The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-11-01
HOW LARGE WE HAVE GROWN.
The Census Shows the u. S. to
Have 81, 48o,54O People.
An Increase i'm Ten Yenrs OF Ic,3aiS5s
Being Percentage OF 24.5s--The Bar-
barous Census of ISsO--Vircinia's
Population 1.6iS,9If.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31-ISpecialI Tho
twelfth census bulletin. issued today.
says;
The population or the United States
on June l. 1890, as shown by the first
count of persons and families. exclusive
OF white persons in the Indian territory.
Indians on the reservation and in Alas
lla. is c.. 4sO, $40.
These figures may be slightly charged
by later and moro exact compilations,
but such changes will not DO material.
In 1850 tho population was 30. l55,7S3;
absolute increase of population in the
ten years intervening is l., 32G,157 per-
centage of increase, 3i57.
In 1870 the population was stated as
3S,55s,371
According to these figures tho absolute
increase in the decade between 1870 and
1880 was 1857, 4l2, and the percentage
OF increase zoos.
Upon their face these figures show
that tho population has increased be-
tween 1880 and 1890 only 797,345 more
than between 1870 and 1880.
The white rate Of increase has appar-
emily diminished from 30.Os 10 past per
| cont.
| If these figures were derived from cor
| rect data, they would be indeed disap-
pointing. Such reduction in the rate
OF increase in the face Of tho erroneous
immigration during the past ten years
would argue dimunition in the fecun-
dity of population or corresponding in
crease in its death rate
| These figures, however. arc easily OK
planned when the character of tho data
| is understood.
1t is wcll-known fact. having been
demonstrated by extensive and thorough
! investigation. that the census of 1870
was grossly deficient in the Southern
states. so much SO as to not ONLY give
an eNaGgcra ted ratc of increase of pop
ulation between 1870 and 1850 in these
States, but to affect vcry materially the
rate OF increase in tho country These
omissions wcro not the fault, nor were
they within the control of the census Of
fee.
The census of 1870 WAS taken under =
law which Supcrintcndcnt-GcnC Fran
els y. Walker characterized as clumsy.
antiQuatcd and barbarous'
Tho census Office had no power over
Its cnumcrators save barren protest.
and this right was even questioned in
some quarters. In referring to those
omissions, the superintendent OF the
tenth census said III his report in r,la-
ton 10 the taking of the census in
South Carolina: sit follows, IA the con-
clusion OF the highest authority. either
that the census of 1870 was grossly de-
fec.ive in regard to the whole State. or
some considerable parts thereof. or else
that the census Of 1850 was fraudulent
Those, tn .rcforc, who believe in the
accuracy and honesty OF the tenth con
Sns-and that was thoroughly cstal-
llshcd-must accept the other altcrMa-
tive offered by General Walker namely,
that the ninth census was grossly
| lcfcc:;vc"
WHAT was true OF South Carolin. wa;
also true, in u greater or less degree. OF
all the Southern States
There is, Of course, 40 means OF asccr-
tanning accurately the extent OF these
omissions, but, in all probability, they
amounted to not less than 800, 600.
There is but little question that the
population of tho United States in 1870
was at least 10000, 900 instead OF as.
55S,39l, as stated. If this estimate of
the extent Of the omissions in 1870 be
correct, the absolute increases between
1870 and 1850 was only about 10 600. 0t @
and the rate OF increase not far from %
! per cent.
The following table shows population
OF tho several States, as found by the
census enumeration of 1890:
United States, population in
lS'o. 62,iS0, $40
North Atlantic Division in
la'o. 1861 ,429
Maine. 6G0, aGl
Ne" hampshire. ........ 375,S
vermont. ................. 3D.. POS
NiaSsachuSctts.. ........... 2,233, 407
hh'"!e Island. ............. 3l5, 3i3
'ohhecticut ............... AS, Sol
Ne" OH ................ 5.9Sl 1874
NC" Jersey. ................ l.l4l,0l7
pennsylvania .......... 5oI35lO
South Atlantic Division. ss36 -5o
l'titMstIO ttT