ACT OF 1885.

[Oregon Laws, 1885, p. 33.]

AN ACT To provide for the appointment of a board of immigration commissioners and the appropriation of money for immigration purposes.

Be it enacted by the legislative assembly of the State of Oregon: SECTION 1. That the governor of the State is hereby empowered and authorized to appoint a state board of immigration commissioners, to consist of five members, to act without salary or other compensation, who shall have power to adopt rules and regulations, not contrary to the laws of the State, for the transaction of such immigration matters as may come before them.

SEC. 2. That vacancies in said board shall be filled by appointment by the governor.

SEC. 3. That the sum of five thousand dollars, for the year 1885, and the sum of five thousand dollars, for the year 1886, be, and is hereby, appropriated out of the general funds of the State, for the purpose of disseminating such accurate and trustworthy information regarding the resources of Oregon, and the inducements offered, as shall tend to locate a desirable class of immigration upon lands in this State, and for paying such expenses as may be incurred by said commissioners.

SEC. 4. That the money so appropriated shall not be expended for any other purposes than that designated by this act.

SEC. 5. That the money so appropriated shall be paid upon the presentation of a warrant drawn on the state treasurer by the secretary of state, accompanied by a certified account signed by the secretary of the board and a majority of the commissioners.

SEC. 6. As this act is deemed of great public importance, it shall become a law immediately after its passage and approval by the

PENNSYLVANIA.

DIGEST OF IMMIGRATION AND ALIEN LAWS.

Act of 1778.-An act was passed in 1778 for making valid the title of lands held under persons born out of the allegiance of the Crown of Great Britain and who have died not having been naturalized.

Act of 1807 (an act to enable aliens in certain cases to purchase and hold real estate within this Commonwealth).-By the act of 1807 alien friends resident within the Commonwealth are empowered to purchase and hold real estate, provided such aliens have declared their intention to become citizens in accordance with the act of Congress relating thereto.

Act of 1811.-The act of 1811 was passed to remedy defects in the titles to real estate purchased by certain emigrants within the Commonwealth during the time they were aliens. Purchases of real estate by aliens were made valid in case they afterwards became naturalized.

Act of 1814.-The act of 1814 amended the prior act of 1811, intended to remedy defects in titles to real estate purchased by aliens. This act extends the provisions of the former act to all purchases, contracts, and sales made since passing the act of 1811.

Act of 1844.-The act of 1844 is a further supplement to the act of 1809 to enable aliens to purchase and hold real estate in the Commonwealth.

Act of 1874 (an act to incorporate the American Immigration and Land Company).-The American Immigration and Land Company was incorporated by statute in 1874. The purposes and powers of the corporation were to stimulate, promote, and encourage immigration by a systematic diffusion abroad of information relating to the various interests, industries, character, capabilities, resources, attractions, and advantages of the various sections of the United States; to aid and assist immigrants (in every proper and effective manner) by transporting them to their destination, protecting them against fraud or imposition, securing their legal rights and privileges, establishing them in profitable industries, and by any other beneficial service. The capital stock shall not exceed $500,000. Other usual and ordinary corporate powers are conferred.

Joint resolution No. 14, 1878.-Petitions from citizens of the State. urged action by the legislature tending to relieve prevailing distress. The increase of laborers by reason of the rebellion, the overproduction of materials and mining resources, and the financial stringency, with resulting evils which the State is unable to relieve, require the legislature to recommend that Congress devise a means for encouraging needed national improvements and for transferring a portion of the surplus labor to the national domain in order to relieve the congested conditions.

Joint resolution No. 8, 1895.-Recognizing "in the constant influx of an ignorant and vicious class of immigrants a great and growing evil, highly injurious to American workingmen and dangerous to American institutions, the legislature recommends that Congress enact some law to correct the evil.

Joint resolution No. 44, 1897.-The unsatisfactory conditions existing among laboring men, resulting in low wages and lack of employment, are largely due to the continued tide of immigration bringing pauper labor of Europe into competition with intelligent and skilled labor of America; therefore, the legislature recommends the enactment of a law by Congress for the limitation of immigration.

IMMIGRATION AND ALIEN LAWS.

ACT OF 1778.

[Pennsylvania State Laws, 1778, ch. 792, p. 461.]

AN ACT For making valid the title of lands held under persons born out of the allegiance of the Crown of Great Britain, and who have died, not having been naturalized.

