The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-02-02
OUR POPULATION.
Predictions of the Census for the
Coming Century by Director
General Merriam.

population is concerned, there is some
opportunity to make comparison
OF the year 1900 with the last year
OF the century about to end and to
show the enormous strides, not only
in the number of our people, but also
in the industrial and material situa-
ton, says w. r. Merriam, in the New
York Herald.
1t also affords to the speculative
mind an opportunity to peer into the
future, and prophesy. perhaps, with
that delightful uncertainty which
characterizes all prophecy, as to what
is in store for us in the year 1000.
We were fairly launched as nation
in 1900. with trifie over 100000
people scattered throughout the
states and western territories. Most
of the inhabitants engaged in pas
toral pursuits. There were no cities
of Importance, and comparatively few
OF the leading statesmen had any idea
OF the tremendous growth that would
come to us in the century just expir-
ing. 1t is hardly possible that the
eminent statesman and democratic
leader. jefferson, who laid down such
wise rules for the government Of tho
country. could have had the slightest
idea what would be the size or gov
eminent Of great city like Chicago
or New York in the year A. d. 1901.
Some Of the wise things attributed
to him do not seem to be adapted
to present conditions.
The count. which began in June
last. shows that we have, including
Alaska and the Hawaiian islands,
something more than rs, 100000 peo-
pie. All this in a hundred years! This
percentage of growth has been much
larger in Amcrica than in any im-
portant nation that prctends to take
n regular census. This is accounted
for in many ways, practically by the
invitation of all the countries of Eu-
rope to send their people here, that
homes would be granted and equal
opportunities afforded them. Thus
Immigration has largely accounted for
percentage of our increase.
The movement toward the west has
been constant. While all the agricul-
tural lands in the United States are
not taken up, yet Il considerable por-
ton OF them arc, and the tide must
soon turn back from the Pacific coast,
checked ON he western side of the
country by The ocean.
1t is not likely that the percentage
of growth will be us great in the ten
decades following as it has been in
the past. AS Il matter of fact, it is
we'll known that the increase in the
number OF people in congcstcd coun-
tries is very much less than in newer
! regions. For cxnmpIe, in Germany,
one of the strongest OF the great ma
tions OF tn" earth, the increase is
something like ! per cent. each
. decade; in England about the Same
and in France not to exceed two per
cent, SO that il is very difficult to
make Il hard and fast rule of increase
SO far as population is concerned.
think il is safe TO say that the
per cent. of growth in America will
gradually diminish during The next
hundred years. If, however, u rate OF
IS per cent. increase is continued. We
may look for something like 100000
600 people in the year 1000.
!; Prof. l'riichclt. formerly supcrin-
tendent of the Gurdctic survey, ESTE
mates that the year 1000 will find
Uncle Sans children numbering
} about 33O,o00,ooo. 1T is possible that
, the latter figure is more nearly cor
rect. There arc so many elements
that enter into the situation that it
is not possible to prophesy the popu.
lntion in the year 1000 with any de-
| gree OF accuracy.
The great cities of New York and
Chicago will undoubtedly continue to
increase, and increase with great ra-
| pidity. New York is likely to have
3o0oo,0o0 people at The end of the
next century, and Chicago in propor-
: ton.
The Indications point to Il remark
able expansion in our commerce. ow-
ing to tho increase Of trade with the
orient, and we may fairly indulge
| in the hope and belief that the vest
ern side OF the continent will en-
nance in population and material
growth in a proportionately larger
way than heretofore.
Naturally enough there should be
great shipbuilding and vast manufac-
turing enterprises growing out of the
trade with China and the Philippine
islands.
think one is justified in the belief
that great city, perhaps the eauiva-
lent of Chicago, will find resting
place on the sea on the western side
Of the continent in response to the
commercialism that is now ahead Of
us.
| While we will have new problems Of
: governmental policy confronting us.
, I am one of those who believe that
Z we shall solve, them rs we go along,
, and that our country will continue
, to offer the best opportunities in life
> for the greatest number Of people,
. and that u century hence we shall
: still be the greatest republic of the
l worlds history and continue in cur
( material and intellectual growth as
l foretold by the fathers.
i. How COrenns Pray.
| a ot,,,., in AL