The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-04-23
IMM|GRAT | . II
WORK IN THIS
STATE
Advocates of Movement
Confident of Speedy Ac-
ton By Legislature.

Next TO the question of good roads.
immigration an action looking TO an
curing the right class of immigrants
for Florida is one of the things 10 be
taken up by the legislature in which
there is more than ordinary interest,
says the Jacksonville IImes-UniOn.
The State Board of Trade, at its
meeting in Jacksonville last February
endorsed a bill, published in full in
the Times-UniOn at that time. looking
to the establishment OF a bureau OF
immigration, the chief of which
should rank as assistant commission
er of agriculture This bill was care
fully drawn by one of the ranking at
torneys of Florida, and the state
Board of Trade went on record as ad'
Yocating its passage.
Copies of the bill were made, as
amended. at the meeting of the State
Board of Trade. and a copy sent to
each senator and each member the
house, with the request that he give
it has careful consideration, and put
forth his best efforts toward securing
its passage, or the passage of a bill
similarly framed that should meet
Florida conditions.
As yet the bill has not come TO
light, but members of the committee
on immigration here believe that the
bill will be introduced this week. or
some similar bill.
The Question of Funds.
The ruling of Attorney General
BOnapaFte regarding private cOntri-
buttons TO state immigration funds
will not, it is believed here, interfere
with the plan as outlined.
Under his ruling the state could
eXpend as much as it saw fit 70 induce
immigrants to come here, but indi-
viduals could not, under the contract
labor law. Those who have been
studying the question believe that
the solution of the problem lies in de
voting all mat the state will set
aside to actual work in bringing i'm
migrants here. Private contributions
could be used to meet the expenses
of advertising, thus making it posi-
BILE TO advertise on a wide scale and
yet not touch the state funds for this
purpose.
The appointment of Senator Latimer
of South Carolina and Representative
Burnett of Alabama on the commits
sion that is to go abroad TO study the
immigration problem is hailed with
delight in Florida. as the selection OF
these two southerners is taken TO in
sure the safeguarding of the inter
ests of the south in any legislation
that may be recommended.
This commission is not limited,
however, as to time, and the feeling
is general that the legislature should
act at this session. and by no means
delay in waiting for the commission
to report.
Work in Georgia.
Mr. Edwin Brobston, of the South
ern immigration Association and one
of the leaders of the immigration
movement in Florida, in speaking OF
the matter OF bringing settlers and
hOmeseekers to this state said, among
other things:
Georgia is meeting with marked
success. On the occasion of a recent
visit to Atlanta l made special in
quiries regarding how the work was
progressing there, and l was in
formed by those in charge of the
work that immigrants were being Sc
cured as rapidly as they could be
taken care of.
Many of them are being placed
near Columbus, and some Of the mills
of Georgia are taking uLtle groups OF
from time to time. The
thus taken is limited, as the
mill managers find that they cannot
assimilate too large a group. They
take ten or twelve at first, teach
them the work TO be done and, when
they have been aSsimilated or prac-
ticaIly assimilated by the community,
the mill managers send for more.
Universal satisfaction has been
given. and the work in Georgia.
though begun on comparatively small
scale. is growing rapidly to big pro
portions.
Broward is Favorable.
Gov. BrOward,' continued Mr..
BrObStOn. will favor a good immi- !
grafton bill, l believe
Recently 1 received a letter from
former Gov. Haywood OF South Caro-
lima, asking me if the governor of
Florida was in favor of immigration |
or opposed to it, as at that time he
had received no word |
from Gov. bTOward as TO how he |
stood on the plan adopted by the
Southern immigration AssOcia ton.
I Immediately communicated with .
our governor. and receive a prompt .
reply. in which Gov. BrOward stated I.
that he had been so busy with other /
matters of vital Importance 10 the |
state that he had been delayed in /
writing his letter OF commentator. /
but that he had written it and for .
waTded it to former Gov. Hayward. /
This means. l believe. that Gov
ernOr BrOward will favor an immigra-
ion bill, tHat he believes viii stand !
the tests of the courts. The senti- /
nent for immigration is general, ana /
f a bill is introduced in the leEisla-
-uTe it will, I believe, be passed win
mt little -rDnhln Gipnpd
IF We can advertise as broadly as
We ought to do, and can put the ad-