Whereas the many advantages to be derived from the settling of a new and fertile country, under a Government more free than some of those of the European States, induced many persons, not born in allegiance to the Crown of Great Britain, to settle in Pennsylvania while it remained subject to that Crown, and confiding in the justice and equity of the then Government, and assurances given by the late William Penn, esquire, laid out their money in lands and improved the same with great industry, and have thereby acquired a just and equitable title thereto, and many of them died not having been naturalized, whereby their titles in the law were defective and the attempt of the legislature under the said Government to remedy the inconveniences and hardships arising thereby to the heirs, devisees, and assigns of such persons have, through the rigid policy of Great Britain, been rendered ineffectual and abortive: For remedy whereof, Be it enacted, and it is hereby enacted, That the heirs, devisees, and assigns of persons born out of allegiance of the Crown of Great Britain, and who have removed to this or any of the adjoining States for the purpose of settling, and who have died not having been naturalized, shall hold their estates, respectively, as if such persons, so having died, and not having been naturalized, had been born in allegiance to the said Crown of Great Britain, or had been naturalized by law in due form made and enacted for that purpose, any law, usage, or custom to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding. Passed August 31, 1778.

ACT OF 1807.

[Pennsylvania State Laws, 1807, ch. 2737, p. 362.]

AN ACT To enable aliens in certain cases to purchase and hold real estate within this Commonwealth.

Be it enacted by the senate and house of representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in general assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same:

SECTION 1. That from and after the passing of this act, it shall and may be lawful for any alien or aliens, actually resident within this Commonwealth, and not being the subject or subjects of some sovereign state or power, which is or shall be at the time or times of such purchase or purchases at war with the United States of America to purchase lands, tenements, and heriditaments within this Commonwealth, and to have and to hold the same in fee simple, or for any lesser estate as fully to all intents and purposes as any natural-born citizen or citizens may or can do: Provided always, That such alien or aliens shall previously to such purchase or purchases declare his or their intention to become a citizen or citizens of the United States, agreeably to any law of the United States at the time in force upon that subject: And provided also, That no such alien or aliens shall be competent to purchase and hold more than five hundred acres until he or they shall actually become a citizen or citizens of the United States.

ACT OF 1811.

[Pennsylvania State Laws, 1811, ch. 3324, p. 211.]

AN ACT To remedy defects in the titles to real estate purchased by certain emigrants within this Commonwealth during the time they were aliens.

Be it enacted by the senate and house of representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in general assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same:

SECTION 1. That all purchases of real estate made by emigrants resident within this Commonwealth previous to declaring their intentions to become citizens of the United States, and who since purchasing the same have been naturalized, in conformity with the laws of the United States on that subject, shall be as valid to all intents and purposes, and shall be construed to vest the title to the said real estate in the purchasers as fully and absolutely as if they had been citizens at the time they purchased the same.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That in all cases where aliens have purchased real estate within this Commonwealth and have sold the same to citizens of the United States, the said sales shall be valid to all intents and purposes, and shall be construed to vest the title to the said real estate in the citizens aforesaid, as fully and effectually as if the said aliens had been citizens at the time of purchasing the same.

Passed March 29, 1811.

ACT OF 1814.

[Pennsylvania State Laws, 1814, ch. 3907, p. 178.]

A SUPPLEMENT To an act entitled "An act to remedy defects in the titles of real estate purchased by certain emigrants within this Commonwealth during the time they were aliens."

Be it enacted by the senate and house of representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in general assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same:

SECTION 1. That all the provisions of the act entitled "An act to remedy defects in the titles of real estate purchased by certain emigrants within this Commonwealth during the time they were aliens,” passed the 20th day of March, 1811, be, and the same are hereby, extended to all purchases, contracts, and sales made since the passing of said act.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That it shall be lawful for any alien who, on the 18th day of June, 1812, resided, and has since continued to reside, in this State, and who is a subject of any sovereign, state, or nation at war with the United States, after having filed, according to law, a declaration of his intention to become a citizen of the United States, to receive, hold, and convey any lands and tenements within this Commonwealth not exceeding in quantity two hundred acres, nor in value twenty thousand dollars, as fully, to all intents and purposes, as a citizen of the United States can do.

Passed March 22, 1814.

ACT OF 1844.

[Pennsylvania State Laws, 1844, No. 192, p. 274.]

A FURTHER SUPPLEMENT To an act entitled "An act to enable aliens to purchase and hold real estate in this Commonwealth."

Be it enacted by the senate and house of representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in general assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same:

SECTION 1. That all purchases of lands, tenements, and hereditaments within this Commonwealth, not exceeding two thousand acres. heretofore made by any alien or aliens, and in all cases where such alien or aliens shall have inherited the same by descent or otherwise, the title of such alien or aliens is hereby confirmed; and it shall be lawful for such alien or aliens to hold the same as fully and to all intents and purposes as any citizen of the United States could or might do: Provided, That nothing herein contained shall in anywise affect or impair the vested rights of any individual or individuals.

SEC. 2. In all cases where aliens have purchased real estate within this Commonwealth, and have sold the same to citizens of the United States, the said sales shall be valid to all intents and purposes and shall be construed to vest the title to the said real estate in the citizens aforesaid as fully and effectually as if the said aliens had been citizens at the time of purchasing the same.

Approved, April 16, 1844.