Southwestern Immigration Work

The work of developing Uie soutiiwesi and opening it to settlement lias not been pursued as a work of pure benevolence, and it is fortúnate for settlers that it is so. It is well that this work has been done by intelligent, honest and thorough business men, who have looked at things in a business light, and have only bcgun operations in any given section when thatsection was ready to be settled. In Kansas when the raihoads had reached the plains, and it was possible for the farmer to reach the markct with hisgrain and stock, the atten tion of tlie entire country was called to the immense bodies of magnificent farming land which were offered at phenomenally low prices. In ten years threequartersof a mülion of people went into that state to stay. Thoifsands who would otherwise be living on rented farms or working by the day in eastern citiesare now independeutly situated on farms of their own in Kansas. Towards this end the railroad compauies worked remembcring that their prosperity depended upon that of tliosc along tlieir Unes. Now that the ad vantages of Kansas are so universally conceded, at least one of the railroad couipanies is looking beyond. Realiziug that the settlement of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Aiïzona, California, and Old Mexico would not only inake homes for thousands who find a bare subsistence elsewhere.but would also add materially to the revenues of the Company in the future. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, about one year ago, organizcd the Department of' Immigration at Topeka, Kansas. As ehief of this Department they chose a Com mlssioner of Iminigration, who, for twelve years past, bas been identified with work of this cbaracter, and Is thoroughly acquainted with the Southwest ind its resources. It has been and will be the purpose of this Department to inform intenüing immigrants of the most desirable localities in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Old Mexico, and such portions of Kansas ars are not included in the railroad land grant . The agents of this Department have already penetrated every state east of the Mississippi and nearly every country In Kurope,and have brought to the notice of thousands or people the Oppoftiltlo Jütiv J rt f Anorfrv nnd ambition in the Southwest. Hundreds have taken advantage of their assistance and bettered their conditionby going into this new empire. During the ensuijig year the Department will issue nuiidreds or thousands of pamphlets, folders and other printed matter with regard to thiscomparatively unknown región. These pamphlets may be bad by addressing the Department atTopeka. The reading matter will be accompanied by maps of the states and territories discussed. The publicaron will be accurate, reliable, and readable and cal culated to be valuable and interesting to those who hare no thought of moving, as well as to those who expect to try their fortunes in the beyond. The documents will be issued In English, Germán, Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian. While fully understanding that this work is being done to advance the interests of all concerned -the railroadsas well as the settlers,- we cannot but commend the Department of immigration and encourage it in its task of tinding homes tor thejiomeless. It is , to be hoped that the brilliant success it has achieved during .the past year may continue. _____ - Young lady: "The word 'cali' in poker has a different signitícance froni what it does in society. In poker, if your opponent 'calis' you have got to 'see' him, without any excuse of sicKness or 'not at home.' " - Chicago Times. - "What we want in this here community," said an Arkansaw school director, "is eddication. Some time ago, when I didn't know nothin', I was looked down on; but now look at me. Been indicted fur forgin' a ckeck."- Arkansaw Ir aveier. - "Halloa, Jim, howisthat new brass band scheme of yours coming on?" "Oh, iinely, I have got my uniform most done." "What are you to be?" "I am to be the drum-major, sir. "Have you secured the instruments for the other members?" "Well, no, you see there ain't any other members jet."- Troy Times. - To test your musical talent: Whistle all the time. Sing the rest of the time. Hum a bar of every new opera incessantly. Drum on the table with your lingera and pat the Hoor with your foot. If your friends do not place you in a lunatic asylumn after this, 3011 will be warranted in buying a cornet, ilute, violin, accordion orhiring a piano, -Hartford Post. - "Do you know," said a Main street young man to the young lady who was driving while out sleigh-riding, "that in Elmira the other day two young people were out just as we are and the sleigh upset and that little accident was the cause of a wedding within a week?" Ten minutes later they were floundering in the snow, but the girl says it was an