Year: 1875

OFFICE CoMMIssIoNER or IMMT

 GRAFTON AND STATE LANDs,}

 LITTLE Rock, January A, 1875. To the people of the State:

 From numerous inquiries and letters daily received at this office, it is evident that the immigration to this state during the present year will exceed that of any year since the war, especially if, as now seems a settled fact, the present government is to remain undis- turbed. With the financial cmbar- rassments of the state all are fla miliar. Whatever is done by the general assembly toward provid- ing for the distribution of docu- ments and the appointment of agents of immigration will be comparatively small. Every good citizen should feel an interest in this matter of immigration, and should do all in his power to en- courage it.

 l now have on hand several thousand copies of the English edition of 'Henry's Resources of Arkansas a work which gives more general information in re- gard to each of the counties than any other yet published. A large number have already been distrib- uted throughout the states of the west and east. 1 would suggest the organization in each county of an immigration society, and the appointment of a local agent, whose business it shall be to dis tribute such documents as can be furnished by this office, and such other matter as the society may deem proper to publish in regard to it's own county; and whose fur ther duty it shall be to make monthly reports to the commis- sioner of immigration, showing the number and kind of immi- grants who have arrived in the county during tha month, and the amount and kind of property brought by each. Also, the num- Der of acres of land in cultivation last year; the number of hands employed during that year and the number the present year, with such other information as will tend to show the increase in pop ulauion and wealth of the county. The sheriff's of the different counties can obtain, with little trouble, from the tax-books, and from thelr own personal observa- tion, this information. and it IS earnestly requested that they do so without fail. @

 It will be impossible for the state to pay anything for this ser vice. Whatever expenses is at tached to it should be borne by the counties. County grangers might take charge of this matter in the absence of an immigration society, and designate some one of their number to furnish this information, q

 It is butsa year now until the centennial which will be appro- priately celebrated at Philadel- phia in 1876. Nearly every state is preparing to be properly rep resented on that oceasion-and these county societies should col. lect speciments of minerals, valu- able woo,ls, and other products for exhibition on that occasion. Such collections may be forward ed to this office, where they will be properly taken care of, and, if an appropriation is made for the purpose, will be forwarded for exhibition at the incoming of the year 1876.

 l am particularly desirous of ascertaining the exact number of immigrants, and the amount of new wealth added to each county during the present year, and ear nestly urge these suggestions up on the public spirited citizens all hn tof I. immigration society, and where the county grange takes no steps, l will be especially obliged to any enterprising citizens who will un- dertake the task of at least fur nishing the information desired,

 J. N. SMITHEE. R Commissioner oi Immigration and State Lands.