The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-10-25
SEN. LATIMER TALKS
ON IMMIGRATION
WAS IN NEWBERRY FOR FEW
HOURS YESTERDAY.
The Piedmont South Most Prosperous
Section in World-Should Re-
strict immigration.

Senator ~. &. I.atimcr spent YES
terday in Newbcrry. He is returning
to his home at Bolton from Batesburg,
where, on Wednesday, he addressed
some three thousand people, who were
attendm" the Tri-County Fair at that
place. Senator Lhtimcr is looking
well since his European trip, and talks
interestingly Of the conditions in Eu-
rope as well as the United States. or
course since MS first interview some
weeks ago on the immigration qucs-
tlon, and having announced that he
would be candidate to succeed him.
self III the United States Senate, his
views are of interest on this subject.
1t seems that it is to be one of the
issues of the campaign for United
States Senate next year, and there
can be no doubt that it is a national
issue; it is also a state issue, because
our legislature is confronted every
year with the discussion of the con-
tlnuance OF our own immigration de-
partment, which was established some
four years ago.
Senator IIatimer says that when he
made the tri p abroad this summer, he
was not committed to any decided
position on the question, because he
was not so we'll informed as he is now
after thorough investigation as to
the class Of immigrants, which are
being brought here and the conditions,
which exist in Europe. He says that
from Northern Europe we receive the
smallest proportion Of our immi-
grants, and That those who come from
tnat section, are the most desirable,
being Intelligent and law-abiding, and
that he would welcome such people.
who would be willing TO pay their own
transportation and become hope own
ers after their arrival here, and being
a class with whom our people could
assmilatc. IIe had. however, taken
the position against indscriminate
immigration in speeches whicn he de-
hvered more than Il year ago.
Senator IIatimcr says that some Of
fhc newspapers, which have critics.
cd his position, have not been fair
enough to give him an impartial hear
ing. The Herald and News asked him
TO give an interview on this subject,
which is a Live one in This state at
this time, and Mr.. Latimcr readily
consented to talk. He says after his
speech at Batesburg on Wednesday
where some three thousand farmers
were gathered, that great number of
them came to him afterwards and
endorsed his views on the subject.
1t was not his purpose to make it an
Issue III tne campaign, but inasmuch
as he proposes to offer some amend
ments to the present immigration
laws of the Unitcd States, and as he
is on the immigration committee to
investigate the subject, he felt that it
was due the people Of the state that
ne should give them his opinion and
his views on the subject. at the
same time he wonld be glad to know
the sentiment Of his own people and
to rea! !ize that he was backed uD in
his position by the people of his own
state.
Mr.. Latimcr is also very much in
terestcd in the drainage Of the
swamp lands of this state. and ne be-
licvcs that now is the timc to oct an
appropriation from the national GOV
ernment for this purpose
President Roosevelt, in his speech
at Vicksbmg, Miss, the other day, an
nouccd that he would recommend an
appropriation to reclaim the swamp
lands of that section, and Mr.. Lati
mer believes this is an oppotune time
to have the swamp lands Of South
Carolina reclaimed, and it is as rca
sonable that this should be done as
that millions Of money should be cx-
pended by the government to furnish
water for those lands in the west,
which are without water.
Speaking Of the immigration oues-
ton in its various phases, Senator
Latimcr said:
~ am satisfied that the object for