Chap. 71.—An ACT to provide for the creation of a commissioner
and burean of immigration.

Approved April 2, 1879.

Whereas, in order to secure practical resnlts and substantial
benefits from the efforts and expenditures that have been made
by the state, and that are now being made by individuals and
corporations therein to encourage aud promote immigration to
and investment of capital in the state, it is deemed important
and necessary to create and put mto operation some permanent
organization under the sanction and authority of the state for
the continuance and prosecution of this work, such organiza-
tion having for its special object the collection, record and dis-
semination of such full and acourate information of a general
and specific character as shall be useful to those secking such
information with a view of settlement or investment of capital
in the state, and from a source impartial, anthoritative and re-
Niable; and whereas such an orgenization will greatly aid in
promoting the efforts that are now being nade, and that are
likely to be made hereafter to induce immigration and promote
the investment of capital within the state, by various persons,

associations and corporations, who will be directly and mate-
rially benefited by such immigration and investment of capital ;
and a8 it is believed that such persons, associations and cor.
porations will contribute voluntarily means sufficient to render
such an organization practical and cffictent without expense to
the state; therefore,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
there shall be a hureau of immigration for the state, to be con-
stituted as hereinafter provided. under the style of The Bureau
of Immigration of Virginia.

2. The said bureau of immigration shall be conducted by a
board of managers to be composed of the comiissioner of agri-
culture of the state, who shall be ex-officio chairman of said
board, and shall be styled the Commissioner of Immigration
for Virginia, and such additional number of managers, not eX-
ceeding twelve, as shall be agreed on by the several persons
and corporations who shall contribute to the maintenance of
said burean a sum not less than one hundred dollars per
annum. Such managers shall be appotnted by said contributors
in the manner and under such regulations as shall be preseribed
for the time by the said commissioner of immigration.

3. The said board of managers when appointed and organ-
ized shall have authority to make such permanent rules and
regulations for per fecting the organization and conducting the
work of the bureau as they shall deem necessary and useful.
They may appoint such agents as shall be required to conduct
the work of the bureau, and prescribe their compensation.

4, It shall be the business and duty of said bureau to obtain
full and aeeurate information of a general and specific char-
acter as may be wanted by or be useful to any and all persons
who may be desirous of or induced to settle, or make invyest-
ment of capital within the state; to collect and make record
of all such information as shall be deemed of sufficient im-
portance, and shall keep the same on file at a general office, to
be located at Richmond. It shall also cause to be collected
from time to time, for publication and distribution, such facts
and statistics respecting the advantages and resources of the
state, its soil, climate, mineral wealth and production, and
special advantages for manufacturing industries as may be
deemed tnportant or useful in promoting the objects contem-
plated; to make, as far as practicable, arrangements with the
rallroads and steamship companies for transportation at re-
duced rates of persons and property of those desirous of set-
timg in Virginia, or who may wish to visit the state with a
view of setilement or investment of capital; and generally to
devise, organize and carry out such plans and measures as, in
the judgment of said board of managers, will tend to secure an
increase of population in the state through immigration, and
the judicious investment of capital in all the various industries
of the state. The said board shall have authority to employ
such clerical and other foree, and incur such other costs and
expenses aS may be found necessary to conduct and properly
carry out the work and objects as hereinabove declared; and
for this purpose may make and fulfil all such lawful contracts
as shall be deemed necessary thereto. The said board of
managers shall, when required, by the general assembly, make,
through its chairman, the commissioner of immigration, such
reports and statistical statements of the operations and results
of said burean as, in the judgement of the general assembly,
may be useful and shall be required.
5. This act shall be in force from its passage.