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10 ble employment of almost every species of labor. Immigrant agencies can accomplish little without the controlling argu- ment, based upon the advantages of climate, soil, and posi- tion; and surely no State, south or north, can present the same convincing inducements. The capitalist will be at- tracted by cheap and productive lands, while the day-laborer will expect a healthy climate, steady employment and fair wages. A system of expensive agencies would, in my judg- ment, be less effective in accomplishing what we have in view than a well organized plan for bringing to the notice of emigrants from foreign countries landing upon our shores, authentic and reliable statistics upon all points of enquiry connected with their various objects and pursuits. Such information, bearing an official stamp and distributed by a recognized officer of the State, would exert a powerful influ- ence in giving direction to the stream of population looking to this country for a permanent home. Connected with such a plan would be the duty of keeping always open to inspec- tion a reliable schedule of all property in the State, in the market for sale, with the prices annexed, and all demands for labor, whether for agricultural or other purposes. Such a Bureau, organized as it might be, with an office in Balti- more, while it would involve no large expenditure, could not fail to be attended with immediate and practical results, and prove highly advantageous to the agricultural, manufacturing and mining interests of the State. In organizing, upon a proper basis, the present Board of Public Works, under the provisions of the new Constitution, a measure wholly indispensable to render it effective, it would be advisable to blend with it the general supervision of the plan of the immigrant agency proposed to be created, with a view to efficiency and economy in both departments. This board is now composed of the Governor, Comptroller and Treasurer, and is charged with duties of the heaviest responsibility. The establishment of an office in Baltimore —the converging point of our net-work of railways, as well as the recognized commercial centre of our State—with the proposed Commissioner of Immigration to act as its perma- nent Secretary and the custodian of its charts and papers— ready at all times to impart reliable information in regard to the affairs of the State—while it would place under a proper organization the existing Board of Public Works, would accomplish at the same time the object we have in view, con- nected with the settlement of our lands and the introduction of capital from abroad. Maryland stands greatly in need of both men of capital to occupy her lands and labor to make them productive. She needs also a farther and larger de- velopment of her great manufacturing facilities. Without an effort on the part of her authorities, it may be years |
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Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, 1866
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