The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-10-08
MINNESOTA,S GROWTH

Secretary IL. H. Young, Of the state
board of immigration, has made
special study of the recent census of
Minnesota, and compared the figures
with those Of other years. His deduc.
tiODs are of more than ordinary inter-
est. A summary Of the facts, which
will be brought out more in detail by
Mr.. Young IN an address before thu
Wadena Agricultural society, is rs fol-
lows: "rhe increase of population in
Minnesota from 1850 to 1860 was at the
rate Of 9,79O per cent, or al average Of
273 per cent per annum. During the
following ten years the aggregate rate
of increase was little more than 155
per cent. or Is per cent per annum.
From 1870 to 1880 the rate was 1T per
cent in the aggregate, or II per cent
per year; and since 1880 the annual rate
of increase has been 9.6 per cent. If
the rate that has prevailed since 1880 is
maintained till 1890 the state will then
contain 4 population of 800 600, or
nineteen persons to the square mile.
The present density is 1873 to the
square mile. That of Virginia in 1880
was 377; of New York, 1867, and Of
Massachusetts 221.S. Eleven years
seven months and twenty days will be
sot. to double itself at the present rate
of increase; thirty:three years to attain
the density that Virginia had in 1880;
III years to equal that Of New York,
and 263 years TO become rs crowded AS
Massachusetts. 1t will not be practi-
cable to maintain the above rate of i'm
migration till 1890, as available cheap
lands are already becoming cempara-
lively scarce in the state. The annual
exports of agricultural products. at
their values on the farms where pro-
duced. average S54 worth to every man.
woman and child in the state. and 1924
worth to every individual engaged in
agriculture. The increase of wealth.
On the basis of the assessed values of
property, and exclusive of railways and
nOn-taxable property, was IL I per cent
per annnm during the decade ending
with 1860; 20 per cent during the next
decade, aud about l24 per cent per year
since 1880 The value of property per
inhabitant. on the same basis. was: In
1850, S2l3 50: in 1870, S33n.51. and in
lSS5 about 1888 In 800 the state had
no railways; i'm 1870 there were ,0924
miles; in 1850 the number of miles had
increased - 3. .G99s; and there are now
il operation some 1880 miles. The
railroads cost nearly $3.50, ,N,O, ,OGO. From
these and other data Mr. Young shows
that the state has ei'jnyed and is enjoy
ing degree Of prosperity far beyond
what fell to the lot "f the older states,
and then proceeds to give what seem
tO him to hp the causes Of her pros
f'erity. Prominent amongst these. Ot
co.. rse. are MinneSota'S superior facili-
ties for transportat ion. both by water
and rail l-St. Panl Pioneer Press.
Ard these superior transportation
facilities will put Minnesota in the lead
Of all the newer western states and
keep her there Ten years ago the AD
VANCE WAS ut it from week to week
with sleeves ,olk'd mp, showing th'
superiority Of Minnesota's position a!
the water state, the summit state ant
the pivot state Of the west. showing
that the two great water ways of til,
continent (the lakes and the Missis
sippi) originated in this state and pu
US ut the head of navigation on the in
terror water ways of the continent
that while Minnesota equalled state:
like Iowa and Kansas as an agficul
tural state, it must tar surpass them Al
a commercial state, and also as a man.
ufacturing state. owing to her fifty O.
more rivers which furnish water pOwe
for manufacturing; that Minneset'
must build up one of the great cities o
the continent owing to her commercla
advantages, while states like Iowa an
Kansas could never build up grea
city or commercial centre. All this i
true, or coming true, and it may b
we'll to refresh the memory of ou
readers upon these points to confirm
their confidence in the superior advan
tages and future greatness of Mime