The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-11-16

Nashville, Tenn, November 13.--The
Southern immigration and Educational
conference today perfected permanent
organization TO be known hereafter as
the Southern immigration and Indus
trial association. and elected the fol-
lowing officers:
President-Governor ID. c. Hayward,
Columbia, S. c.
Secretary-Treasurer-J. r. McMul-
len, Gadsden, Ala.
The next annual convention viii be
held in Birmingham, Ala. the second
Tuesday in November.
The committee on organization re-
commended that the association be
continued as Il permanent organization
to be known as the Southern Immigra-
ton and Industrial association. its OBJ
ject being to exercise an educational
and supervisory influence over matters
pertaining TO immigration, health,
labor, technical education and Il general
enforcement OF vagrancy laws. in order
that a uniform policy regarding these
matters may prevail throughout the
south. Governors and state commits
siOners of agriculture, representatives
from commercial and business organi-
cations are made honorary members
OF h association. The active mem
bership is I 0 be composed of railroads,
corporations, firms or individuals. The.
appointment of a vice president from
each state is recommended. The re-
port was adopted unanimously.
The report of the committee on edu-
cation was then adopted. 1t recon-
mended the adoption in southern
schools Of the Louisiana system OF
hygenic instruction.; hearty
ton by the farmers with state expert
ent farms; the founding of trade
schools and that the governors of all
southern states call the attention Of
their people to the great need OF tech
nical education for the whole youth Of
the south.
The report of the committee on i'm
migration recommended that the sever
al states establish departments OF
immigration. The report urges the
federal government ito provide liber-
ally for the reception for immigrants
at the South Atlantic and Gulf ports
and thus encourage the establish ment
of steamship lines for the direct i'm
p~ortation OF immigrants, thereby re-
lieving the crowded condition of Ellis
island and the congested eastern
cities"
The report was adopted.
A letter was read from John Sharp
Williams in which he expressed the
belief that the solution Of the race
question might be found in a precon-
certed effort TO bring white people CT
the right sort into the south as SER
wants, tenants and farmers. He adyo-
Gated the formation of a land
with a capital Of at least one million
dollars. TO buy lands throughout he
cotton states, and sell them on time 10
desirable immigrants. A hopeful sign.
Hr. Williams said, is the fact that the
negro birth rate in the country Is de-
creasing very remarkably, while he
birth rate OF b white poole In the
Gulf states Is the largest anywhere
IN the world. Mr.. Williams recon-
mended the esta blIshment Of a mounted
rural police after the Cape Colony and
Canadian systems.
The political phase Of the negro
problem We have pretty well worked
ont 10 an approximately satisfactory
issue" he went on to say, and recon-
mended a limitation OF the franchise
10 h white race. He prophesied that
similar action would be taken q gener-
alton hence in Illinois, Indiana. and
Ohio. He favored the rigid enforce
ment OF vagrancy laws and said that
IL the negro would not work he must
get out of the fields. The Importation
Of desirable white immigrants NO only
from foreign countries but from he
north WAS also suggested In the letter.
The repor OF the good roads commit
tee favored the adoption OF the Lau-
mer Brownlow bill, now pending In
congress, asking for national aid in the
Of good roads and tina. the
use every effort TO improve their
highways.
The government aid feature of the
precipitated a debate which cov-
cred nearly two hours and In which
about fifteen delegates were heard.
This portion OF the report was finally
out.