The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-07-05
MIR. GADSDEN TELLS
OF SOUTH'S PROBLEMS.
Has been to Europe to Study the Emi-
grant at Home Discusses Condi-
tions, Prospects and Need Of
Agricultural Settlers
His Suggested Col
onization Plan

At the annual meeting Of the State
Press association at the Isle of Palms,
Mr.. P. H. Gadsden, president of the
Charleston Consolidated company,
who had been sent by Mayor Rhett to
visit European countries and there to
make an investigation into immlgra-
ton conditions, was called upon for
an address. Mr.. Gasden had already
made report to Mayor Rhett, which
was published in the Charleston pa
rers, but was not given much public
;;y throughout the state and the men,
bers of the State Press association
were very much pleased at his broad
ly intelligent discussion Of the situ-
alton. He told Of the need Of labor,
the need Of immigration, the need OF
more liberal labor laws and finally
of a population which will buy and
build up farm lands, which are now
being bought very largely by negroes.
He spoke as follows:
s'While the history Of the lnml-
grafton movement in this state is fair
" vel known to you all, brief re-
view of it at this time will serve a
useful purpose. The question of I'M
migration was first brought to the at
tention of the public Of this state by
Mr.. D. C. Heyward, then candidate
for governor; subsequently, in Janu-
ary, 1904, Gov. Heywarl in his an
nual message to the general assembly,
developed his ideas as to immigration.
"By reference to that message it
Will be seen that the recommended
ton Of the governor to organize an
immigration bureau in this state was
based almost entirely upon the idea
that such a bureau when established
was to devote itself to the introduce
ton into the state Of home-seekers
and settlers. Following the recommen-
dation Of the governor the general
assembly passed an act which vas ap-
proved on Feb. 3, 1904, establishing
a department of immigration and pro-
viding for the appointment of CON-
missioner. Section IL Of this act
provides: THAT with regard to agri-
cultural interests under this act, it
shall be the duty Of the commission
er to secure those immigrants who
desire to purchase homes, become
citizens Of this state and build up ag-
ricultural interests.
s'The original purpose, therefore,
Of the establishment Of bureau OF
immigration in this state, and the pri-
mary one, was to encourage home
seekers and settlers, and with that
end in view the bureau commenced its
operations and succeeded in intro
ducing in different parts Of the state
quite a number of Scotch and other
immigrants who became citizens OF
the state and owners Of land. This
process was necessarily slow one.
Just at this time the supply Of labor
in the cotton mills of the state became
50 scarce that the Cotton Mill asso-
citation of the state appointed COM
mittee to supplement such supply by
immigration from abroad and ap-
preached the commissioner OF
Enumeration with and offer to
supply the necessary funds to pre-
pay the passage Of cotton mill opera
tives that were needed in the state.
"Realizing that the introduction
of home-seekers and settlers, while a
natural and proper line, was necessar-
ilv a slow one and appreciating that
bv the assistance Of the cotton mills
a large number Of immigrants could
be introduced into the state at one
time, the commissioner accepted the
offer Of the cotton mills and went
abroad for this purpose.
The Wittekind's Trips.
"You are familiar with the two
trips of the Wittekind. Following the
arrival Of the Wittekind on her last
trip. the business interest Of the
State, through the South Carolina
branch Of the Southern Industrial and
Immigration association, determined
that it was the part Of wisdom to send
three commissioners to Europe for the
purpose Of making study of the con-
ditions underlying the immigration
question and placing the movement, II
possible. upon sound business princi-
pies and on a permanent basis. The
commissioners appointed were Ex-
Gov. D. C. Hayward, Commissioner E.
7 Watson and mvself. Unfortunately