Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-06-11

2Sth that the census office announce,
the population. This first annouce
ment underwent some notifications
but finally, the figures destined to stant
were reached, viz: 62,262, ,250. TIL,
count of 1890 showed 8, 1929. PA, max.
ing the increase of century nearly
sixleen-fold. Prof Walker consider.
otner matters in connection with oul
rapid growth but dwells mainly upon
the probability Of the correctness Of
the figures we have given above. AS
soon as announcements were made OF
the population OF some of the large and
growing cities of the west there was a
complaint at once that the work had
been done imperfectly. In some cases
new counts were ordered by the census
bureau, and some cities made an inde-
pendent count. Where variations We're
found, in some explanations could easi-
ly be made, in others, as in the case of
New York city, it was more difficult
to do away with the difference. Prof.
Walker shows how both the police
count ard the national enumeration
may have been correct. He asserts
that with this execution, no more exter-
nal evidence can be brought against
the eleventh than against any preced-
ing census. As to internal evidence
against the eleventh census the work
of compilation is not far enough along
to determine whether any exists. The
of the last enumei alton is
to be determined largely by the birth
rate of the last ten years as compared
with former decades. Says the Prof,
''with the number of people resident in
the country in 1880, and with the num-
ber of foreigners arriving since that
date, the population of 1890 must, had
its previous rate of natural increase
been maintained, have far exceeded
62, 500, 900. Here we see the way in
which the census, if grossly imperfect,
will be compelled TO furnish the mate
rial for its own condemnation. Should
he proportion of the total population
under ten years of age be the same as
i was in 1sS0-namely, 26 l-2 per
census will be discredited.
With all who survive from the fifty
millions of 1880, with all who survive
rom the five and a quarter millions of
oreigners that have come into the
during the decade, and with
sixteen and half millions of children
lnder ten years of age, the total of 62,-
500 for 1890 cannot be correct. Should
IN the other hand, the falling off in the
birth rate during the past decade prove
o be such as corroborates the census,
I will still be most interesting to note
wo things: 1, whether the retardation
f the birth rate has extended geograph-
cally, westward and southwark, 2,
whether it has included the foreign as
veil as the native element" During
he early decades of the century, esti-
mates were made as to the probable in
rease from decade to decade. Some
{ these were quite close up to 1850,
yhen new elements entered in to upset
There was rapid in
rease in commerce and manufactures
bout 1850, consequent upon the gold
of California and Australia.
hen came the war of '6l. Since the
-ar period there have been times when
le influx of foreigners has been very
reat. Had the rate of increase up to
$50 been carried along without break.
lie population of the country would
ave been about 100,000,000 at the 8
I'd of this century. As it is it win
II short of that figure about 20,000,- !
%. 1t is probable that the discovery
i'll be made that the birth-rate has /
lien behind the death-rate sufficient 4
II cent. to keep down the increase
ON foreign population. 1t is certain, d
,wever. that the country is growing t
st enough. We have more people '
an we can civilize. v
Congressman VIM. Mckinley, Jr., of a
no is to spend the month OF August at n
e Brooks House, Brattleboro. Z
- 5o= .-~- q