The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-09-22

communities against the supremacy of the law is almost unknown.
 It appears logical. therefore, that the immigrant to Alabama who has been educated and taught the duties and re- sponsibilities of citizenship and wh, has observed and obeyed the law, be- cause 1t Is the law. not because the government is monarchical, will ob- serve and obey the laws of the United States, and of Alabama, not because it is A republic. but because 1t Is law. The limitation upon immigrants as to citl- zenship, that is that they must live in the United States for five years, is certainly sufficient time in which to in. form themselves of the principles of our energy and ambition of immigrants should be considered. It stands to req son that the farmer in England Scot land or Germany, for example, who makes a living. educates his children, and who sends at least one of the boys to a university under the circum- stances and environments by which he is surrounded demonstrates his capa- btlity as a producer. Such a person in Alabama would undoubtedly not only increase his own worldly wealth, cf- fort and happiness. but would certainly add to the wealth and influence of the State. Immigration therefore. restrict ed to that class of foreigners who are honest, patriotic. law abiding, indus trious and capable would undoubtedly add greatly to the wealth and influence of Alabama and would rebound to the interest of the property owners of the State.
 How to Obtain Immigration. [, The South produces more than 80 per cent of the cotton of the world. Cotton culture in Egypt, Asia Minor, Greece. Southern Italy and other countries has been attempted. more or less, for more than two thousand years Since the invention of the cotton gin and cotton spinning and weaving machinery, there has been every inducement to these countries to produce cotton and up to this time they have practically failed, and 1t Is believed by most thinkers on this subject that they will never succeed. Therefore, giving to the South natural monopoly of this essential and important commodity. It there fore follows that unaided by govern ment natural economies. which operate in the distribution of the various forms of industry, will ultimately bring to the Southern States immigrants from all countries to take advantage of their natural resources, especially in the cui- ture of cotton. But the question Is to hasten this consummation through the instrumentality of governmental inter- vention. It appears to me, therefore, that there should be at the earliest opportunity, laws enacted in Alabama to promote immigration into the State, by advertising her resources and eE- couraging and helping desirable imml- grants to locate in the State. The lands in Alabama could be bought. rented or leased by these immigrants The large plantations of the State could be leased in small bodies of 40 to 50 and to acres, for a number of years, for mon ey rental, and in that way tenant sys- tenn, with industrious, honest and intel ligent white tenants would come intc vogue and the land owner greatly eH- riched thereby. Lands that are now idle because of no demand could be sold or leased in small quantities and in that way be made available for our agricultural development. In addition to the laws upon this subject there should be full cooperation of the var ious industrial and commercial inter ests of the State. Of these, the com mon carriers or railroads are the most important.
 I believe 1t to be to the interest of the railroads to encourage transportd- ton by low rates of transportation Tor persons and property. who desire to seek homes in Alabama; not merely the one item of transportation for the per son and property when they come to Alabama but for the greatly increased product of their labor. which would have to be freighted to market. The great class of non-producers, merchants and professional occupations would certainly be benefited not only by an in creased number of customers and cli- ents but also by more productive and thrifty class, thus adding enormously 10 the revenue of the commercial and pro- fessional classes.
 I think the time has come when the South should embrace the opportunity afforded in immigration. and thereby build up It's waste places and augment and increase the profits of its agricul- ture and industry.
 South's Raw Materials.
 Not only should the South aspire to the further development of its re- sources but 1t should also aspire D the manufacturers of its raw materials. Nature has provided the South. and es- pecially Alabama. with water power and cheap and limitless fuel for gen erating steam power, and all the cotton produced, especially in this State, should also be manufactured into yarn and cotton goods In this State. This can never be done with the population as now constituted in- Alabama.
 AS 10 the uetAllS OL neceS- sary to promote immigration, will not at this time discuss but the policy of the State in my judgment. for the req sons given in this paper, should be in the direction Of encouraging intelligent. industrious and honest white ummi- grants from our northern States and from the countries Of Europe. A mil lion white people introduced into this State would not only double the value OP hx It but would solve in a great measure, our social and political problems, which are only solvable by this method
 In the preparation of this paper, am indebted to MT. Michel H. Screws, recording secretary of the Governor for valuable assistance in collecting the statistics therein contained.
 At the night session. the association heard a number of addresses, includinA from Carat Rlchrnn II