Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1857-06-20
Progressive Growth Of Cities.

LONDON Is now the greatest concentration OF hu-
man power the world has ever known. Will its su-
premacy be permanent or will it, like its predeces-
sors, be eclipsed by Western rivals: New Workers
do not doubt that their city, numbering little
more than onethird the population of London; will
within the next so years be greater than the metro
polls OF the British empire New York, with her
immediate dependencies, numbers about 100000.
Since 100 she has established law of growth which
doubles her population in l5 years. If this law
continues to operate she may be expected to pos
sess 100000 in 1871; 5000, 900 in 1886; and T.
zoo, 900 in 1901. If 20 years be allowed New York
as her future period Of duplication, she would still
overtake London by the end of so years. London
may then have 100000; New York will almost
certainly have more than that number. Will the
star OF empire become stationary at New Yorks The
interior plain of North America has within itself
more means to sustain dense population in civiliz-
ed comfort than Gny other region of the world. The
star OF empire cannot be arrested in its western
course before it reaches this plain Its most prom
ising city at present is Chicago. The law of its
growth since 1910 seems to be duplication within
four years. In 1910 it numbered 4,479. In June of
this year it will contain 8S 900. At the same rate
of increase carried forward it will overtake New
York In 23 years. If the growth of Chicago should
in future be measured by duplication every seven
years, it would contain 1922 900 in AZ years. In
1901, 45 years from this time, the central plain in
Guiding the Canadas, will contain about 10000 900
of people Its chief city may reasonably be expect
Before the end of this century, the cities and towns
of this central plain Will contain, with heir suburbs
not less than half the entire populations that is to
say, 40 600 000 How these millions shall be appor-
toned among The cities of that day is subject for
curious speculation. Some % years ago it was pre-
dicted by this writer that interior cities
of North America would within so years become
larger than New Orleans, and ultimately second
only to New York Cincinnati and st. Louis were
then believed to be the favored points. About l6
years ago, canals and railways gave indications of
their ability to transfer the seats Of commerce of the
interior plain from the river to the lake borders 1t
was then confidently asserted that the greatest cities
would grow up at Chicago, Toledo, and other COM
nlercial points on the great lake. To most men at
that time, the idea that any lake city west of Bua
10 could become larger than that receptacle of lake
commerce, seemed as preposterous did the opin-
ion dozen years earlier that New Orleans could be
rivalled by Cincinnati. To him it appeared
tain as the movement OF time, that Chicago Toledo,
Cleveland, and some other commercial points the
lakes, would become greater than Buffalo. Chicago
leads the procession, having passed Buffalo the pre-
sent year. Cleveland and Detroit are to follow
next, to be succeeded by Toledo, which will certain
ly pass these and be only second to Chicago if in
deed she becomes not rival of that city in the long
race for supremacy. Between 1910 and 1850 the
chief cities of the central pain taken together, in
creased at the annual rate of per cent compound
ed This rate was much exceeded by the most
hourishing. ST. Louis had an average annual in
crease of Is per cent? Chicago of over 20 per cent
and Milwaukee of 26 per cent. Since 1850, for six
years to June, 1856, Chicago has continued to in
at the average rate of 20 per cent compound
ed yearly. Toledo has little exceeded that rate.
Detroit and Cleveland have had annual increase
of 16 per cent Of the Canadian cities of the plain,
no one, except perhaps Montreal, can claim to be
numbered among the future great marts of the
world. Hunts (NeW York; Merchants Magazine.