he felt that contributions would be
made. He shought the present plan
of raising money, however, was TOO
slow.
Mr. Dabbs, of Sumter, had 'circu-
lated the news Of the movement
through the Sumter papers, but un-
fortunately no one had contributed.
Sentiment In his county was divided,
though he was so thoroughly enthusi-
astic that he wanted suggestions that
would help to convert the skeptics.
Mr.. VIM Goldsmith, Jr.. thought
that Greenville would take up the
idea. At recent meeting when Mr..
NJ. ". Richards, the land and indus
trial agent of the Southern railway,
spoke The interest in immigration was
manifest.
In Greenville the need is to supply
the place of the native people who
have gone into the mills. Mr.. E. W.
McCown spoke of the circulation OF
the idea in Florence county through
the press.
Mt. Banks, of orangeburg, regretted
that the idea had not been spread in
his county. The county population is
now about five negroes to one white,
the labor Of she former being at g low
rate Of pay.
Mr. Bigham Of Chester said that
the towns were depopulating the coun-
try. for tha farmers are coming to the
mills. The country is unoccupied.
waiting for immigrants and must be
kept up or the cities will die. Every
city must have cultivated country
round about. Scotch already consti-
tute large part of Chester and he
thinks that Scotch would be the right
SORT of immigrants to encourage tc
settle there
Mr.. 81. S. Addison of Greenwood
would like to see desirable class Of
thrifty citizens come to the State ano
thought that this was the sentiment
of his county.
Col. D. A. Spivey of Horny felt the
necessity of immigration and thought
there would be no trouble in raising
the money. There is now colony in
Horny brought from the north and the
west and which is doing well. Most Of
them are truck farmers now. Mr..
Burroughs also of Conway discussed
the colony more fully and described
its organization and present status.
Nj. Dabbs introduced resolution,
first, asking the legislature to estab.
lish bureau Of immigration, which
should keep the proper statistics and,
second, to employ an agent who should
visit foreign countries to tell theil
people of South Cardinals advantages.
Mr. E. j. Watson, secretary of the
local Chamber of Commerce, empha.
sized the need of bureau. He want.
cd bill framed to be sent to the leg.
islature.
Mr.. Livingstone spoke along the
came line as Mr.. Watson and proposed