The sun., 1900-12-30
STATE WITH THE SMALLEST CITIES.
North Carolina Has This Condition. but Is Not
Pleased with L..

North Carolina is one Of the thirteen origi-
nal States By the Irst national census. taken
in 1890, II stood third in population. being
exceeded only by virginia and Pennsyl
vana. and New York occupying fifth place
In 1880 North Carolina was NTH among the
twcnty-seyen States in populat on and In 1850.
when the number of States had risen TO
thirty-three North Carolina had tenth place
But Notwithstanding its early settlement
and the steady Increase Of population which
there has been since, by a peculiarity which
makes the Tar Heel exceptional among Aiueri
can States. North Carolina has no cities and
appears unable TO develop any city of the
first class, regardless of the great improve
ment in its railroad connections and recent
development of its factory interests
BY the census Of ten years ago. the total
population OF Wilmington. one of the Oldest
cities in the country. was 10000. of Raleigh.
the capital II. 600. and Of Asheville. a popular
resort for northern tourists, lOTN During
the pas, ten years North Caroline has enjoyed
u considerable share Of the general prosperity.
and in two particulars it Ia. had some unusual
advantages for the development of It's urban
population In 1894 there was a political
ovcrturn IN the State which brought a number
Of new men Of the younger generation to
the front in its politics and greatly enhanced
the importance Of its capital city, Raleigh
One Of the effects of this change was to sub
stitut" as its Senators IN Washington.
younger men for the veterans Vance and
Ransom, aho had been long in tho harness
The Republican senator. Pritchard. was
40 years OF age when elected, ana his col
league. Butler. was ?2
Another benei was found in the consolida-
tion OF the railroad systems running through
and connecting towns in North Carolina Up
"A la nlyh hA railR IL
DINA were small local lines. OF primitive con-
struction and unprogressive mana cement,
serving only the purpose Of bringing the
staple products OF the farming section Of the
State 10 market and furnishing local trans
portation TO travellers. though North Carolina
Ioiks are not great patrons OF the cars for
shoft rides when the hghroads are In good
condition. During the past ten years there
has been large increase in the cotton man
tabhshed as various points and along with
the development Of cotton manufacture there
mas been considerable increase in tobacco
nlaAing, much oi the very extensive product
(North Carolina ranks second To Kentucky
and ahead OF virginia in this respect, heing
finished within it, borders instead OF being
exported. as was formerly the case
But Notwithstanding these favorable con-
ditons for the growth OF lis cities North
arollna continues To occupy an insignificant
position IN this regard. last in the list of States
IN rs city population, fact recently Illus
trated IN Raleigh. the inhabitants Of which
claim large gain in population during the
past ten years. The Federal census when
completed gave Raleigh 1868 inhabitants
only. trining increase from the population
OF ten wears ago which was i2s3s Ac-
cordngy the Raleigh people demanded a
recount and II has just been finished by the
once dopartmcn' of that cIy the reason
Tor an independent census being local dis
satisfaction with the result of the Govern
inent census The returns. however, of the
local census are almost a. great a disap-
poih'men' as vas the Government onumera-
ton, for they show H. ga sidents within tha
CITY limits. or only 81 more than did the Gov
mont enumeration
population oi u. .00o for the capital of an
American state. which j. its rail-
road c"ntra a. well. j. most certainly nm
and II need therefore he no
occasion Tor surprise thai many North Caro-
ma persons should have come IN the opinion
'hai whatever other political destiny may be
IN store for tho Tsr Heel State it will never
rank high for its large cities