Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-06-18
The immigration Question.

other states.
The immigration Question.
One Of the most interesting features
of the annual meeting Of the South
Carolina State Press association on the
address from Mr.. Philip H. Gadsden,
president of the Consolidated compa-
ny. and one of the brightest, broadest.
and most progressive young men of the
state.
Mr.. Gadsden's address was delivered
at the express request of the associa-
tion's committee on programme ana
the subject of 1t was "the immigra-
ton movement, what has been accom-
plished, and what remains to be done
in order that the state might derive the
greatest benefit from further efforts In
this direction"
1t will be remembered that some
months ago, Mr.. Gadsden made trip
abroad, especially to Bremen and 9TH
er cities, carrying the largest streams
of European emigration to the United
States. He only remained a short
while, but during his stay, by means
of carefully directed investigation Of
the entire situation, through interviews
with people who understand the sub
ject in all it's details, procured lot OF
information that should prove Of great
| value.
At the beginning of his remarks, Mr..
GadSden took occasion to say that an
article he gave out to the press short
| ly after his return was taken by some
of the newspapers to be intended to
discourage further efforts in the direc-
ton of immigration and this impress
sion he desired to correct AS mat
ter of fact he was very much encour-
aged at the prospects; but had become
convinced that while all the effort and
money so far expended was to good
purposes, there had been a wrong
start-that the start had been at the
| wrong end, the bottom instead Of the
| top. g. '.- . ..~-
|
ing to bring the laboring classes here"
he said, in effect. "Of course, we want
laborers: but this class of people from
abroad cannot be satisfactorily man.
aged by us They become dissatisfied
and we do not know how to manage
them to the best advantage. What we
want to do is to direct our efforts to
bringing over a class of agricultural
families that will buy land and set out
to make an independent living and
good citizens. This is the class Of
people with whom the great west has
been built up, and if we desire to make
this a white mans country, 1t is the
class of people upon whom we must
depend
There are thousands of acres Of
cheap lands in South Carolina, lands
that can be bought for sS, $40 and $12
an acre We must put the proposition
on a plain business basis, organize
land and immigration companies, buy
suitable lands and improve them to
point that will make them desirable,
and then advertise for immigrants to
whom we will sell the lands at fair
profit. There will be profit for the peo-
pie who take the risk, do the work and
at the same time, the state will derive
benefits that can be derived in no other
way.
"The competition of the northwest
| tnl
very success there Of this plan of pro-
cedure Lands that formerly sold at
a few dollars an acre have been i'm
proved and made more valuable by
these immigrants until now they are
worth from $50 to $75 and $125, and
consequently out of the reach of the
class of immigrants that We want.
We can give these immigrants just
what they are hunting for, and by
proper efforts, our lands will soon be-
come as valuable as those of the
northwest.
There is no cause for concern on the
part of those whose interest seems to
Especially demand greater supply Of
| ldDDl. ~ NCl bStill pSlSSiNb5S VI viz
members of these agricultural families
will drift to the towns and work in the
mills and elsewhere"
In this connection there is another
important matter to which | want to
call your attention. You are all aware
that the labor laws Of this state have
been especially directed to control Of
negro labor. This must be changed
and the laws so revised as to make
them applicable to white men. White
men will not live under such laws.
Bring these men here and so soon as
they find that there is more liberty
and freedom i'm other states they will
leave you
Mr. GadSden thinks that the immi-
grafton movement can be built up to
satisfactory proportions by means of
iudciOuS advertising. and ii is salts
| fed that here is the only and complete
solution of the question as To whether
this is to be Il white mans country
or Il negro country.
49, The city authorities of Charleston
for several months past have been