The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-06
HEYWARD ON IMMIGRATION.
The Ex-Governor returns From Trip
to Montgomery-He Addressed the
Alabama General Assembly on the
Subject of immigration.

Columbia, Jan. 31.-Ex-Governor
d. C. Heyward returned today from
Montgomery, where he addressed the
General Assembly by invitation on the
subject of immigration. Governor
Heyward was very much pleased with
the result of his trip and the evident
sentiment in Alabama for the estab-
ment of an immigration department
in that State.
When seen tonight he said: 81 have
returned from Alabama feeling more
encouraged over the outlook for a
successful and rapid development Of
immigration into the South and Of
our commerce. In this trip to Mont
gomery, as also in my trip week be-
fore last to Birmingham, found
nearly every one met greatly inter
ested in the subject Of southern i'm
migration. In Alabama, as in South
Carolina, the industrial development
of the State has come to a standstlll
on account Of the scarcity Of labor.
Efforts have been made by large cor
porate interests in Alabama to secure
labor, but thus far these efforts have
been unavailing There, as with Us,
there are thousands upon thousands
of acres of idle lands and the people
of the S5ate not only wish imnigra-
ton in the form labor, but also OF de-
sirable settlers.
The establishment OF State de-
partnent of commerce and immigra-
ton by this State has unqestionably
directed great attention to South Car
olina and I feel sure that bill Great
ing a similar department to ours will
he enacted at this session Of the gen
eral assembly of Alabama. From what
/ can understand similar bill will be
sure to be passed by the general as
sembly of North Carolina, now in
session at Raleigh. There is much in
terest also manifested throughout
Georgia but their general assembly
does not meet until June, and then
movement will be made to have them
follow the example Of South Carolina.
..Much interest I found manifested
in the establishment Of the steamship
line of the North German Lloyd
Steamship company into Charleston,
and the people of Alabama realize the
necessity to the south of making this
lire a. success. This can rapidly be
done as soon as state departments are
established in surrounding States, De
cause their commissioners can then
co-operate with eaea otaec. hereby
saving lauch MONEY ROW see..l i's
eachsstare ladepandenssy9nd working
for the common good OF the south IS
whole.
..I found the kindliest feelings to-
wards supporting Charleston as the
first port of entry, especially in view of
the fact that this movement was in
augurated by the State Of South Caro-
lima and the initial line having al
ready been established at Charleston.
/ had interviews with the most prom
inent representatives Of the manufac-
turing interests and the coal and
iron interests OF the State Of Alabama
and also with number Of prominent
bankers, and all Of these gave me as
surance or their warmest support.
1The main thing, however, is until
the other States are in a position
through their departments to co-ope-
rate with US, for the business men of
Charleston TO rally to the support of
the North German Lloyd Steamship
company and see to it as far as pos
sible that both import and export car
goes be furnished. But this IS not
matter in which Charleston alone is
involved The opening Of the trans
Atlantic service to our State and
through our State into the South At
lal.ic States, means so much - our
agricultural, industrial and CONNER
cial development that at this critical
stage, when every effort is being
made to establish this line, thu most
earnest and active support o. the: en-
tire State should be given to the vig-
orous prosecution Of the work of
Commissioner Watson. The opening
of this service means actual, quick
results in dollars and cents to every
business enterprise in South Carolina,
and nothing has yet been undertaken
that promises such far reaching sim
liar results to theN actual producing
farmer himself.
sI have used the term critical stage
for the reason that just now it seems
to me absolutely necessary for Char