The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1894-09-13
POPULAR INTELLIGENCE.


The latest census bulletin, relatinr
to i%lliteracy, is one of the most In.
teresting and instructive that hal
yet been issued. 1t shows, generals
speaking, that in 1890 there were
1924, 702 persons in the United
States over 10 years OF age, or more
than ID per cent. of the total popu-
lation, who could not read or write,
This, looks to be a remarkably large
number, considering the abundant
educational facilities of the country,
and 1t certainly is larger than Il
ought to be; but there are certain
mitigating features in the case. The
statistics include the colored people
and the foreign born whites, among
whom the greatest part of the illit-
eracy exists. That is to say, the
percentage of colored il~literates Ia
81 and of foreign illiterates 10, while
the proportion of native white illit-
crates is only a little over z per
cent. The showing is an improve
ment upon that of 1880 in the sense
that the general percentage Of illit-
eracy has been reduced 4 per cent.
Singularly enough, the colored peo-
pie have done better in this respect
than either the native or foreign
born whites, which goes to prove
that they r taking advantage OF
the schools in a very creditable
degree, and that the next generation
is likely to closely approach the
native white standard, at least in the
states where they are principally
located, for white as well as colored
illiteracy is most plentiful in the
south.
1t will surprise many people to
learn that the lowest rate of litter.
acy is not in New England, where
we might expect to find it, but in
what is sometimes derisively termed
"the wild and woolly west.n The
states lying west of the Mississippi
river all surpass those upon the
Atlantic coast and of the intermedi-
ate region. Nebraska stands at the
head of the list, with only 3 per
cent. of %illiterates, and Kansas,
Iowa, the Dakotas and Missouri
range from that to 7 per cent. This
is attributable in a considerable
measure, Of course, to the fact that
the New England and middle states
have contributed largely to the set
Element and development of these
newer states, and the foreign-born
population is greater comparatively
in the older portion of the country.
Nevertheless, it remains true, what
ever the explanation may be, that
the ratio of popular intelligence is
higher in the west than in the east.
This condition will become more
marked and effective in the next
ten years. The west attracts intel
ligence and enterprise by reason OF
the inducements that it offers over
sections that have utilized all of
their and absorbed all of
the opportunities of ordinary ampi-
ton. 1t is yet a land of magnificent
possibilities in all the activities of
life, and its progress is sure to be
attended by a steady lessening of the
proportion of citizens who lack the
advantage of education.
When we come to take separate
account of the foreign. born element
in this relation, we are confronted
by the melancholy fact that its illit-
eracy is increasing instead of dimin-
The rate in 1880 was lower
than in 1890, and there is good rea-
son to believe that the present stu
alton is still worse. This is the
result of our indifference with regard
to the extent and character of the
immigration to our shores from for
eign countries. We have allowed
the lowest classes of Europe-ignor-
ant and degraded Italians, Huns,
Poles and Bohemians-to flock here
in large numbers and to become a
part of our fixed population, without
any inquiry as to their fitness for
citizenship or any discrimination in
the interest of public safety and
prosperity. The effects of this care
less hospitality have been wildly
in our labor troubles, in riot
and bloodshed and menac of
anarchy. We are told by these cen
sus statistics why terrible strikes
occur, and troops have to be called
out to protect life and property.
llliterate foreign element fur
nishes the material for such disturb
ances. 1t is the inflammablc stuff
that is easily turned into a flame by
reckless and irresponsible leaders.
Where such a mass of ignorance
exists and increases, there must be
constant danger to the peace and
welfare of society; and there is
nothing else 30 much needed in our
craftsmanship to-day as a full real
ization of this peril and a proper
course of action to restrict and con
troll it.
POINTS ON NECKS.