St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-10-26
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WHY SMALL FAMILIES?

WHY SMALL FAMILIES?
The remarkable size of families in
the French districts of Canada, as spe-
cially Indicated in the response to the
offer in Quebec of 100 acres of land i'm
cases where the example Of the father
OF Israel is numerically followed, has
been a matter of much comment. 1t is
notable as prolific fact in itself. but
I has been given unusual attention in
contrast with the paucity of the rising
population in France. The matter was
under consideration at the last meeting
OF the French Academy of Science in
Paris, and the philosophy of the social
economy discussed. 1t was not believed
that immigration to Canada or any
proyidential considerations were i'll
fiuential factors in the contrast. Nor
was there any disposition to concede
that Frenchmen in France were any
less devoted to their land than their ex-
patriated brothers in the new world,
The tendency In The old country was
viewed with some apprehension, and
yet there was little disposition to incite
any radical change. The figures cited
slow decrease of marriages in France,
not exceeding now seven in thousand.
The condition is entered upon later in
life than Oh this side of the water, both
in Canada and the United States. The
average age of men is thirty years, and
for women twenty-five in France. The
births to marriages are constantly de-
creasIng, being but one to f0rty-tW
Inhabitants. To 100 families there are
born but nineteen children annually.
The births exceed the deaths by but
one in a thousand In Germany the
excess is more than ten in thousand,
and i'll Russia and England thirteen. In
the United States and Canada the sur
plus Is larger than in any of the
European countries. An occasional
great war will reduce the figures still
more and probably diminish the
population Of France. This would not
he regarded as undesirable by the
French scientists. Their philosophy
seems a strange one in a coun-
try when tie multiplication of num-
bers is made so nearly the index
OF progress and advancing civilization
as in this adOlescent phase of the
geographical heritage. These philoso-
pners at Paris pride themselves upon
having reached high plane in the
compiaceney with which they look
upon the evidences that their land is
to be stationary, if not retrograde in
population. 1t is even insisted that
other nations are growing too rapidly;
and, for their own comfort and pros
perlty, will be forced to look to
France as an example in this relation.
Aside from the need of keeping pace
with other great powers in military
strength, these philosophers do not deem
1t advantageous that their land should
be crowded with S0.000. 600 people rather
than that 4o,000.000 should have the en-
lOyment OF larger space, and perhaps
l,rger ratio of the material things Of ex-
iStence. To pad census would be
raving lunacy to them. But the people
who operate i'll the connubial relation
in France are not largely philosophers
OF the academy persuasion. They are
very generally prudent, and disposed to
look considerably after the things that
seem to them desirable IN life. They
w llOt OFlitSS Ill a III IOll
that leaves small room for sparkle
and recreation. While seeking to
have the bright side of life turned
TO themselves. they aim to make
provision for their children. Small
families require fewer divisions of the
means OF enjoyment. They can provide
freely for one or two children, but a
great number adds to the burdens of
life. and subdivides too infinitely for
the successors. That this SuTt OF philos-
ophy is not exclusively French is indi-
Gated in the older and Weather settle
ments of the East. Culture and the ac-
cretions of prosperity have had longer
operation in Massachusetts than else
where. and it is found that the higher
classes. as they are called, have as small
families as the French. This is not
credited TO physical deterioration, but
the prevalence of the prudent and es
sentally selfish disposition. AS the
means of enjoyment accumulate. the
disposition becomes stronger to take the
philosophic view that puts the individ-
ual before all general obligations.