Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1910-06-24
4" ON TO DIXIE. "

dell, Representative from the Fifth
Louisiana district, was the strong
est presentation ever made of the
advantages of the South as home
for settlers, particularly those from
the North. Containing as it does
an immense amount of valuable in
formation as to the soil, climate,
crops, etc., of the South, the speech
becomes an important immigration
document, and can he sent with
advantage throughout the world
wherever immigration originates.
While it applies most directly to
Louisiana, Mr.. Ransdell's own State,
it applies to the rest of the South
as well; and the many energetic
campaigns now under way to bring
settlers South cannot do more to
stimulate the tide of immigration
in this direction than through the
wide dissemination of Mr.. Rams
dell's strong presentation of the
many reasons why those who are
looking for profitable agricultural
work and, indeed, work of all kinds,
should turn their eyes on Dixie. +"
The problem with which Mr..
Ransdell deals has become nation
al one; and he points out the only
correct solution. We are upset and
disturbed just now by immigration
and emigration problems, and by
the unwise and unfortunate distri-
button of our immigrants. There
has been legislation enough on this
subject, and more is promised, but
we do not seem to have accom-
plished very much good by our
many immigration laws. A consid-
cradle proportion of the immigra-
ton coming into this country is, if
not wholly undesirable, far from
satisfactory. Our efforts and laws
to keep out the undesirables have
been only partly successful, and we
recognize that we admit thousands
annually who ought to be barred
out. This evil is intensified by the
bad distribution of the new arrivals.
to which we have several times al |
luded-the congregation and con-
gestiOn in our large cities of alien
peasants, absolutely unacquainted
with city life. This works badly |
in two ways. The immigrants set
Ting in colonies are difficult to reach |
and Americanize; and crowded in |
the slums and amid bad sanitary
conditions, they suffer in conse-
quence.
Recently the situation has been
made worse by the, emigration of |
good American citizens to Canada, |
attracted by the opportunities the
Dominion offers and the active
work it has done to secure immi-
grants. We have lost in this way |
in the last five years 3l2 GA people,
who have, moreover, taken out of
this country for investment i'm Can
ada 1912 100000 of American
money.
For all these troubles of immigra-
ton and emigration the South Of
fers the remedy, and the only rem
edy. Commissioner of Immigration
Sargent saw this some years ago,
and his great ambition was to dis
tribute the European immigration
better throughout the country, so
that the agricultural workers, in
stead OF being congested i'm the
towns, would be sent to the farms.
where they will find the work and
life to which they are accustomed.
He assisted the Southern immi yra-
ton agents in presenting to the
newly-arrived immigrants the add
vantages of the South, and he even
favored an appropriation for this
purpose, the better distribution of
the immigrants in this country So
that those accustomed to farm work
can be sent 10 the farms; and this
is the plan which has been pursued
in Canada, and explains the success !
OF its immigration policy. /
As for the emigration to Canada,
it is the duty of the Federal govern
ment to check it as far as it can,
not by any obstruction of emigra-
ton or any difficulties placed in the
way of persons desiring to 60 to
Canada, but by showing those who
are preparing to go there that they
can get as cheap lands in this coun-
try, more fertile and more profit !
able than those of the Dominion; =
enjoys better climate, better school c
md social conditions than is pos c
ible in the Western Canadian dis {
riots. Mr.. Ransdell points that out, :
hows how the South can be of F
'reat benefit to the country by saw H
ng it loss in men and money. Il
he entire nation should recognize y
his fact and give the South every
ossible aid in protecting us from
his loss. Mr.. Ransdell's speech and pI
rguments in favor of immigration -
, the South cannot fail to have
leir influence on Congress and the
'untfy u large. -Timss. Democrat. %