The morning call., 1892-08-19
TIE DISAPPEARANCE OF WOMEN.

The last bulletin OF the Census Bureau
on population demonstrates the singular
fact that the female population is de-
clining. The number of males In 1890
was -. 067, $50 and the number OF females
S0,5J4, $40. so that if the same proper
ton Of each sex reach maturity there
will some day be l.513,510 men who will be
unable to get wives unless they import
them The female deficit is growing decade
by decade. In 1870 there were 97.S01 fe-
males 10 every 100 eco males. In 1880 there
were 1854, and in 1890 only %, $50. At this
rate In few more decades the disparity
between the sexes will be as marked as it
is in China, where they drown a certain
proportion of the female children to save
the expense Of bringing them up.
The excess Of males is not common to all
the States. In the following States, TO wit:
Connecticut, New Hampshire. Massachu-
sets. Rhode Island, North Carolina, South
Carolina, New York, Virginia, Alabama,
Maryland, Georgia, New Jersey, Louisiana,
Tennessee, Pennsylvania and Maine, the
females exceed the males, the excess being
most marked in Massachusetts and Rhode
Island. Thus 1t may be said, generally,
that in the New England States, the Middle
States and most OF the Southern States
females preponderate. On the other hand,
in all the States west of the river valleys
and III several Of the Southern States males
are 80 largely in excess that the Eastern
preponderance of females is overcome and
a net deficit of females is shown for the
whole country. The Pacific Slope appears
to be particularly short in women.
For instance, in 1890 California contained
70OO59 men to sos. OH women, Oregon 49,
Cd0 mar, m fQI xUnuap opd
1862 men TO 1888 women. Thus this
coast is short 327, 635 women to make the
sexes equal ID numbers. and there would
seem to be an opening for that number of
eligible young ladies from the East, unless
the daughters OF the soil can persuade the
Legislature to adopt measures to prevent
competition in the matrimonial market. It
is comfortable TO observe that matters are
mendng on the coast, and that the glut Of
males is being gradually overcome. Twenty
years ago 100000 men In California had
only $1,000 women; ten years ago they had
e6,673; now they have 72,575, few, too few.
oil course, but still an Improvement on the
famine of 1870.
1t was shown in this column few months
ago that in every country about an equal
number OF male and female children are
born into the world, no matter what the
condition or circumstances of their parents.
Where, therefore, we find a marked dis
crepancy between the male and female pop
ulation it is in order to inquireits cause. 1t
Is easy to explain the preponderance of
males over females In the States west OF the
rivers. New settlers In those States came
TO seek their fortunes and le # their sisters
behind them. But how is the large and
growing deficiency Of females In the popn-
lation of the country at large to be ac-
counted for? Is the disproportion be-
tween male and female immigrants from
Europe sufficient to explain The phenome-
non2
In ancient times when war was the chronic
condition OF nations females were generally
III excess of males in consequence of the
larger destruction Of male than female life.
This has always been considered one of the
chief causes Of the decentralization Of society