ACTS OF 1867.

[Laws of Alabama, 1867, p. 346.]

AN ACT To amend an act to encourage immigration and to protect immigrant

labor.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the senate and house of representatives of the State of Alabama in general assembly convened, That section 4 of an act to encourage immigration and to protect immigrant labor, approved February 21, 1866, which reads as follows:

That any immigrant bound by contract as aforesaid who shall, without good and sufficient cause, abandon or leave the service of his or her employer shall be liable to such employer for double the amount of wages for the unexpired term of the service, and any immigrant who shall fail to enter the service of an employer agreeably to the contract shall be liable in like manner and for a like amount; and a claim for all such liabilities shall be a lien on all future wages of such immigrants whenever earned or from whomsoever due until the same be repaid; and any person who shall employ any immigrant or otherwise entice any immigrant from his or her employer in violation of the contract of such immigrant shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be fined in a sum not less than the amount of wages for the unexpired term of the contract, and may be imprisoned, at the discretion of the jury trying the case, for a period not longer than months

and also section 5 of said act, which reads as follows:

That any immigrant who shall abandon or leave the service of an employer without repaying all passage money and all other advances shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction fined in a sum not more than double the amount of the wages for the unexpired term of service and imprisoned not longer than months, at the discretion of the jury trying

the same

be amended by filling the blanks with the word "three." Approved, February 6, 1867.

ACT OF 1872.

[Laws of Alabama, 1872, p. 45.]

AN ACT To aid and induce immigration to the State of Alabama.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Alabama, That J. G. Michaeloffsky, James K. Murphree, William J. Bibb, and Frederick Bramberg and their associates are hereby authorized to do and perform all things, not inconsistent with the laws of the United States or the laws of the State of Alabama, to invite and procure immigrants to settle within the boundary of the State of Alabama: Provided, That no compensation be allowed out of the treasury of Alabama for the exercise of the powers herein contained: Provided further, That no personal or pecuniary liability shall be incurred by any one of the above-named parties for the acts or doings of any other of said parties unless participated in by the party sought to be charged therewith: And provided further, That this act is not intended to confer corporate authority upon the same. Approved February 26, 1872.

ACTS OF 1875.

I.

[Laws of Alabama, 1875, p. 121.]

AN ACT To induce and encourage immigration to the State of Alabama and to provide for the appointment of a commissioner of immigration and a board of commissioners and directors.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Alabama, That the governor is hereby authorized and empowered to appoint a commissioner of immigration and a board of directors for the State of Alabama. Said commissioner of immigration and board of directors shall and are authorized and empowered to adopt such constitution. and by-laws, resolutions, and rules as may be applicable and safe to carry out the aims and objects of the purpose as hereafter set forth in the following articles and sections to induce and encourage immigration without coming in conflict with the Constitution and laws of the United States and State of Alabama.

ART. 1. It shall be the duty of the commissioner of immigration, according to the direction of the board of directors, to collect the fullest possible information and statistics in regard to the resources and products of the State and its topography and geography; also with regard to the price of land, price of wages, and its supply of labor and capital; also in regard to manufacturing, water power, timber, minerals, soils, and climate; also with regard to taxes, exemptions, schools, and such other information as may be useful to immigrants, and to prepare and arrange such information and statistics for ready and convenient reference; and it shall be also the duty of the heads of different departments of the state officers to furnish to said commissioner all information in their power to aid said commissioner in the performance of the duties of his office.

ART. 2. To prepare and publish from time to time, in such languages as may be deemed advisable, circulars, pamphlets, and maps adapted to general circulation in this country and foreign countries, containing such information upon the above-enumerated subjects and others, as may be deemed best, and showing the comparative advantages of this State in all matters affecting the interest of labor and capital.

ART. 3. To collect information and statistics in regard to immigration and all matters relating thereto, both in this country and foreign countries.

ART. 4. To give information to all persons who may apply and such other persons as it may be regarded will serve the interests of the State, and especially to judges of probate, by letters, circulars, and otherwise, of the mode and manner by which the citizens of the State may avail themselves of the advantages arising from immigration.

ART. 5. To provide for an immigration depot in the city of Mobile, at which immigrants may be received and taken care of until the parties that have contracted for them can receive them.

SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That the commissioner of immigration, according to the direction of the board of directors, shall be

empowered and are hereby authorized to establish offices and appoint agents both in this country and foreign countries and to do all that can be lawfully done to induce and direct desirable immigration to Alabama, and to gather and report information on the subject of immigration, and to impart to immigrants all information in regard to Alabama, and whose duty it shall be, further, to obtain the most favorable terms as to cheapness of fare, speed of transit, and convenience and safety of conveyance to place of destination, and to see that such stipulations are at all times carried out in good faith.

SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That in order to carry out the provisions of this act on the part of the commissioner of immigration and the board of directors, the commissioner of immigration is hereby authorized and empowered, according to the direction of the board of directors, to solicit aid from the various counties of the State of Alabama such as may be necessary to carry out the aims and purposes of this act, and such aid to be applied, at the direction of the board of directors, toward the expense of the accomplishment of the foregoing articles and sections of this act and for the purpose of the publication and translations of said publication in pamphlet form setting forth the resources and showing the comparative advantages which each county of this State possesses for immigration; and in order to equalize the amount from each county as authorized by this section the commissioner of immigration and board of directors jointly shall meet as soon as possible after their appointment to fix and apportion the proper ratio, according to the ability and census. of each county, and each apportionment as may be made to each county shall be judiciously and equally divided according to the ability and census of each county, and such application may be made at the option of the commissioner of immigration and the board of directors jointly through the commissioners, courts of the various counties of the State of Alabama, the association of grangers or other organized bodies, such as boards of aldermen, boards of trade, or otherwise, as may be judged best, but it shall be in all cases a volunteer action on the part of the above-named organized bodies and on the part of the people of the various counties of the State of Alabama, SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, That neither the commissioner of immigration nor the board of directors shall pledge the credit of the State as to make it in any way liable for any sums of money beyond that which may be appropriated by voluntary action on the part of the people of this State, and as may be solicited or authorized in the foregoing sections of the various counties, and all agents of immigration, both at home and abroad, as may be appointed by the commissioner of immigration, shall receive no compensation nor salary from the State, and must be paid by the commissioner of immigration, according to the direction of the board of directors, out of the funds as solicited from different counties.

