The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-13

is b.. IS as $3.50 $3.50 q s sss
e ss:: s ssss sss5s :
Total. oO7 s12 oa2 515 545 $50 44 1853 "a 475
Total increase in five years. 1913 800
1t will be thus seen that the population COM
prised within the twenty-five wards of this city,
in 1855, amounts, in round numbers, to six
hundred and forty thousand. This is cons-
derably less figure than was anticipated some
six months ago as likely to result from the re-
turns of the Census Marshals but still we
think it is or ought to be satisfactory, and we
shall proceed to show why.
In comparison with the population of 1850,
that of 1855 shows an increase of "a per cent.
This per centage has only been outstripped
between 1880 and 1855. These instances were
in the term between Is45 and 1S50-within
which this city attained its greatest momen-
tum Of expansion-when the increase of popu-
lation reached 38 As per cent and in the
term between 1880 and 1864 period of like
wonderful progress-when the increase reached
33 per cent. The increase which we now re-
two terms, for between 1910 and 1916 it was
but Is 3-5 per cent; and between 1885 and
1910 it was but Is As per cent. So that it
results from comparison Of these figures that
the growth of New York in point of popula-
ton, from 1850 to 1855, is very nearly fair
average Of its total increase for the last
twenty-five years. And that is saying not
little in favor Of the figures now presented,
considering that New York has within that
quarter of century more than trebled her
population ion . . ,..... 20.
1865 the ratio of increase has been 1876 81
per cent, the census at the first named period
being 270,0s9, against 639,444 at the last.
This rate of increase has far outstripped that
which has taken place either in the State of
New York or in the United States. Not
having the figures for 1855, we take The same
lapse of time between 1880 and 1850, and find
that the rate of increase in the State, exclu-
siye of the city and county Of New York. has
been but so per cent and in the United States
so Ia per cent. A comparison of these figures
with those showing the increase of the city
population during like space Of time will
show the enormous growth which has taken
place in this metropolis. 1t would require but
ten years more Of the same rate of increase to
place our population at a million of souls, and
but twenty to give us million and half. If
the State at large had progressed at the same
rate for the last five years, its population now
would be 3,796,2s0; and if the United States
had progressed at the same rate for the same
time, the population Of the Republic would be
now 2s,756,932. But from the comparison
which we have before instituted, it will be seen
that both the State and the United States have
fallen far behind this city in the momentum of
progress attained in the matter Of population.
But while the figures we have cited may well
excite our pride and glory in the increasing
magnitude of this great metropolis, there are
Others hidden or kept back in the details,
which reveal something not quite SO aattering
to us in respect to the mode of accommoda-
tions provided for our citizens. In some Of the
particularly in the Eastern portion of
the city, between the Third avenue and the
East riyer-human beings are compelled to
filthy and squalid condition. OF course, the
census returns do not tell us that, but they
give us the number of houses in q
ward, and the number of the popula-
ton, and ii results from a simple figuring
in the rule Of division, that there are in
some wards eighteen, nineteen or TWEEN
ty individuals to each house. OF course
when il enters into the calculation that not
more than one-half or one-third of the houses
in any ward are appropriated to these tene-
ment purposes, but are occupied by single ia
miles. it must result that in these ill-yentlated.
discovered and filthy habitations which are
alone provided for the toling mechanic, there
are crowded together sometimes six, twelve or
| even score of families. An article which we
published in yesterdays HERALD CONVEYS q
faithful description of this kind of property and
| Of The causes which lead 20 the erection of such
| houses, and we need, therefore, do no more
| here than to glance at the subject and express
hope that the day will soon come wheu in this
metropolis Of which we are so justly proud.
that portion Of our populaton---whose labor is
the chief source and cause Of It's wealth-may
have habitations III for them 10 dwell in. In
London. where small and suitable residences can
he obtained at rents to suit the pocket Of the