Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-03-19
STUDYING CENSUS STATISTICS.

We have before us copy of the Courier
journal containing table of statistics,
showing an exhibit of the great industries
of the country, as appears from the census
of 1850, 1860 and 1870. It's n source of
pleasure as well as of profit, to every one
interested in the astonishing progress that
has marked our history during the last
quarter of a century. In every State the
amount of capital invested in manufacture
ing enterprises has doubled and in most of
them have quadrupled and even more, in
the time mentioned.
In Tennessee we have very justly ac-
quired the character of sluggards. While
other States have made rapid strides on
the highway to fortune, we have slept the
sleep of Rip Van Wrinkle. But even
here, the exhibit is by no means discour-
aging. In 1850 we had 2.SS7 manufacture
ing establishments, employing 1909
hands, with a capital invested of only &c.
527, 729. In 1860 we had 2,572 establish
ments, giving employment to 12,52S hands,
with capital of S14, 426, 26l. This was
while we Were yet cursed with the institu
ton of slavery, that deranged our whole
labor system, and caused capital
10 flow in unnatural and Improbable
channels. In the nextten years our State
suffered from the ravages of war. During
a great portion of the time, large hostile
armies were quartered upon us, eating up
our substance and destroying property by
the hundred thousands. Society was de-
ranged, men were disheartened, and moth
ing,was done to improve our material in
terests. More than half of that decade
was worse than lost to Tennessee. But
with all this, our industries have
very materially increased Our
manufacturing establishments in 1870
were 5,317. furnishing employ
ment to 1S,467 hands, with capital in
vested of S15, 595, 295. This was three years
ago, and in that time, we are safe in say
ing, our industries have increased more
than one-half. There is at least 800, 000,-
600 of capital now invested in manufactur-
ing in Tennessee. Taken by itself, this
does not look so bad. But if We compare
Tennessee with Rhode Island, it does not
appear favorable to us. Our territory
would make 40 States as large as Rhode
Island and have a remnant left. Our pop
ulation is a little less than six times
that of Rhode Island. While in 1870
Tennessee had SIS, 595, 295 employed in
manufacturing, Rhode Island had $685.,
557, 800, or more than four times that of
Tennessee. Twenty years ago, Rhode
Island had three millions less employed in
manufacturing than Tennessee has now.
In less than twenty years Tennessee ought
to have more than a hundred millions en-
ployed in using the wealth and power ma
ture has given us. viii we have it? There
is no reason why we should not.
We now have a population of n little
more than ion-and-a-quarter. Our
territory is sufficient, as Hon. j. b. Jeup
said in an able speech before the Legisla-
ture few days ago, on the Immigration
question, to support a population of eight
millions, or one-fifth of the entire popula-
ton of the United States.
Tennessee is bound to become great
State. We may hold her back, and clog
the wheels of progress SO far she is con
cerned during the present generation, but
when we are dead and gone, a thriftier anG
more enterprising population will take
our places and push her forward if We
neglect to do so now. L
we fail to do our duty, We
will in good time be cut down as cum
berers of the ground, and men will take
our places who do not understand our adj
vantages, and understanding them viii
| reap a rich reward
1t will do us good to take the census
tables, bearing on population, industries
&C., and compare our State with others
See how others have moved forward, then
in a dispassionate manner, inquire into
the causes that have led to their prosperi
| ty. Let us inquire into the causes for oul
snail-like pace, and see if in the future we
can not improve the matter.
SERIOUS apprehensions are felt in France
! it is said, for the health of President Theirs