The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-27


and prove the truth of the above state
ment.
Scranton has never experienced a
BOOM" From the time of its incor-
poration as city, IT has grown steadl-
ly, each year increasing in population,
wealth and permanency. It's resources
were and are still 80 great that 1t does
not require rcmancing or vain words
which give one that tired feeling. and
carry so little weight with them.
Scranton Is not only rich in material
things, but in the culture and refine
ment of her people. Its educational in
stitutions, both public and private,
are of the highest order, and are being
increased IN an intelligent manner
year by year as the requirements Of the
people demand. Scranton has at the
present time thirty-seven public school
buildings, nearly all OF which are new
and modern. Its high school, just
completed, is without doubt, the finest
building Of the kind to be found in
America costing over 100000. Alto
gether the public school buildings of
the city cost one and a quarter mill
lion of dollars. These schools are
equipped with corps OF professors
and teachers second to none In the
country. The writer had the honor to
be a member OF the board of control
for a term Of four years, and he be-
lleves he knows whereof he writes.
There Is no school district in America
that will excel that of the city of
Scranton, either IN the efficiency of
its teachers or in the character Of it's
buildings.
Things which go to add to the pleas
ures Of life. such as music. literature
and the drama, are cultivated here in
the highest degree, and are enjoyed by
the masses of the people.
Things which are necessary TO life
are here in abundance, and as to quail
ity and price, compare favorably with
other cities Of its size.
Scranton is the METROPOLIS Of the
great anthracite coal fields of Amcri-
ca, and it is from this abundant re-
source that it has acquired much of
it's wealth,
Its manufacturing interests are vast
and varied, not less than S25,000OO0
being thus invested viii A~Hs not in
clude that invested in the IL. ing of
coal. Thirty thousand men, boys and
girls are employed in its many fac
tories mills and shops. The laboring
population is law-abiding, frugal, and
therefore prosperous and happy, well
clothed and fed. The advantages of
our public school system, with it's free
text books, give ample opportunity for
a good common school education to
those who are not able to attend col
lege. These advantages are appreClat-
ed by the people, and as a result a large
percentage of the children of Scranton
are being educated.
The population of the city of Scran-
ton increased from 9,223 in 1860. to 35,-
092 in 1870. This period was the first
stage Of the city's wonderful growth.
The next ten years showed gain in
population of only 10000. This was
owing to the panic of 1873 and the
great strikes of 1877, which were the
means of retarding the growth Of cv-
cry city and town in the great Key
stone state, and paralyZed industries
all over the country. In 1890 the pOpu-
lation of Scranton had almost doubled,
and at the present time, 1897, it has
within it's borders an estimated pOpu-
lation of 10000.
Within the recollection of the writer,
who has been a resident of the city
thirty-one years, a wilderness has
been transformed into a modern city.
He has seen high and massive business
blocks of iron, stone and brick take the
place of low wooden shanties. He has
played ball, skated and enjoyed all
sorts of outdoor sports in the open
fields and marshes, where today stands
some of the City's lAOst substantial and
handsome public buildings, notably the
court house, postoffice and board Of
trade building. Certainly the mar
velous and substantial growth, thrift
and enterprise Of the city of Scranton
probably is without peer among the
cities of the country" and today
Scranton is known throughout the
length and breadth of the country as
the most progressive and enterprlsing
city in the state OF Pennsylvania Of
which she is the fourth city in popu-
lation.
Scranton was the first city east Of
the Mississippi to adopt the electric
street car system, and today this pow
er Is in general use on all Of III street
car lines in the city.
Scranton is also known as the best
lighted city in the country. over
700 arc lamps illumine its streets by
night and cast their brilliant and
pleasing light over the most remote
and distant parts Of the city Thus
Scranton was dubbed the Electric
City" and is so known wherever its
fame has reached
The religious institutions Of the city
have not been forgotten or neglected
during this period of wonderful growth.
They are the very foundation of it,
successful past, and they stand as a
bulwark to guard its promising future.
Scranton has within its limits seventy
churches, of nearly every name and
denomination. Many of them are fine,
spacious structures, Some of them
are elegant in all of their appoint
ments, and for architectural beauty
cannot be surpassed in any city in the
land. Some of the brightest minds
adorn their pulpits, and Sunday after
Sunday expound the truth TO pews
filled with willing and interested Ifs
teners.
Scrsnesa'% cree public libraries are
another scarce of pleasure and intel
lectual gain TO its inhabitants. The
Albright Memorial Library is an insti-
tuition of which any city might WEI
feel proud. II was erected by the heirs
and in memory of the late j, j, AL
bright, who was honored and high
ly respected citizen of the city. The
library is equipped with $4,000 volumes,
and its ate librarian and his corps Of
ass,stants are kept busy exchanging