The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-12-16
In one HUNDRED
YEARS OF CHANGE
THE WASHINGTON CENTENNIAL
SUGGESTS COMPARISONS.
Some idea of the Progress Which Has
Occurred in the United States Since
the Date Of the Death of the Father
of His Country.

In an article suggested by the recent
centennial of the death of George
Washington, a writer in the Chicago
imes-Herald says:
If II is to be wondered at that New
York city did not learn of Washing
tons death until five days after its
occurrence. and he then sleeping his
last sleep in the family tomb at Mt.
Vernon, why is il not a matter for
wonder also that at this time clocks
had just been invented and the pro-
duction of tinware in Connecticut was
looked upon as a dubious enterprise?
The United States then-much small
Ter in area than it is now-was almost
wholly agricultural. The pursuits of
the people were primitive. Manufac-
turers were almost unheard of. The
certainty that there would be repub-
lie finally established was Clouded by
the strong public feeling that limited
monarchy would be better and safer
England maintained penal laws
against the importation to this country
of Arkwright machinery for use in cot
ton work. The first cotton working
machinery used in Rhode Island and
Massachusetts was brought in sur
reptitiously. In some of the states
work in glass, iron and paper had
commenced. but the beginnings were
small and the profits smaller.
URBAN GROWTH.
There were but four cities in the
United States having Il population of
more than 0--PhilGdelphia, $1,000;
New York 33,000 Boston, $4,000, and
Baltimore. $1,000. Indications were IA
vorable to Boston remaining the me-
tropolis of the land. The country west
of the Allegheny mountains was given
over to France and Spain, except as
to the cession from Virginia, and it
was doubtful if the same would ever
be relinquished to the new nation. The
present population of Greater New
York and adjacent suburban cOmmu-
mites is now three-quarters of what
the population of the United States
was when Washington died. Ohio and
Illinois now contain more inhabitants
than did the whole United States in
1799 The Philippine Islands, Just come
into possession of the United States
in this year. 1899, contain nearly twice
as many inhabitants as did the Union
when congress assembled to mourn
over the loss of the man from Vir-
ginia. The population of the Union
has turned itself over nearly fifteen
times In the 100 years under COnsid-
Grafton.
The so-called large cities were sim
ole collections of frame houses, hav-
Ing extensive lawns, wide verandas,
no comforting heating accommoda-
tions, no internal water supply or toi-
let arrangements, sleeping rooms that
were like barns in temperature, tables
that groaned with good things to eat
Streets were narrow and practically
kept as paths. They We're unlghted,
and the walks after dark were narrow
and dangerous. Night Watchmen
patrolled the streets and called the
hours, but police protection was not
known. bucket brigades acted when
fire alarms were given. Cemeteries
were laid out about the churches Be
tween Boston and New York single
stage ran once a week, and that was
considered sufficient. Telegraph lines
were unknown, and the steam railroad
unheard of. When transportation was
discussed It was solely in the light of
canal construction. AS indicative of
what the trade situation was the fol-
lowing figures are given:
1899 1898
Imports ..... ...$23 100000 S $4,000 900
Exports ...... ..... 2OOOO,OOO 1,2l0,00O0 0O0
Revenues of the
government
17a9 1905
Expenditures of
the government:
1890 1SqS
Amount ............ $1,5OO,OOo s443, 900, 900
So slight were the receipts of the
government, and so precarious it's
means of subsistence that Washington
wrote. Sept. IA, 1899, as commander-in-
chief Of the army, to McHenry, secre-
tary of war:
81 am resolved to draw nothing from
the public but reimbursements of act
ual expenditures"
This then 100 years ago-now, for
1901 Secretary Gage estimates the
neds of the government at $631, 100000.
OF this sum $144, 100000 alone is needed
for the army and navy pensions and
for the maintenance of the war depart
ment, $3.50, ,0JJ,OOO.
PERSONAL WEALTH.
One is not apt in these days to re-
member that in this early period Wash
ington made himself one of the largest
land-holders in the country. nor that
when he died he was worth over a
half million of dollars. Yet we find
that he bequeathed to his heirs the
following acreage, with values at
tached: