nished to the capitalists and the emigrant desirous of investing or settling in this State, to aid and assist as far as possible in the removal of emigrants to the State; to make suitable arrangements to receive immigrants from Europe upon their arrival at New York or Baltimore and transport them to their destination or place of employment; and generally to adopt, establish, and organize such plans and measures as will tend to secure or facilitate the development and settlement of this State. SEC. 2. Said board shall appoint a fit and proper person, who shall be known as the "commissioner of immigration," whose duties and salary shall be prescribed by said board, and who shall be subject to removal by said board. The said board shall have power to appoint all necessary clerks and agents, to prescribe their duties, and fix their salaries. SEC. 3. It shall further be the duty of said board to report annually to the legislature a full account of their acts and doings under the provisions of this act. SEC. 4. All expenses attending the operations of said board, including the salaries of its officers and agents, shall be paid out of the state treasury, on the endorsement of said board, not to exceed the amount appropriated for the purpose. Passed February 28, 1871. ACT OF 1879. [Laws of West Virginia, 1879, ch. 90, p. 170.] AN ACT Authorizing the appointment of a state agent on immigration, and appropriating money for immigration purposes. Be it enacted by the legislature of West Virginia: SECTION 1. That as soon after the passage of this act as is practicable the governor is hereby authorized and directed to appoint and commission C. E. Lutz, a citizen of Randolph County, as state agent on immigration, who shall hold the position of said agent until changed by the legislature or removed by the governor for any act detrimental to the interests of the State. Said agent is required to use all proper means to induce Swiss and other immigration into this State, and to furnish all information touching the agricultural, mining, and mechanical interests to those who are seeking new homes. Said agent is further directed to avoid any partiality or misrepresentation in furnishing information relative to the various sections and interests of this State, and to use every means calculated to develop the material resources of West Virginia. SEC. 2. That the sum of five hundred dollars is hereby appropriated, out of any moneys in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act, and the auditor is hereby directed, by order of the governor, to issue his warrant on the treasurer for the sum hereby appropriated. GEORGE H. MOFFETT, Speaker of the House of Delegates. D. D. JOHNSON, President of the Senate. OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE, I certify that the foregoing act, having been presented to the governor for his approval and not having been returned by him to the house of the legislature in which it originated within the time prescribed by the constitution of the State, has become a law without his approval. Passed March 10, 1879. S. BRADY, Secretary of State. Note by the clerk of the house of delegates.-The foregoing act takes effect at the expiration of ninety days after its passage. RESOLUTION OF 1893. [Laws of West Virginia, 1893, No. 8, p. 178.] JOINT RESOLUTION Requesting our Senators and Representatives in Congress to aid in the enactment of laws prohibiting for a time, and restricting thereafter, immigration. Whereas this country is now being flooded with immigrants of a most undesirable character, many of whom are criminals and paupers, and many connected with criminal societies; and Whereas under our present laws immigrants come to this country from places in Europe which are now suffering from cholera: Therefore, Resolved by the legislature of West Virginia: First. That we favor the enactment of such a law as will prohibit immigration for a time sufficient to protect this land from cholera and a restriction both in character and number thereafter. Second. That we request our Senators and Representatives in Congress to aid in every possible way the enactment of such laws. Third. That the governor of this State be requested to forward a copy of these resolutions to our Senators and Representatives in Congress. Adopted, January 25, 1893. WISCONSIN. DIGEST OF IMMIGRATION AND ALIEN LAWS. Memorial of 1864 (a memorial to Congress for the passage of laws tending to encourage foreign immigration to the United States). In 1864 the Wisconsin general assembly ordered a memorial to be transmitted to the United States Congress "for the passage of laws tending to encourage foreign immigration to the United States" in order to repair the loss caused to industry and agriculture by the "drain produced by our present unhappy dissensions, diverting to the army of the United States the bone and sinew of the land. There is now but one remedy, as your memorialists believe, for this great evil; and that is found in the encouragement by all proper means within the province of Congress of immigration to our shores; and that the appointment of faithful and competent agents to the different countries of Europe will be found to be the best means which could be adopted to secure a large and valuable immigration." That a law be passed exempting all such immigrants for a definite period from liability to military service. Act of 1864 (Wisconsin Immigration Company).-In 1864 the Wisconsin Immigration Company was incorporated for the "purpose of promoting, aiding, and facilitating the immigration of laborers from foreign countries to this State, for providing employment and situations for immigrants arriving here, and for furnishing money or passage for persons desiring to immigrate to this State. Act of 1867 (an act authorizing a board of immigration to be established).-An act was passed in 1867 (ch. 126, p. 122) creating a board of immigration composed of five members, including the governor and secretary of state ex officio, and three other members appointed by the governor. To assist the board, the governor is authorized to appoint a committee of three members from each county. Upon the county committees is imposed the duty of collecting lists of prospective immigrants and of disseminating data. They are required to act subject to the instructions of the state board, and to report results periodically. The state board must report annually to the legislature. All officers serve without compensation from the state, but $2,000 per annum is allowed for expenses. Act of 1867 amended.-The act of 1867 was amended in 1868. The board is increased to eight members, with the same powers and functions as under the original act. The board is empowered to offer premiums for literature which presents clearly and convincingly the State's advantages and reSources. Copyrights of all such productions vest in the State. Three thousand dollars is appropriated for annual expenses. Act of 1870 (agent in New York authorized).-By act of 1870 the governor was empowered to appoint a resident immigration agent for the city of New York "to aid the objects for which said board was organized," provided no compensation shall be paid for his services by the State. Act of 1871 (an act to create the office of state commissioner of immigration).—The office of state commissioner of immigration was created by act of 1871. The office is elective for two years. The salary and expenses shall be $2.500 per annum. The commissioner is required to give bond for $5,000, conditioned on the faithful discharge of the duties of his office. In event of a vacancy in office or of the disqualification of the commissioner the governor shall appoint a successor or substitute. The commissioner shall publish, annually, pamphlets in five specified languages, setting forth the advantages and resources of the State. He shall also secure all possible free publicity in the press of foreign nations. He shall have power to appoint county committees of three members to assist in collecting and disseminating data. Such committees shall be furnished datafor distribution, act under instructions, and make periodical reports. They may distribute data advertising their own county. The commissioner may appoint immigration agents to reside in other States or foreign countries. They shall receive no compensation. Reduced rates of transportation shall be secured for immigrants when possible. It shall be the duty of the commissioner to cooperate with the Federal Bureau of Immigration at Washington. Annual reports shall be submitted to the governor, with reliable data and sound recommendations upon which to base legislation. Five thousand dollars is appropriated for the annual expenses of the office. The appropriation to sustain the office of commissioner of immigration is reduced to $2,500 per annum, and certain provisions of the original act repealed by the act of 1874 (ch. 238, p. 549). And later, by act of 1874 (ch. 238, p. 549), the office of commissioner is abolished. Act of 1879 (an act to establish a board of immigration).-By the act of 1879 a board of immigration, consisting of five members, was created. The provisions of the act relative to powers conferred and duties assigned are substantially the same as those of the prior act of 1867 creating a board of immigration. This board shall include the governor, the secretary of state, and three members to be appointed by the governor. Act of 1887 (board of immigration abolished).-In 1887 the board of immigration was abolished by special act. Act of 1895 (an act to establish a board of immigration).-An act of 1895 reestablished the board of immigration, constituted in the same way and with powers practically identical with those of the former board. But the act of 1895 was amended in 1897 to provide that the governor and secretary of state should constitute the board with the power to appoint a salaried secretary. The secretary is charged with the practical administration of the work of the board, and the powers conferred are the same as those provided in former acts. Act of 1909 (personnel of board changed).-The preceding act of 1895 was amended in 1909, changing the personnel of the board and altering its administrative powers. The secretary of state, the dean of the College of Agriculture, and the president of the state board of agriculture shall constitute a state board of immigration. A |