Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1899-03-17
OF

$1,000
AsTORYO OF EXPANSION.
Tho difference between the United
States ct the moment that Census Di-
rector Merriam is about to begin the
decennial work of. computation and
that which his earliest predecessor saw
Is one Of the marvels of history. The
population Of the United States in
I790,at the time the first national count
was made, was, in round figures, $780,
O00! According to the statistical alb.
stract, which has just been issued by
the government, the population in 1898
was "A ,33998,OO0. 1t will be 77,5OO,ON by
the time that Mr.. Merriam's assistants
finish their work in 1900. When
Franklin, about a century and q quar-
tor ago, told England that the popula-
ton Of the thirteen colonies was doub-
ling every twenty-five years,and would
continue for many years to grow at
that rate, the world was startled and
incredulous. The old philosopher,
however, was not astray in his calcu-
lations. America for many decades
doubled its population at the rate he
predicted. It now doubles every thir-
teen years, for the population of 1870.
was, roundly stated, 3s,560,O00, while
that Of 1900 will be about twice this
figure.
For twenty years past the United
States has been the wealthiest nation
In the world. It is increasing faster in
wealth than any other nation. Its
growth in wealth exceeds that in pop
ulation, for while its increase in inhab-
itants is far more rapid than in any
other nation on the globe, the proper
ton Of money in the country is stead
lily gaining on it. In 1870 the wealth
per inhabitant was S18.73. It was e24.04
In 1880, s34.24 in 1890, and $3.50 in
1893. tits likely to be between CSC
and 81 in 1900. This growth in wealth
10 also without a parallel in the record
Of any other great nation. The amount
Of money in circulation likewise shows
q steady and rapid gain. This was
s2l.1O on July /, 1896. It was s22.49 at
the same date in 1897, and s24.71 at the
middle Of 1898. This increase is rend-
cred particularly remarkable by the
Circumstance that by the use of checks,
drafts and the other money economic
ing co%ntrivances, a dollar is now en-
ableds to do more work than twice or
thrice that sum could have done in the
early part Of the century.
At tho time the first head Of the cen
sus began his count the area Of the
United States was s27,s44 square miles.
It's now, exclusive Of Alaska, 3,025,600
square miles. Including Alaska, whose
area can be guessed at only approx
mately, and the recent acquisitions it is
about 100000 square miles. When
the first decennial count was made the
western border of the United States
wa the Mississippiriver, and its south.
.erlyline was a parallel which cuts across
the lower ends of the present states Of
Alabama, Mississippi and that projec
ton Louisiana which is east Of the
Mississippi river. All the territory
west Of the Mississippi at that time be
longed to Spain. and all the territory be
low the southerly line mentioned wal
owned by the same country. w.
spread to the Pacific and the Gulf o
Mexico long ago, and now stretch hun
dreds Of miles farther to the south ant
thousands of miles farther to the west
andShave besides taken in a large stril
to the northwest. The changes Of tn,
near future may be as amazing as thos,
which have occuredin the past. I'm
der the present rate of increase, which
doubles the population every thirty
years, there are children now living
who will see 3OO,OOo,O0o people in til.
United States in its present area, ever
IL the area does not itself expand il
the interval. twill be a striking con
tra1t which Census Director Merriam'
count will reveal from that which wa.
made when the first computation wa.
had, but even this may not prepare u.
forsthe marvels which q third or q hal
. century hence will disclose.
a
VOLUME XVII.
The Inter-O Ocean had hoped to b.
abs to celebrate the beginning of vol
umis seventeen BY resuming its forme
dx.column quarto size, printed from
IL new improved material. But tn
manufacturars Of the Crsnston news