SEC. 5. Be it further enacted, That the commissioner of immigration and the board of directors may be appointed by the governor. shall and are hereby empowered jointly to increase their membership to any number, and from different sections of the State of Alabama as may at any time, in their judgment, be beneficial to the success of the commissioner of immigration and the board of directors, and in case any vacancy occurs in said board of directors by resignation or otherwise, then the remaining members shall be empowered

to fill such vacancies and of such citizens of this State as in their judgment will serve the best interest and purpose of the board of directors.

SEC. 6. Be it further enacted, That on and after the passage of this act the commissioner of immigration shall be authorized to advertise in the public journals of this State, according to the direction of the board of directors and in the name of the State of Alabama, to the effect that he is established and ready to receive and make contracts to take applications for immigrants for planters, mining and railroad companies, or other corporations or persons in the State of Alabama who desire to avail themselves of the benefits of this act, and that all other acts in contravention of this act are hereby repealed.

SEC. 7. Be it further enacted, That the said commissioner of immigration shall make an annual report of all matters on the subject of immigration and of the operations of the said commissioner and board of directors during each year to the governor, and the governor shall communicate such reports to the general assembly at its annual meeting thereafter: Provided, That nothing herein contained shall be construed or held to make the State of Alabama liable or responsible for any expenses incurred by said commissioner of immigration or board of directors in carrying out the provisions of this

act.

Approved, February 11, 1875.

II.

[Laws of Alabama, 1875, p. 120.]

AN ACT To enable aliens to acquire, hold, and dispose of property, real and personal, as native citizens.

Whereas an enlightened public policy looking to a speedy development of the resources of our State, especially its mineral resources, demands that our laws should be so shaped that every obstacle obstructing the influx of capital and labor should be removed and the most liberal inducements compatible with the genius of our institutions offered to aliens, as well as native citizens, to invest their money in our State, thus adding to our material wealth and resources: Therefore—

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Alabama, That it shall be lawful for an alien, resident or nonresident, to take and hold property, real and personal, in this State, either by purchase, descent, or devise, and to dispose of and transmit the same by sale, descent, or devise, as a native citizen.

SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That in all cases where aliens, resident or nonresident, have heretofore acquired title to property, real or personal, in this State, in a lawful manner, said aliens, their assigns, heirs, devisees, or representatives, shall hold and dispose of the same in the same manner as native citizens: Provided, That no right acquired under existing laws of this State and no suit or proceeding pending in any of the courts of this State and no right of appeal from the judgment or decree of any of the courts of this State is affected by the passage of this act.

Approved, February 25, 1875.

ACT OF 1876.

[Laws of Alabama, 1876, p. 266.]

AN ACT To induce immigration to the State of Alabama and to provide for the appointment of a commissioner and two assistant commissioners of immigration.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Alabama, That the governor is hereby authorized and empowered to appoint and commission a commissioner of immigration, and to commission two assistant commissioners of immigration, who shall be appointed by the commissioner and may be removed by him.

SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the commissioners to collect the fullest possible information and statistics as to the resources and products of the State, its topography and geography; also with regard to the price of lands for sale or lease, price of wages, and demand for labor; also with regard to manufacturing, water power, timber, minerals, soil, climate, taxes, exemptions, and schools; and to prepare and arrange such information and statistics for ready and convenient reference; and it shall be the duty of the different officers of the State to furnish said commissioners all information in their power to aid them in the performance of the duties of their office. It shall also be the duty of the commissioners to compile, publish, and circulate, in such manner and by such agencies as they may deem advisable, circulars, maps, and pamphlets descriptive of the resources of and advantages of this State, and other facts and information having a tendency to attract and promote immigration. Suitable office rooms shall be provided for said commissioners at the capital of the State.

SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That said commissioners shall be entitled to such commissions per capita on immigrants and on the sale and lease of lands as may be agreed upon between the parties contracting, but in no case shall the said commissioners pledge the credit of the State for any sum of money whatever.

SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the commissioner of immigration to report to the governor of the State on the 1st day of October of each year a condensed statement of the workings of his department. He shall keep a record of the names, time of arrival, and location of immigrants, so far as he is able to do so, and it shall be the further duty of said commissioners to obtain the most favorable terms for transportation, speed, and safety of transit to place of destination for immigrants, and to see that all stipulations are in such cases carried out in good faith.

SEC. 5. Be it further enacted, That on and after the passage of this act the commissioners of immigration shall be ready to receive applications for immigrants and propositions for the sale or lease of lands and other property to immigrants from all persons and corporations in the State of Alabama desiring to avail themselves of the benefits

of this act.

SEC. 6. Be it further enacted, That in order to carry out the intent and purposes of this act the commisioner is hereby authorized to raise the necessary means by voluntary subscription or donation or loan on such security as he can offer: Provided, however, That nothing