INFORMATION FOR ALIEN IMMIGRANTS.

CUSTOMS DUTIES OF THE UNITED STATES.

Immigrants to the United States may bring with them the following articles without being required to pay duties thereon:

Books and "household effects," used abroad by them not less than one year, and not intended for any other persons or for sale. [The words "household effects" include furniture, family pictures, pianos and similar musical instruments, etc.]

Wearing apparel in actual use, and other "personal effects." [By "personal effects" are meant jewelry, ornaments worn on the person, and like articles.]

The tools, implements, instruments, and professional books of the immigrant's trade, occupation, or employment. This does not include "machinery or articles imported for use in any manufacturing establishment, or for sale."

Teams (with harness and wagon) actually used by the immigrant in transporting his property over some part of the journey between his foreign residence and the United States. Such use of the team for even a short distance is sufficient, if that distance is actually part of the journey.

All the baggage of immigrants is examined by the customs authorities of the United States at the frontier. If the immigrant does not accompany his luggage he should not fail to go to the office of the American Consul nearest his point of departure and obtain an owner's certificate, and comply with certain forms whose nature he can learn there.

The customs authorities of the United States are instructed to deal liberally with immigrants in construing the laws admitting their property free of duty.

UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP.

Any alien may become a citizen of the United States by complying with the following conditions:

1. He must first declare his intention to become a citizen and to renounce his foreign allegiance before the clerk of some court of record. He may do this at any time after his arrival in the United States, and this is all that is necessary to enable him to take up a homestead upon United States land.

After a continued residence of five years in the United States, and at least two years after his declaration of intention, he may become a citizen by taking the required oath in open court of record in any State or territory in which he has lived for one year preceding.

2. Any alien of the age of 21 years who has served one year or more in the United States army (regular or volunteer), and has been honorably discharged, can become a citizen by showing these facts and proving that he has resided in the United States for one year preceding his application.

3. Any alien who has resided continuously in the United States for five years, three years at least of which must have been during his minority, may become a citizen of the United States without any previous declaration of intention.

4. The minor children of naturalized aliens are, if residents of the United States, citizens thereof.

5. The widow and children of any alien, who dies after the declaration of intention but before full naturalization, are considered citizens of the United States.

6. Any alien who, having declared his intention to become a citizen, shall serve three years on any merchant vessel of the United States may at the end of that time become a citizen by application to the clerk of any court of record and the production of his certificate of discharge and good conduct.

VOTING IN MICHIGAN.

Voting in Michigan is regulated by the State, subject to that provision of the constitution of the United States which forbids any State from "denying or abridging" the right of citizens to vote on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude." All voting is done by secret ballot, and the right to vote is conferred on two classes: 1. Males over 21 years of age who are citizens (that is, natives or naturalized aliens) and have resided in the State three months and in any township or ward ten days preceding any given election. 2. Male aliens of twenty-one not yet fully naturalized, who have resided in the State two years and six months, have declared their intentions to become United States citizens six months preceding any election, and have lived in any township or ward ten days preceding such election.

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GENERAL SUGGESTIONS.

The best time for immigrants to come to Michigan is in the spring or early sumThe mild months of the year are those in which new comers can most comfortably select their homes and most easily become accustomed to a strange climate. No one who has a family dependent upon him should start without some money beyond the amount necessary for the journey. Young and single men can get along with very little if they are willing to work, but no one should come in an absolutely penniless condition, unless through friends here he has secured employment before leaving his home.

The advice of trustworthy acquaintances already located in Michigan will be of great value to any immigrant, and those proposing to come to this State who have friends already here are urged to correspond with them before starting.

The immigrant should plan his journey at its outset, and should buy his tickets through to his destination if possible. If he brings any large sum of money it should be in the form of drafts, and care should be taken to get them paid either by the house upon which they are drawn or at some established banking house. Money brought on the person should be in gold coin. Immigrants should not bring bulky furniture, farming implements, or stock; it is more economical to sell off such articles and buy anew here. Clothing, bedding, mechanics' tools for actual use, and household cutlery may be brought, and all such articles are passed without duties by the customs officers of the United States. All luggage should be closely packed, strongly corded, and plainly marked.

