The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-12-27
Was First Ruling Made By
New Head of Commerce
ON IMMIGRATION CASES
States May Induce immigration With
cut Violating the Alien Contract
i Labor LaW-South Carolina
-. Case is Decided.

; A washington special says: The
first decision rendered by the newly
installed secretary of the department
Of labor was in the interest of the
south, and upholds the right Of state
TO induce immigration.
Fhe decision holds, in brief, that,
in the circumstances, there is no Vlo-
lation of the immigration laws or OF
the law to prohibit the importation Of
alien contract laborers in the action
of the state of South Carolina, in
this particular case, in encouraging
immigration to the state or in paying
the extra expenses Of the immigrants
s In coming to the state.
A similar ruling will beyond doubt
be made on the plans proposed by
the Georgia immigration society.
It is pointed out that there is
very essential difference in law be-
tween an immigration agent acting
under state authority and receiving
only supplemental subscriptions
from private parties, and an agent
employed directly by private parties
or corporations, and whose coamls-
sion from the governor is simply in
}cidental. This is the point on which
the Georgia case turns.
The case on which the decision was
based orisinated in Sotuh Carolina.
For some time past the agricultural
and manufacturing interests of South
Carolina have been retarded and
were in danger of material injury
owing to the lack of labor. In order
to relieve this condition of affairs,
the legislature Of South Carolina
passed an act creating a state de.
partment of agriculture, commerce
and immigration.
S E. j. Watson was appointed COM
missioner OF the department. He
was empowered by the act to make
such arrangements with steamship
companies and the immigration agen-
cies in this country and abroad as
would serve best the interests Of sue
cessful immigration, the necessary ex-
penditure being made from an appre-
priation provided for the purpose.
The act authorized the commission
er to accept contributions from such
citizens of the state as might want
to assist in securing desirable immi-
grants for South Carolina.
On November 4, 1896, the steam
ship Witekind, arrived from Bremen
at the port Of Charleston, S. c., hav-
ing on board about four hundred and
sseEenty-fre aliens destined to yam-
Gus points in the state of South Car
eolina.
About 500 Of these aliens were Bel
gian min operatives, their wives and
children, the remainder being Ger
man farm laborers and women seek.
ing domestic service.
All of these aliens were induced to
migrate to the United States by the
state Of South Carolina, the state act
ing through the medium Of its COM
missioner, of agriculture, commerce
and immigration, who went to Eu-
hope some time in August for the pur-
pose of inducing desirable immigrants
to come to the state; the passage
money Of the aliens was paid to the
state from a fund, part of which was
appropriated by the state and the
balance being contributed by vari-
sous corporations and individuals. This
fund was expended solely at the dis
Scretion of the state officials and not
under the direction Of the contribu-
tors.
The commissioner of immigration
Of South Carolina found employment
and distributed these aliens to vari-
ous points in the state, and in so do
ing exercised his own judgment as to
the person to whom, and the location
which, the several aliens should be
sent. The aliens were free to accept
or reject any offers of employment
made to them.