The morning call., 1891-03-25
THE DRIFT TO THE CITIES.

The net results of the late census indi-
cate that the drift of population is toward
the cities AMI from the rural districts.
Wherever the figures are examined it is
found that, with few exceptions, it is the cities
which have gained population since 1880.
while in many rural districts there has
been a more or less clearly marked falling
off. in some Eastern cities curious con-
firmatiOnS Of this drift have been obtained
by inquiries into the nativity of workers in
cities. In New York, for instance, it seems
that over half the wolking-giris of American
birth were born outside Of the city and less
than half within it. The proportion is prob
ably less here, but still large number of
girls who are working in stores and work
shops came here from the rural Counties
The exploration is not far tc seek, though
the fact is not matter for rejoicing. In
many country villages and on farms young
men are often embarrassed to find work,
and girl cannot make money except by
raising rare vegetables or poultry, occupa-
lions which are eXacting and labOriOus;
while both boys and girls are brought up in
the belief that in the city light work is
abundant aud well remunerated. Then the
attractions of the city-in the shape of
theaterS, shows, balls and other diversions
are naturally alluring to young people.
Nothing of the kind exists in the rural
counties AmusementS of various sorts are
found in every large city and are scarce in
the country. Finally, it's supposed that mar
riageable young men are more numerous at
the centerS to which population gravitates
than at points where population is sLagnant.
For these. among other reasons, both young
men and young girls who propose to earn
their own living are apt to seek it in cities.
The French boys and girls flock to Paris,
the young men ana girls of Northern New
York State to New York City, and the boys
and girls of Shasta and Sacramento 70 the
bay
The result is not salutary either to the
newcomers from the country or to society
in the city. In the first place, such work as
raw boys and unframed girls can get in San
Francisco is scarce and ill-paid. Ii young
man has learned calling or a girl has
learned the trade of drsssmaker, if she is
a competent typewriter or a trained nurse,
or even an expert house servant, the one
and the other will soon fad employment at
a rate of remuneration which viii place
Them bevOnd the reach of want. But if
their stock in trade consists merely of their
udttNG VII anu q pan Va NIh'lh5 ht'tiAo hhCS
will find it exceedingly difficult to obtain
work which will feed anu cl0the them.
There are swarms of girls in this city now,
working in stores and workshops, whose
necessary expenditures, reduced to the low
est possible figure, consume the earnings
every week.
Country folk must always remember that
a dollar goes further in the country than it
INT nit H.y.,i
are unknown on farms. Everything costs
more in cities than in rural districts. Young
people are expected to dress better, and they
come to regard amusements as necessary
of life. 1t is possible to reduce the actual
cost Of eating TO a very small sum; but the
economy is practieed at the cost of health,
which is already impaired by long hours of
work, close confinement and deprivation of
fresh air and exercise.
There is eXagseration in the adage that
cities are excreseences upon the body poll
tic As rule the human Intellect attainS
its highest development in cities. But it is
undoubtedly true that those communities
flourish best in which the rural population
Increases as fast if not faster, than the pop
ulation of great towns. And the reason for
this is simple. The denizen of the country
is a producer, while the resident Of the city
is a consumer and distributor; and it is on
production, and not on consumption and
distribution, that prosperity rests. This is
one of the largest. and certainly the most
fertile State in the Union, but less than one
filth Of the arabic area of the State is under
cultivation, and the price of certain products
of the farm-Such as poultry, eggs and but
ter-is far higher than it is in Illinois or
Iowa. The fact implies a lack of labor in
the field. 1t is the normal consequence of
the drift of population from the country to
the cities. If that drift could be checked
the production of the State would be in
creased, the area under cultivation eK-
banded, the cost of living reduced and the
prosperity of all classes promoted.