The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1905-09-05
AIKEN ON IMMIGRATION.
Views of the Third District Congress
man-The Arguments in Favor
of Inducing Settlement OF
Good Men rom For
eign Countries.
Barnwell People.

Barnwell People.
We have a double pleasure III pub
fishing Congressman Aiken's argu-
ment. It puts Our friends positions
fuliv before the public. Made by a
strong. clean man, his argument IS
the abIest and most exhaustive pre-
sentation OF his appreciation OF eS-
listing conditions and the remedies
for the ills We bear. Therefore, the
greater will be our happiness in prov
inc that he seeks to build upon SHIFT
inc, treacherous sand and winning
him back to stand Oh the bed rock OF
faith in our own people, as always
prepared and always equal to every
crisis and condition.
We gladly give him the floor this
week and warn him to wear a thick
Jacket when we take up his case for
decision.
ADDeVillc, august q, 19Oo.
Editor Barnwell People: In your
recent editorial, reviewing my speech
in congress on immigration, you ask
who would be benefited b. immlgra-
ton to the state, and why?
Before entering upon the discussion
OF the subject allow me to express
my appreciation Of the complimentary
reference made to my speech; aside
from Our difference Of opinion as to
the exDediency OF immigration.
Not having had the bill before you,
in support OF which the speech was
made. I fear that you attribute to
me more radical views on this sub
iect than I have entertained or have
undertaken to inculcate.
The bill which I introduced was in
fact restrictive in is nature. 1t pro-
v;ded for an information bureau on
Ellis Island where a representative OF
each state should be furnished suit
able apartments by the United States
government, and should be given
every assistance by the government
in the intelligent selection and dis
tributon Of immigrants. Once an
immigrant has passed inspection,
however, worthless it may be, he IS
free to roam as his fancy dictates.
Now / would not encourage this IN
discriminate class and fortunately 1t
is not the policy Of the state to do so.
The immigration agent OF the state
is forbidden by statute TO solicit I'M
mierants from any nationalltles eN-
ceot those from whence came your
forefathers and mine. Nor are We OF
the south in great danger OF over
flow OF worthless and thriftless ele-
ment unsolicited. They reside IN
large populous centres in the old
world and naturally gravitate TO sim
liar surroundings in this country.
Granting. as. ! am sure you will,
that I have not advocated the sollc-
;tation OF any save desirable imml-
grants OF approved natlonallues, l
ask the question: what could be the
ob:sc-;oo :,noralIy, religiously. So
ciailv. financially. politically Or etern-
allv" to having our untenanted lands
settled with those who may claim
with Us common ancestry?
A Necessity.
May I not 60 a step further and
add that financially and politically
the demand for a larger white popula-
ton is little short OF a necessity:
The trainers OF tie last state constl-
tuition in dealing with the suffrage
question did no. claim to have &C
comp1ished more than a temporary
eSoed;ent Some have seen in de-
clining birth rate. OF the part OF the
negro. all ultimate white majority
and hope by some hocus pocus to
maintain white supremacy until that
time. Unfortunately, however, sta
tisr;cs do not bear out this idea.
The latest census report shows that
while The negro birth rate steadily de-
clined since 1880 the same is true Of