The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-13
The Decreasing Death Rate.

A statement prepared by the Health De
partment shows that the death rate Of this
city has been lower this year than since
1884, though then It was low as compared
with the average of the preceding years.
Moreover, the number OF deaths has been
less actually than in any year since 1890.
though meantime the estimated population
OF New York has increased by more than a
quarter Of a million, or from 1.705, $50 in
1890 to 1857. 452 in 1894. II the mortality
for the remainder of the year be the same
as in the corresponding period of last
year, the total for 1870 will be less
than In 1909 by more than $500. The ex-
perience since January and the present con-
dition Of the city a. TO health indicate the
probability that this Is an overestimate OF
the mortality for October, November, and
December, and that actually the total num-
Der Of deaths in 1894 will be less thar in
1909 by toward three thousand. or not
much above the total for 1890, which was
40, 103. This would make the death rate,
or the mortality proportionately to 1000
in the population annually, about 81 in
1894 rs compared with 23.5l in 1890.
This decrease in the death rate has oc-
Cured, too, In spite Of the greater crowding
OF the city. The estimated increase of more
than 10000 in the population since 1890
has been made up chiefly of people who have
been distributed through the districts OF the
town which were already the most densely
inhabited. They have been In large part
Jews and Italians, the squalor Of whose
surroundings has provoked the special sym
patty Of tender-hearted philanthropists.
Ruf thpaa vital atatiattco pro,,a that thn,, $50
not suffering from restitution and that
they are not living under circumstances
prejudicial to health; for the death rate
among them is lower even than among the
part Of the population which is deemed the
most fortunate. Their crowded districts are
more healthful for them than is Murray Hill
for its inhabitants.
This is the case with the Jews, more espe-
cially, no matter how wretched their habi-
tations may seem to be. They have a better
chance OF life than the people who are most
envied for their prosperity. In every re-
spect the Jewish immigrants are far better
of now than they were in Europe. They
get higher wages, eat more and better food,
and live in more comfortable habitations.
They have done so well, az compared with
their experience before they came here, tina
they have conceived the ambition of doing
better still, and are striking for more pay.
Wages with which they were con tented
when they came to New York no longer
satisfy them after they have acquired the
tastes bred in them here, stimulated by OBJ
Of the manner of life Of the run
of American workingmen. Accordingly
they are now complaining Of conditions for
which before they rendered thanks in their
synagogues rs the fulflment of the promise
of GOD to His chosen people.
The Italians, also, are far better of in
New York than they were at home. Beg
gary is rare among them, to their credit he
1t said, and their remarkable industry finds
employment here at n reward that Is rich
compared to the pay to which they were
in Italy. A similar improve
ment has occurred in the material condition
Of the immigrants generally. They were
never so we'll off rs they are now
in this country. They were never so well
fed, no we'll housed, and so well paid
ms they are now. Their health Is guarded
by better sanitary regulations. But, very
naturally, the more they get the more they
That ambition for improvement in
them Is laudable; but It Is the consequence
Of improvement already secured, and not the
of lamentable restitution, which
80 much Of the philanthropic sentiment Of
the town imagines 1t to be.
When the death rate of New York falls
notably because Of the decreasing mortality
among these very people, their situation
cannot be deplorable, even II It is less lux
lrious than that Of inhabitants of the Fifth
avenue, among whom the rate is higher.