The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-30
OF FOREIGN BIRTH
WILL BE ASKED TO PAY HEED TO
THE CENSUS ENUMERATORS.
The Class OF Statistics That Will BE
Gathered-The Work Will Be
Begun To-MorrOw.

Few questions asked by the Census Of
fee are of more Importance than those re-
garding the place of birth of the individual
and his parents. There is no great coun-
try which has received so many immigrants
and lost SO few emigrants as the United
States. 1t is doubtful whether more than
100000 Americans by birth are living out
side of the United States. while the num-
Der Of persons of foreign birth living in
the United States is probably ten million.
In the coming census the enumerators
will endeavor to ascertain where each per-
son, and the parents of each person, were
born; and, IL the person was not born in
the United States, in what year he came
to this country, the number of years he
has been here. whether he has been natur-
allied or not, and IL not, whether he has
taken out naturalization papers.
WHAT IS SHOWN.
TIL tables made from the answers to the
inquiries respecting birth place show the
number and distribution Of the foreign
born residents of the United States, the
number of them born in each of the great
countries, the amount of intermarriage be-
tween these foreigners and the natives, the
~ NV NAO eCttAO 49,
the cities and those who seek the country.
their ability to read and to speak English,
and the law-abiding character of the popu-
lation. 1t is sometimes said, for instance,
that crime is specially common among the
foreign population. But this statement can
not be supported by the census figures.
Few crimes are ommitte by persons un-
der fifteen years of age, and vast numbers
or the natives are under that age and,
therefore, cannot commit crime. When
comparison is made between the native
prisoners and the natives over fifteen years
or age, and the foreign prisoners and the
foreign population over fifteen years of
age, one finds hat the proportion of per-
sons in prison is about so per cent greater
among the natives than among the for
eign-born population.
census figures is that immigrants move but
a comparatively short distance. The
Canadian immigrants live mainly along the
Canadian frontier and the Mexicans mainly
along the Southern boundary. Thus in 1890
the Canadians were in a plurality among
the foreign born in Maine. New Hampshire,
Vermont, Michigan. Montana and Wash
were in a plurality in New Mexico and
Arizona The Germans, however, have
spread all over the United States and were
In a plurality among the foreign born in
twenty-six States and Territories.
A NATTER OF PRIDE.
To the several foreign born elements II Is
a matter of pride and interest to know the
number of persons of their nationality in
the United States and their general eco
nomic condition. IL 1890 there were more
than 9.0O0,000 residents in the United States
who were born in foreign countries. OF
this number about 30 per cent. were born
in Germany, 20 per cent. in Ireland and
about 10 per cent. in Canada and New
foundland. From 1921 to 1880 the United
Kingdom contributed So per cent. of the
total immigration to the United States and
Germany 80 per cent. In the decade 1881
to 1880 the immigrants from the United
Kingdom constituted only % per cent. of
the total immigration, the proportion from
Germany being slightly less. In the ten
years 1861 to 1870 the combined immigra-
ton from Austria, Hungary, Russia, Po-
land and Italy constituted only l per cent.
of the total immigration. In the decade
1881 to 1890 this proportion rose to IL per
cent, and in the nine years 1S91-99 to more
than GA per cent.
People of the United States are all immi-
grants or the descendants of immigrants.
A proper pride oil the part of recent immi-
grants in the and of their birth and a rea-
sonable desire to secure that recognition
which is due to their numbers and i'm
%portance should lead all persons of foreign
birth to welcome the census enumerator
and TO answer his questions willingly and
accurately.