On the journey immigrants should carefully observe the instructions of the officers of steamship and railroad lines, who can be distinguished by their uniforms. In the

large American cities the policemen also wear uniforms, and will furnish any information on application. Too much care cannot be taken in avoiding swindlers, and no prudent man will tempt thieves by publicly exhibiting valuables or money. A basket of portable food will be found exceedingly convenient on the railroads.

Michigan offers especial attractions to farmers. They can secure homes cheaply, are their own employers, and can always find markets for their crops. Mechanics, miners, and skilled workmen are also needed, and unskilled laborers can usually secure work without much delay. Clerks, salesmen, and professional men will find it much more difficult to obtain employment. A good plan for an immigrant is to accept the first kind of labor that offers itself on reaching Michigan, and then take time to look about him before locating permanently.

COMMISSIONER OF IMMIGRATION.

In his inaugural message to the Michigan Legislature at the beginning of its biennial session in January, 1881, Governor Jerome used the following language:

"There are millions of acres of good farming lands in this State unoccupied. The building of the lines of railroad traversing the entire length of the lower peninsula north and south, together with the east and west roads lately completed, and the prospective completion at an early day of the Detroit, Mackinac and Marquette railroad, has opened and will open to easy access a vast extent of unoccupied farming lands. The influx of settlers upon these lands would add largely to the productive wealth and taxable resources of the State. Through the potent influences of the proper agencies, emigrants have been taken beyond Michigan, and great States have been built up west of us, and this largely by judicious systems of making known their advantages. No State or Territory east or west has advantages superior to those of Michigan. To secure our share of the emigrants now landing upon the shores of the United States, and of the surplus population of the eastern States, we should make known our resources, so rich, numerous, and varied-our fertile lands now in market at moderate prices, our admirable school system, and the many attractions offered to the emigrant who desires not only good soil and a healthy climate, but good markets, good government and pleasant social relations, which are assured by the general character and traditions of Michigan society."

In accordance with these suggestions the Legislature in June following passed a law authorizing the appointment of a Commissioner of Immigration, to act under the advice and direction of the Governor, "for the purpose," as declared by its terms, "of encouraging immigration to Michigan from the other States and from the countries of Europe." The obvious intent of this enactment was that its object should be sought by giving wider publicity to the resources and characteristics of the State, and the direct methods which are employed in carrying it into effect are the diffusion of reliable information, the stimulation of inquiries among the people of "other States and countries," the acquisition through personal acquaintance and correspondence of facilities for prompt and intelligent replies, and direct intercourse or communication with parties seeking new fields of labor and enterprise. There is no design to solicit colonization for the sake merely of enlarging the number of inhabitants. What the State invites is men who will add to its industry, increase its resources, develop its soil, and take an interest in its prosperity, and this class are most effectively addressed through their intelligence and sense of thrift. Fortunately, the strongest claims that can be advanced in behalf of Michigan are contained in a simple statement of facts.

It is in pursuance of the will of the Legislature that this pamphlet is published. It has been prepared with scrupulous care to avoid mistakes or exaggerations, and it goes to the public with a full sense of the responsibility involved in the fact that it is issued under the sanction of the State. The figures which have been employed in its compilation have been taken from official sources, or have been furnished by recognized authorities, and the statements it contains are believed to be reliable. It is intended principally as an exposition of the general resources and characteristics of Michigan, and will serve, it is hoped, to elicit inquiries for more minute information. In the furtherance of its work it is thought the office may also become useful in promoting a better knowledge among our citizens of the wealth and possibilities of their own State. If this knowledge shall be sufficient to satisfy young men of limited means belonging to our own families in the older counties that there are opportunities for them here in Michigan more promising than the attractions, seen through the