Year: 1872

Meeting Of the Joint Committee on I'm.


migration.


The joint committee of the two Houses Of
the General Assembly on Immigration mel
last night in the hall Of the House of Dele.
gates. The attendance was not SO large as
was desired, and an informal discussion was
had as to the propriety of agnin postponine
tie meeting. Senator Kirkpatrick, who was
presiding, stated that it might be advisable
not to invite the Governor to appear before
the committee, as so few of its members were
in attendance. A committee Of two, how.
ever, was appointed, consisting of Messrs
Holladay and Lovenstein, who waited on the
Governor and informed him Of the desire ol
the committee to hear his views.


After an absence of few minutes the COM
mittee returned escorting his Excellency,
who was informally introduced, and adj
dressed the committee at some length. He
hoped the committee did not expect an ad-
dress, as he had not intended it. He was
surprised to learn that the committee had met
this evening with no other purpose than to
hear what he had to say. He came rather, said
| he, to compare notes, and if he could aid
the committee in the result which they de-
sired to attain he should be most happy. 1t
was hardly necessary to discuss the import
| ance Of immigration, or even the benefits
which will be derived from it. The practical
question to be settled by this committee is
how to induce immigration; and it cannot
be denied that two of the difficulties in the
way are prejudice and Ignorance, both in
Europe and in the North. We should collect
and send out correct and authentic data-of
our political status; we should let these
people know that our laws must be respect
ed of our climate Of our soil; of our min
erals; and the cost ut which lands can be
bought here-and foreign immigrants want
cleared lands. II you want to frighten oil
foreign immigration offer these gentlemen
wood lands.


The point which he desired to call atten-
ton to especially is the mode Of reception
for immigrants here and how to take charge
of them when they should arrive. There
could be no difficulty in getting up the neces-
sary statistics and the means, too, to transport
them to us, and in this way compete with
these northern combinations. 1t is all-im-
portant to have some Office here at which the
immigrant can get all the information he de-
'sired. First, an organization at home must
be provided and all the statistics collected
Then there must be bureau; but that bu-
reau should not be too large. 1t must have
q head, and that man must be energetic;
must have ability, determination, and heart
thoroughly engrossed IN the work. If such
q man is secured, he predicted that in ninety
days good results would be seen.


The Governor then alluded to various let
ters which he had received, and in every in
stance the writer desired information. He
had heard from every class of foreign immi-
grants except the worthless, and, said he, Of
course we don't want that class to come. In
spcaking of the necessary means to be
used, he said that he had already in his
message suggested an appropriation Of
O,000, and that would be enough. AS to
agents, one man of the character he had
alluded to should be at the head of the
bureau. There should be an agent for the
British Empire located either in London or
Liverpool, and it should be his duty to dis
tribute the information which he shall pos
sess. The officers abroad and those Of the
steamship companies would greatly facilitate
him in the progress of bis work. The great
est expense at first would be the salary Of the
commissioner; but it could hardly be expect
cd that all extensive scheme Of immigration
could be entered into at once.


At the conclusion Of the Governors re-
marks, Mr.. Loyenstein gave notice that he
should move tonight to discontinue the pub
lie sessions Of the committee in order that
some scheme might lie framed at once.


Lieutenaut-Go Governor Marye, who was in
attendance, desired to know whether the
Governor would not furnish the committee
with some Of tie letters which he bad referred
to.


Governor Walker: Yes, sir; I will have them
put in the order of the reception tomorrow,
sir; and send you, too, a number Of letters
from class of gentlemen il Virginia VINO
think they have the peculiar qualifications to
make commissioners. Uaughtcr.)


General Imboden read an interesting letter
from Frenchman who desired information
concerning the lands Of Virginia.


Lieutenant-G Governor Marye then addressed
the committee at some length, speaking par
ticularly Of the importance OF the Legislature
not being parsimonious, and urging the COM
mittee not to be embarrassed by any such
thing as this.


Mr.. Lovenstein desired Governor Walker
to express his opinion as to the location OF
depot.


Governor Walker replied by saying that he
thought Norfolk was the best place; and Ill
conclusion he regretted that he had failed, for
he could see that he had, to impress the COM
mittee with the importance of the subject as
he regarded it. The difficulty in Virginia is
not in the onerous taxation which her peo-
pie have to bear, but deeper still and
heaIthful influx of Immigrants who can sue
cessfully till the surplus lands OF the State VIII
be the best means Of relief.


After some further desultoTy debate the
committee arose.