New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-25
STATE AID TO 1uuIGRANrs.

In a letter replying to certain queries pro-
pounded by Governor Ansel Of South Carolina
Attorney General Bonaparte tells what a state
can do and what it cannot do under the act
of February %. 1907, in the way of assisting
alien immigration. The law Of 1903. which
ceases 10 be operative on July 1 next, was
not intended to hamper the importation of alien
labor by the states as states. for the sufficient
reason that no state had up to that time shown
any disposition to its own funds to Sc
cure alien labor. The present movement to
attract immigrants by state aid and under
state supervision had not at that time taken
shape and the few commonwealth looking
about for labor recruits were then confirming
their efforts TO a propaganda among the new
corners at our chief ports of entry. This cam
pagn Of persuasion and advertisement failed
largely because the immigrants after landing
and getting in touch with distributing agencies
here in the hands of managers OF their own
speech and race preferred either to stick in the
city colonies or to follow old lines in seeking
employment elsewhere. In the last year states
like South Carolina and Maryland have reached
the conclusion that intending settlers can be
more easily procured by sending agents abroad
and dealing on the spot with labOrers willing
to come to America. Both these states have
recently arranged direct shipments Of labor
from Europe and paid the passage money out
Of state funds
It has been necessary therefore to determine
just how far this practice conflicts with the
new law to become operative on July /, and
passed with the contingency OF state aided
immigration more distinctly in view The At
torney General decides that n state may go so
far as to advertise the inducements it offers
for immigration and that immigrants coming
in response TO such advertisements must be
admitted if not otherwise disqualified, although
no immigrant coming in response to advertise
ments and general promises of work made by
an individual, corporation or association can
be permitted to land. Such advertising, except
when done by Il state, IS held to be 4 violation
of the Contract Labor law. \ state may pay
out Of It's own funds the passage money of i'm
migrants, as any individual may, If he acts
alone and not IN concert with other individuals
But no immigrant is allowed to enter this cOun-
try whose passage has been paid by any "cor-
.pOration. association society, municipality or
foreign government" \ state is also permit
ted TO accept contributions for use in assist
ing immigration from individuals, but not from
associations or corporations.
This Interpretation of the law should prove
satisfactory 10 the states, which are left free
to encourage immigration at their own expense
AS we have previously pointed out, the Contract
labor law aims ut restraining the cupidlty OF
corporations and individual employers seeking
to import cheap labor for their own profit and
benefit But the state is not an employer Of
labor, trying to make a profit Mt the expense
Of any class of its citizens. Its good faith can
not be tmpugned and It must be presumed 10
act for the benefit OF the whole community
when 1t seeks TO recruit its laborns class with
workers from abroad. II Will spend the money
IN its treasury 10 induce immigration only when
It is convinced that immigration is needed 10
develop Its resources and Increase its prosper
fly. With such state aid the federal govern
ment could not reasonably wish 10 interfere.