The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-08-23
Mr.. AIKEN'S POSITION.
He Explains the National Law on the
Subject of immigration and
Tells About His Bill.

Nlr. Editor: have learned that
the national immigration bill and my
>?c2ch in support OF it are subjects
-; '>::,,::::,? ~ and some criticism in
.vrtuin sections OF this district at this
;::ii:?~. Some OF those who see
">?"okS" in the bill claim that its
purpose is to bring in foreign ele-
ment who would compete with our
mill people
\ large proportion OF Anderson's
ropalation is engaged in manufac-
turing. They have made this coun-
~ one OF the first in the south and
the: deserve in great measure the
recommendation OF the whole people.
I am opposed unalterably to any
measure detrimental to their inter-
es,> but in a spirit OF fairness we
mast first be convinced that such
measure is detrimental to their in
Ie-eStS.
Careful examination Of both the
bill and OF my speech on immigration
reveals not one line indicating a
policy which is in any sense detri-
mental to the interests OF mill people.
The whole tenor OF my speech advo-
Gates the introduction OF farm la
borerS and farm owners and that.
too. in sections Of country which are
wasting away ior lack OF sufficient in
telligent white labor to properly cul-
tivate the soil. The bill has no bear
ing on immigration further than to
guard against the influx OF worth
less immigrants, and to provide a
means OF selecting the best amongst
those whom the L. S. government
has already admitted. While the
measure is an excellent one, and
could result only III good in selecting
high class population to lake the
places Of those who have turned from
farming to the manufacturing field.
still it does not and cannot compel
any state to take advantage of it that
does not elect to do so. In case
state should elect to avail itself Of
the provisions of such a law the bill
requires that the y. S. government
shall furnish the states agent with
quarters and such information as will
enable him to guard against worth
less immigrants in his selections. The
bill is in every sense discriminative
and restrictive in its provisions and
narrows rather than wldens the
doors of immigrants. The fact is,
the good people who now operate
orr cotton mills were once the main
stay of our farming population and
III consequence OF, their change OF
occupation farm lands are idle and
improbable. In many sections OF
the state we are advancing in manu-
featuring but it is too often at the
expense OF declining agriculture. The
necessity for white immigrants is
not so apparent IN Anderson county
If indeed it exists al ali. hi. Ander-
son county serves as a splendid object
lesson when it is compared with
other counties of the state wich have
a thin white population. Our land
is owned mainly by small white far
mers who look to its preservation
and upbuilding, and the consequence is
it is three times as valuable CONNER
ciaily as that of counties less favored
in the matter Of white citizens. Would
any man in Anderson county say that
the county would be more prosper
Gus if half our white population
moved out of ito Would this not be
considered an absurd proposition?
Then it follows that county that
has less than half the white popula-
ton per square mile is just to that
extent poorer and less prosperous
than we are when on that population
production depends. If Anderson
county does not need them you may
be sure they will not come here. If
YOU do not want them they cannot