The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-06-12
TEXAS POPULATION.
An Estimate by Comparison That Shows
Over 100000 People in Texas.
10 the Editor of the Statesman:

over 5,OOO,OOO People In Texas.
70 the Editor of the Statesman:
Governor Ross i'll one of his speeches
during hia late visit North est mated
that under the next apportionment
Texas would have eighteen members
of congress.
This calculation was made, doubt
less, upon the basis of population of
about 100000.
AS the census enumerator is abroad
in the land it may not be amiss to
array few facts and figures in order
that people at home as we'll as abroad
may be prepared for the shock which
the result of the present enumeration
may cause.
The population of Texas, of all ages,
according to the returns of 1880, was
1,591 ,749.
The scholastic population OF that
year, as enumerated by the assessors,
was 21S,620. That was the number
of children from to IA years of age
inclusive. By extending the age to 16
few years afterward little less than
162 per cent was added, so that cal
culation on this basis would have given
the State scholastic population from
to 16 years of age of 255,OS3 in 1880.
The whole population then was
6 35-100 times larger than the scho-
lastic population.
The scholastic population for 1889
1880 not vet inn was 545,616, to
which, if we add 6 per cent increase
for this year, will give us scholastic
population for 1890 of 57S,352.
Calculating upon the same proper
ton as in 1880, with the added in
crease in school age, would give us a
total population in 1890 of 3,649, 4O1.
This would give us a representation in
congress IA instead of 18.
To make any difference in the pro-
portion there must have been an over
estimate by the United States census
enumerators in 1880, or else very
imperfect or great under estimate Of
the scholastic population by the
county assessors of the State, or since
1880 there must have been such q
change in the character Of the popula
ton as to make the proportion Of
children to the whole population vastly
greater now than it was in 1880.
| No one will admit that our popula
ton was overestimated by the United
States census takers in 1880. 1t may
be concluded that the county assessor;
underestimate the scholastic popu-
lation for that year, but the proper
Tomato increase in the number o
children under s years of age has been
as great. if not greater, than the pro
portional increase of the number from
to 16 years of age during Sha
period.
We may concede, however, tina
there is a large difference between
the proportions OF 1880 and 1890 large
enough to deduct 100000 from the
foregoing estimate and we would still
have a population of 3,O49, 4O1, sutfi
/, Gent to give us. twenty-one member
under the nex3 apportionment. To
recapitulate:
Scholastic population of 1880 be
tween s and 16 years of age, 300, OS3.
Scholastic population of 1871 be,
tween s and Is years of age, 57S,352
Percentage of increase in ten years
T 122.
5 Whole population in 1880, 1901,
749.
Whole population in 1890, estimated
. after deducting 100000 for deticienc!
of scholastic census in 1880, 3,O49, 4Ol
Percentage of increase after fore
going deduction, SO.
Whole population in 1880 % 3l-lO'
1855 0S3), 1881, $40.
, Whole population in 1890 % 22-lOC
x57S, $3.50, 3,049, 4O1.
If we apply this estimate to Austin
for 1889 it would give the city a popu
lation for that year of 2O,9Oo, t.
Travis county, including Austin
. 5000; to Galveston about 1900; to
San Antonio about $4,000, ETC., ant
-, this average will hold good with tn
ten largest cities of the State.
The Travis County Road association