Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-03-10
RACES In THE CENSUS.
WHITES AND BLACKS-NATIVES
AND FOREIGNERS.
Increase CT the NegrOes-Distrfbu.
ton fNatIOnaIities-AD DO-NOthIng
Congress.


News must think that of late have been a
veritable ''old statistics" have in truth run
little to the discussion of census matters, but,
in view of the fact that they are matters of
national interest, plead my excuse wish
now to give in as short form as possible the
deductions of the Census Office in regard to the
population of the United States, classified by
race These deductions are based upon the
official figures Of the recent census. These de.
ductions relate only to the white and
colored races. The greatest proportion
or colored to white is in
South Carolina, where three-fifths Of the whole
population are colored. In Louisiana and Mis-
sissippi from oue-half to three f1fths are col
ored. In Alabama District of Columbia. Flori-
da, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia the
colored form one-third to one-half the total
population. In Arkansas and Tennessee from
one-fourth to one-third OF the total population
are colored. The least proportion among the
former slave States is in West Virginia, where
there are but 4,355 to 100 900 whites, and in
Missouri where there are but 1853 In Georgia
and Florida the percentage of colored popula-
ton is 90 per cent, or ] per cent. of white
population. Outside the former slave
States, the population of negroes
is very small In the United
States, as a whole, there has been a gain of
colored population of 634 on assumed basis
of 200 whites The great relative gains dur
ing the decade have apparently been made
in the South, the former slaveholding States
or the nine Of these States which have gained,
eight stand at the head of the list, having made
relative gains ranging from 944 to nearly II .000
It is believed by the Census Office, however
that these apparent gains are due in a great
measure to the imperfections of the census of
1870 Under the conditions which prevailed at
that time. 1t is probable that much larger pro-
OF the former slave States which have lost,
Texas and Florida lead. Both these
States have received heavy white
Immigration from other parts Of
anced whatever gain in colored population
may have been made. They have been the
scene OF rapid development, and thus the rela-
tive decrease of blacks is to be accounted for,
not by an exodus, or dying out, but by an
infusion Of whites. The movement of blacks
in the Northern and Western States has ap-
parently been of little comparative account
The migration of negroes has not attained
to such dimensions as to be perceptibIe in
these comparative tables. The States from
which the exodus principally took place
Mississippi, Louisiana and North Carolina
have ell apparently gained heavily in relative
proportion of blacks, while Kansas, to which
the major part went. has lost, and In llama has
gained but slightly in proportion of negroes.
THE FOREIGN ELEMENT.
In regard to the foreign element in this coun-
try, the census officials conclude that in no
State or Territory does it equal the native
although in many it bears very large proper
ton. In Georgia the foreign born are less than
two per cent. of the native; in Florida there are
between two and ten per cent. of the native
With three exceptions-FIorida, Louisiana and
Texas, the Southern States are practically
without any foreign element. In those States
where the foreign element is large the general
causes apparent In the Northeastern
States the moving cause is manufactures of
various kinds and the mining of coal and iron
The immigrants are mainly Irish. German and
French Canadian, with some Welsh In the
Northwest the nriDoInaI
force. and Germans and Scandinavians are the
principal natiOnalities drawn from; while in
the extreme Western States and Territories
most of the immigration is due to gold and sill
yer mining, although agriculture and cattle rails
ing also play very important part In thirty five
States and Territories, including the District of
Columbia. natural increase has gained upon
immigration, while in but twelve is the reverse
the case. In the United States. as a whole,
there is a relative decrease of the foreign ele-
ment to the extent of 1916 on an assumed total
native population of 100000, showing that in
the whole country, as well as in a majority of
the States, native increase has gained upon
foreign immigration. The increase of the for
eign element has been in New England where
the growth has been in the direction Of manu-
factureS; in Dakota and in Oregon, whose
wheat fields have invited settlement, and in
Colorado and New Mexico, where an extraor-
binary development of the mining industry has
taken place since 1871.
Do-NoTHING CONGRESS.
From all indications this is to be do-nothing
session of Congress. Something practical may
be brought out of the consideration of the
Mormon question, and it seems there may be
passed new bankrupt law, which is greatly
needed; and a bill corrective of the Chinese
irruption will also in all probability be passed
But beyond these measures, there Is nothing of
striking Importance that engages the attention
of Congress or is at all likely to engage its at
tention, except the question of rebuilding the
navy, which is already so surrounded by con-
tractors jobbery that it is devoutly to be hoped
that under such conditions it will amount to
opinion on important issues, or rather
measures, to make this an interest
ing session. There is halt in
politics, and an awaiting for some
thing to turn up. So far politics has played
but very minor part in this session, and it
seems little to retain that obscure role The
only two measures of real Importance nation
questions of the tariff and of the reduction of
the internal revenue The relations between
the two are of such character that one goes
with the other. The ultra-protectionists favor
decrease of the internal revenue that they
may retain the present high duties. Those
who are In favor of reduction of the revenue
are also in favor of fair tariff They cannot
carry both; they cannet, except in a
few isolated cases, carry either. There
is thus a sort Of an Offset. Between the two
nothing will be done with either the one or the
other The whole sum and substance OF Inc
matter is that both political parties in Congress-
are on the anxious bench They do not snow
what to expect, and are, therefore, very care
full in doing anything. In comparison with
other Congresses, just think that the Conkling
Supreme Court nomination is the leading event
OF this session, so far.
DEPARTURE.
Do ID