The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-01-13

present system wellbuilt and durable highways cannot be hoped for,
as the present condition of our roads do we'll attest. Experience
will prove, l ana sure, that it is wise economy to spend time and
money in this work, and l believe that our people now realize this
sufficiently to be willing to defray whatever cost may be necessary.
In my judgment the various counties in our State should be given
TIL legal right to tax themselves for this purpose, should they deem
1t best to do SO. To this end, therefore, I recommend such leeisla-
ton as you may deem judicious and which will give to the counties
the right, by a majority vote, either to issue bonds n to lew a n
annual tax for road improvement. Money voted for the improve
ment OF our roads will be an excellent business investment, the value
OF which will be more appreciated every year. AS all citizens,
whether, in town OF county, will be equally benefited by such ar in
veament, it is but fair that all should be made to bear their share
OF the burden, and this can only be done by a tax upon property.
The. building of public highways is now a national question. Ma
uonal GOOD roads associations have been formed and arc, actively
at work to secure aid for this purpose from the National Govern
ment Senator Iatimer has been doing active and vigorous work
along this line and is very much interested. 1t seems to me that if
National aid is to be given for this work, there is no reason why we
in South Carolina should not have our share of such an appropria-
ton, The cooperation of our National Government in this matter
is no new policy. No particular State has paramount claims here
and it would, in my judgment, be an error for South Carolina not
&c eel her proportion OF any appropriation for the permanent
Improvement of our highways that may be available from this
source. The plethoric condition of the National treasury is a further
favorable consideration Of this aspect of the case.
BUREAU OF COMMERCE AND IMMIGRATION
The recent movement to secure immigration to or State gives me
great pleasure. have been profoundly impressed, during my adj
ministration as your Chief Executive, with the absolute need o. just
such work. We cannot afford to delay longer in this alEimportant
matter, and systematic business consideration is demanded by the
needs of the hour. Our resources are both varied and unlimited.
These embrace Is fertile lands a S can be found on the continent,
and at prices far below their intrinsic value; a climate unsurpassed,
allowing these lands to produce the entire year: mineral resources
OF the greatest abundance and of the rarest quality, with water
powers, variousy located and practically undeveoped. In addition
to all of this the cost of living, and of living we'll, has no lower
average and our health record is second to none.
Despite these facts we have been simply letting opportunities pass
by, because of no effort whatever on or part to let the outside
world know, in plain facts and figures, what we have to offer. Facts
and figures must be given and must be accurately and officially given.
These are absolutely necessary for a home-seeker generally has
nothing else to go upon. Other States, with far inferior advan-
tages, have in recent years seen these possibilities, and as a result are
reaping golden harvests.
The time is now ripe for such a move the part of our State,
and, viewing the present markets, the commercial conditions-Na-
fiona! m international Darticu1or1v tbe co,,tr'. -oI,.:-.. - A..
West Indies and the Isthmus-those who wish to see South Caro-
lima strike the crest of the wave should urge that action be now
taken in this matter.
Any movement to induce immigration in order to be successful
must be thoroughly organized and skifuly directed, and this, in
my Judgment, can best be done by the State itself. Nearly all of
the Northern and Western States have Bureaus Of Immigration,
with a Commissioner in charge, and every effort is being made to
attract desirable settlers. Many Of the Southern States also arc
at work. Alabama has such an office, With a Commissioner of Agri-
culture and Industries, and much has been accomplished for the
State. North Carolina has all Immigration Department connected
with the Department of Agriculture, and Maryland maintains such
a department under the direction of a Commissioner of the Land
ofHee. In other States similar bureaus, varying in the scope of the
work, are maintained, and they are having a most telling effect.
We, on the other hand, are doing nothing. Frequent inquiries
Ire 1ad IN regard to our resources, but there is no one in a posi-
ton to furnish official information, and the inquirer goes elsewhere.
II today we manage to secure one settler annually from abroad out
of the hundreds of thousands coming, it is merely by chance. Out
OF the o48T43 immigrants who came to the country in 1902, $4,000
were farmers and farm laborers; $4,000 were classed as skilled, and
5000 professional men were included III the grand total. Many
of these came with money to invest. 1t is estimated that the aver
age Scotch immigrant comes with not less than $500 in cash.
Surely all these are most desirable, and we cannot afford longer to
sit idly by and allow none of them to come to is.
am profoundly impressed with the needs Of the situation, and
recommend, therefore, in view of the advantages w e have to offer
and of the great need Of utilizing them, the establishment of a Blu
reau of Commerce and Immigration, with a Secretary or Commits
sioner in charge of this department.
OFFICIAL COMPILATION OF CONFEDERATE RECORDS.
A matter of great Importance, not only to South Carolina but
to a much larger territory, which very specifically includes the
South, well deserves a place i'll this Message. This relates to a
recent Act of Congress, which Act provides for "A complete roster
of the Federal and Confederate Soldiers in the War Between the
States"
The Honorable, the Secretary of War, notified me Of the passage
of this Act after the adjournment of your honorable BODY, which
1 very much regret, as I should have been pleased to have had the