Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1906-12-01

FAR-REAcHINo DECISION TO Be
SOON RENDERED.
shipload Of immigrants to South Caro-
lima Raises Very Fine Point
Of Law.

Special Correspondence
Washington, ID. c.. Nov, 22.-An
opinion of sweeping importance to all
parts of the country, bur particularly
to the South. is to be rendered shortly
by Solicitor Earle, OF The Department
OF Commerce and Labor. On the judg
ment of the Department, based on So
licitor Earle's opinion, probably viii
depend the continuance of immigra-
ton to southern ports from points Ia
Europe
The question was raised by the re
cent landing of ship load of immi-
grants at Charleston, S. c. Commits
sioner of immigration Frank p. Sar.
gent and a corps of inspectors We're
present when the ship arrived early
this month. The immigrants, for the
most part, were landed without ques.
ton and they have scattered through
various parts of the South. Some of
them were detained FOR various rem
sons-chiefly physical ard mental
and a few of them were ordered de
ported. They were treated, as a whole,
precisely as any shipload of immi-
grants would be handled by the immi-
grafton officers at northern port.
Since they were landed. however, il
has been developed that the immi-
grants were induced TO take passage
from their homes to a southern port
by an agent of the state South Caro-
lima Other southern states, interested
in securing immigration, have raised
the question whether the action of the
agent of South Carolina was not a vic
lation of the spirit ii not the letter, of
the national immigration laws. An IN
quiry now is being made into the mat
ter by the Department of Commerce
and Labor and the facts. as they are
obtained are being referred to So
licitor Earle. After careful considers
ton of them. he will present to Secrs-
tary Metcalf an opinion Of the legality
of such immigration.
If, as now seems likely, the solicit
or's opinion should support the action
of the South Carolina authorities in
thus inducing immigration to that
state, it is quite probable that other
southern states will send agents to Eu.
rope for the purposing of soliciting
immigration. 1t has been shown that
the agent of South Carolina did not
offer the immigrants positions in his
onstrated to them that they would
have no difficulty in obtaining employ
ment.
This action seems to be well within
the immigration law, as, under that
law, states have authority to present
to prospective immigrants the advan
tages of locating within their confines
1t is regarded as reasonably certain
that, if Solicitor Earle's opinion up
holds the action of the agent of South
Carolina, much of the immigration,
which heretofore has been coming TO
northern ports, will be diverted to tho
southern states. All Of the states OF
the southland are in need of labor for
the development of that section of the
country. Opportunities are offered
there for the acquisition by the immi-
grants of land at a reasonable prizes
and their labor, either ON plantations
or in mills, Is In constant demand H.
dustrious immigrants will be able to
do well almost anywhere in the south,
although it is not believed they are, as
rule, fitted for work in the cotton
fields. In the mills, however, and In
agricultural pursuits other than cot
ton growing, it is thought they are
better than negro labor.
Should material part of the immi-
grafton which now comes to the north
be diverted to the south, the situation
in the congested centers of population
in the east will be relieved and the
south will get just the sort of labor
which 1t so sorely needs to develop
its tremendous resources.