Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-08-17
Miseellaneous Readins.
THE IMMIGRATION QUESTION.
Interesting Observation From South
erner on the Spot.

Interesting Observation From South
erner on the Spot.
Correspondence Of the Yorkvills Enaulfsr.
INTBRLAKilN, Mass, August 13.-I
heard fine sermon yesterday by
the pastor Of the Congregational
church at this place, on the dangers
threatening our NATION on account Of
the great influx of foreigners. There
] is no doubt that the people Of this
section are as much concerned about
the immigrants that are pouring into
the country as we Of the Carolinas
are with the negro. New England
ministers quite frequently preach po-
litical sermons, so 1t was natural for
the discussion to turn to immigra-
| ton.
During the fiscal year, which ended
June 10th, there were 1.062,054 i'm
migrants applied for admission at
Ellis Island, ". Y. This number
would make two cities the size Of
Boston, but 1t isn't the number, but
the character of the immigrants, that
especially concerns us, for there Is
still plenty OF room in our broad
country. Southern Italy led in num-
bers with 221.606, while the Russian
Jews came next with $4,000. Ger
many sent 71,916. Now, Of course,
nearly all of these Italians and Jews
were of the poorer classes, and it is
extremely doubtful whether our
country will be much enriched by
their addition. Indeed It is far more
likely that our criminal classes will
be swelled from their numbers. Our
immigration laws are supposed to be
so constructed that no criminal can
enter our shores, but out of the mil
lion immigrants at Ellis Island last
year only one polygamist and 1s6
criminals were deported, so the laws
must not be rigidly enforced.
More than seven thousand were
excluded on account of disease, but
even this number must fall far short
of the many incurables admitted who
will later be charge on our govern
ment. Trachoma, chronic eye
disease commonly met with in south
ern Europe and the east, Is the dis
ease that caused more immigrants
to be returned than any other. I
went to Ellis Island some time ago on
a government tug to see the exami-
nation Of immigrants. The force of
employees and physicians seems in
adequate to handle the large crowds,
and part of the examination was SUI
perficiai, though the men seemed
earnest in the discharge of their duty
The party saw admitted were Rou-
manians and Italians and there was
certainly babel when they met their
friends on shore. didn't see many
among the thousand who looked as
if they would make desirable citi-
zens for York county, but perhaps I
am prejudiced.
For the Swedes, Danes, Germans
and people from northern Europe.
have a more friendly feeling. At
present, I have employed as cooks
and maids six girls and women
from Finland. They are from In
and around Helsingfors, the scene
Of The recent revolts against Russian
tyranny. Only one Of them speaks
English, so I know but little Of their
home conditions, but find them hon
est and capable. They are willing
TO work and very strong. Evidently
they have done heavy work in their
own country. I like them as SER
wants and think they would be use
full additions to a community.
Wages are a good bit higher In
this section than in South Carolina,
consequently the better class Of i'm
migrants will remain north. We pay
our cook $500 per month and ex-
penses, and the other help $14.00.
This is more than they could COM
mand In the south. In my judgment
the negro labor, though in many
ways incompetent, will yet keep out
for a good long while the foreign
element from our section. and in the
long run we will be just as we'll off,
If we improve our farming methods
and do our work on more scien-
tifc basis.
1t would amaze man who had
been accustomed to working good
land like some of that In York coun-
ty to see how these New Englanders
work these rocky hlllsides and make
living. They have no laying by"
time in which to go to picnics and
listen at political speakers. They
work all the time. are careful and
painstaking, keep their fences in
good repair, barns painted, lawns
moved and all around them looking
trim and neat. Labor Is high. Farm
hands get $500 per month and
board, and at present, in haying sea-
son, hands are worth $1.75 per day
Surely II they can make a living
and keep a bank account on land
such as they have here, Carolina
farmers will some day become
wealthy.
I have seen only two things here
in which the Yankees are much su-
perior to us and that is In good roads
and good schools. The roads are
built by contract labor, for the labor
unions wouldn't think Of allowing
convicts do public work. All the
country roads are as good and better
than the streets Of Yorkville. They
are macademized and have a top
dressing of gravel which is found In
natural deposits or gravel banks
through this locality.
Education is compulsory, schools
run forty weeks a year, everything
Is free, books, states, etc., and In win-
ter a man has contract to haul the
country children to school. In those
cases where they have to go to
| school on trolley cars the fares are
paid from the school fund.
There are some objections to their
system, of course, and am not ad-
vocating that South Carolina should
initiate Massachusetts in all such
things but have just mentioned