The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1905-11-23
TALK ON IMMIGRATI ton
What Seer; airy Hudson Has o
Say on This Subject.
GEORGIA OPENS WIDE HER GATES

1EOhGiA OPENS WIDE HEX CAT Els
The Scarcity of Labor and the unreli-
ability of Negroes as Farm HANDS
Is a Grave Problem that the South
Is Now Facing.
The scarcity of labor and the fact
that the negro is becoming yearly
more unreliable as a tiller of the soil,
have conspired to make the subject
OF immigration one of intense interest
to the planters of the South. Hith-
erto our people have been accustomed
to feel and to say that negro labor is
the hest for the cotton fields. But
more than once have we heard the
wish expressed that we could bring in
a class of better laborers who could
be depended upon to keep their con,
tracts and to take hold of all the i'm.
proved methods of cultivation. Some
nave suggested the bringing in of Chi
nese as a solution of the labor prob
lem; but we do not favor tne intro.
ductlon OF any more inferior races with
the consequent risk of mongrel pop
ulation in these Southern States.
We favor immigration, but if it is
possible to do So we would have a
strict quarantine against even large
class of European immigrants, and
much more so against Asiatics.
There was time when no questions
were asked concerning the class of
European immigrants that came to our
SHORES, and we threw open our doors
to welcome the poor and the oppressed
OF every nation of white people. as
surfing them in the words of one of our
once favorite songs,
Uncle Sam has room enough
To give you all a farm"
But it has been learned from sad
experience that the pauper criminal
class that every year flock to our
shores, collect in places here and
there, especially in our large cities
and are the breeders of Iawlessness
and anarchy.
From the establishment of the gov
eminent of the United States until
1882 every encouragement was given
to the foreigner to come and no cues.
lions were asked as to previous char.
acter. The first immigration act
passed by congress was in 1864, AMI
this was to promote ana not restrain
1t. This act was repealed four years
later On the 3rd of August, 1882, the
first restrictive act was passed, for the
purpose ofbarring out criminals insane
and paupers, all of whom were to be
returned at the expense of the owners
OF the vessels on which they had
come. The Secretary of the Treasury
was empowered to carry it out AMI
make suitable regulations, including
contracts with the State officials.
On the 28th of February, 1885, a
still more drastic act was passed, pro
hlbiting any laborer to come over
under contract to work. 1t failed to
except professional nren or skilled Ia.
borers and, while it was aimed at
strike-breakers and cheap gangs, was
enforced by fanatical or interested
persons against artists, musicians
architects and even clergymen to the
discredit Of the country's good sense
and to the point of making our gov.
eminent ridiculous in the eyes of the
world. 1t has since been somewhat
modified, so as to remedy to some
extent these defects. In 1891 the act
or 1882 was 80 amended as to include
all assisted" immigrants and the
whole matter placed in the hands of
the general government.
The act of the 3rd Of March. 1909
further amended it by requiring a pre-.
hmlnary examination at the point OF
departure and giving the government
the right to deport the immigrant
landed in defiance of the act within
TWO years after arrival 1t was ex
tended against all persons advocating
the overthrow of all governments and
the assassination of public officials
The number of persons deported M
to 1900, out of 3,88442O immigrants
was only 28184.
Georgia opens wide her gates to all
foreigners Of good character. whether
they be rich or poor, and bids them
come in with welcome to all that
our laws can give to make secure their
right to life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness.
We would add, however, that we
prefer immigration from our brethren
OF the North and West, Americans
already familiar with American laws
customs and institutions.
But rightfully those whom we thus
invite ask of US, What have You to
offer?" We offer homes in the midst
OF as hOSDitabla and C0SFaor;n =